Pele, a legend in Brazil, appears to be losing a grueling battle against cancer in a shocking video shared by Golaut official on YouTube as he sadly bids his loved ones farewell.
The three-time world champion’s health has gotten worse as portrayed by the viral footage in which he was seen having trouble breathing.
The 82-year-old was admitted to the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo on November 29, 2022, and recently spent Christmas Day there after having a colon tumor removed in September 2021.
His children vowed to stay by his side as the football icon receives care in the hospital as his cancer worsened. Due to how deteriorated his health condition has become, the family members have gathered in the hospital to stay with him.
In the leaked video titled “Pele says goodbye to family and friends from the hospital bed,” the legend could be heard mumbling a message.
Also, in a tweet, British entrepreneur and sports manager Frank Khalid stated, “Pele says goodbye to family and friends from the hospital bed. Football legend, Pele is slowly losing the battle against cancer, family says ‘his condition is worsening even further’”.
One of Pele’s former adversaries, Romario, has also sent his good wishes for the Brazilian football star.
While addressing Ge Globo, Romario said “King, get better. So much trust. The whole world is looking and praying for you. Improvements! I kiss your heart.”
Pele
Brazilian retired professional footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento (born October 23, 1940) was a forward.
He was among the most prosperous and well-known athletes of the 20th century, and FIFA even referred to him as “the greatest” player of all time.
He was named the International Olympic Committee’s Athlete of the Century in 1999, and ‘Time’ named him one of the 100 most influential individuals of the 20th century.
Pelé was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award in 2000 and was chosen by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) as the World Player of the Century.
Including friendly, he scored 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which is recognized as a Guinness World Record.
At age 15, Pelé joined Santos, and at age 16, he joined the Brazil national team. He was the only player to win three FIFA World Cups throughout his international career, in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
After the 1958 match, he earned the moniker O Rei (The King). With 77 goals in 92 games, Pelé is tied for the most goals scored by a Brazilian.
He has 643 goals in 659 games, making him Santos’ all-time leading scorer at the club level. He guided Santos to the 1962 and 1963 Copa Libertadores as well as the 1962 and 1963 Intercontinental Cup during a prosperous period for the team.
Pelé is credited with introducing the expression “The Beautiful Game” to football. His “electrifying skill and fondness for spectacular goals” made him a global celebrity, and his teams traveled abroad to capitalize on his fame.
During his playing career, Pelé held the title of highest-paid athlete in the world for a while. Since his retirement in 1977, Pelé has acted in numerous films and ventured into business. He also serves as a global ambassador for football.
He was chosen as the New York Cosmos’ honorary president in 2010.
