Pele: Brazil football legend back in hospital as he fights cancer

Brazilian football legend Pele is back in hospital, according to his daughter.

But in an Instagram post, Kely Nascimento also said there was “no emergency”, as he continues to fight colon cancer.

She said he had been admitted so that doctors could regulate his medication.

She wrote: “Lots of alarm in the media today concerning my dad’s health. He is in the hospital regulating medication.

“There is no emergency or new dire prediction. I will be there for New Years and promise to post some pictures.”

The football star had a tumour removed from his colon in September 2021 and has since been in and out of hospital for treatment on a regular basis.

ESPN is reporting the 82-year-old had been admitted to Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo with “general swelling” and was having cardiac issues.

And medics were concerned that chemotherapy treatment was not having the expected results.

Pele is to have further tests for a more in-depth assessment of his health issues, it added.

His manager and the hospital did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Pele is arguably the greatest footballer of all time.

He burst on to the global scene as a 17-year-old at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil to the first of their record five successes.

Injury affected Pele’s contribution to the 1962 and 1966 finals, but he led Brazil to a third triumph, this time in Mexico in 1970 as part of what is widely regarded as the greatest international team of all time.

Brazil‘s leading scorer, with 77 goals in 92 matches for his country, he embodied the idea of football as “the beautiful game”, one played with skill, speed and imagination.

There is much dispute over the number of goals overall he scored during his career, which Guinness World Records puts at 1,279.

However, critics believe that figure is too high, boosted by hundreds scored in friendlies and practice matches.

Including those, he scored at almost a goal a game throughout his 22-year career.

Others put his total at 757 goals, although his main club, Santos, says his tally was closer to 1,000.

In 2013, he was awarded the FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur (award of honour) in recognition of his career and achievements.