Pele's Cancer Worsening as Brazil Soccer Legend's Heart and Kidneys Are Affected

Pele is considered the most iconic soccer player to ever come out of Brazil. To Brazilians, he is not just a soccer legend, but also a national treasure. However, his battle with cancer may have gotten a turn for the worse.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, best known as Pele, was back in the hospital to regulate his cancer medication on Wednesday. However, a doctor from the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo released a statement, saying that the Brazilian national treasure's cancer has advanced.

He has now been placed under "elevated care" as he has now gotten "kidney and cardiac dysfunctions." In other words, his heart and kidneys have now been affected.

The Associated Press reported that a local Brazilian newspaper claimed that Pele's chemotherapy was not working and doctors have already decided to place him on palliative care. However, Pele's family denied the newspaper's reporting, and the Associated Press stated they could not confirm whether or not the newspaper's report was true or not.

Pele's Family Would Not Be Celebrating Christmas at Home

Pele's daughter Kely Nascimento, revealed that her father is now in a common room at the Albert Einstein Hospital. On a social media post, she wrote that her family decided not to celebrate Christmas at their home. She added that the doctors suggested that it would be better for them to stay at the hospital for Christmas.

According to GOAL, she remained positive as she thanked fans from around the world for their support. She then joked that they were turning the room into a Sambódromo or a Brazilian parade area. However, she added that she was not kidding about caipirinhas, or Brazil's national cocktail, in that room.

The BBC reported that Pele had a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021. Ever since he has been receiving regular treatment. Aside from cancer, the soccer legend is also suffering from heart conditions. He was also recently hospitalized due to a COVID-19 complication caused by his cancer treatments.

Pele's Legacy in Brazil Is Unmatched

Pele gained worldwide acclaim during the 1958 World Cup at the age of 17 when he became the youngest player to not just play in the World Cup final, but also the youngest player to score goals twice. He and Brazil went on to beat Sweden on their home soil.

He won three World Cup tournaments, including the 1958, 1962, and 1970 World Cups. He is also the only player to win three World Cups and has been nicknamed O Rei (The King) after winning it for the first time in 1958.

He started his professional career in Santos at the age of 15, and has stayed with the team until his first retirement. He has gotten so big that the biggest clubs in Europe tried to sign him, but he was so popular in Brazil that President Jânio Quadros declared him an "official national treasure" to prevent him from signing with other teams.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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