Footballing legend Pele has given a reassuring update on his health after reports claimed that he was receiving end of life treatment.
Brazilian news outlet Folha had yesterday (3 December) claimed that the Brazilian icon had been moved to palliative care and his chemotherapy treatment to treat his colon cancer had been suspended.
The reports sparked a worldwide concern, with tributes and well wishes to the former footballer pouring in from across the world.
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French forward Kylian Mbappe urged people to 'pray for the king', while England captain Harry Kane hailed Pele as an 'inspiration' as well as an 'incredible footballer' and an 'incredible person'.
However, Pele has now responded to rumours of ill health and his message appears set to alleviate some of the concerns people had been having about him.
Word from the hospital he is staying at also looks set to soothe some of the fears the footballing world might have been having about Pele.
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A statement was released on Pele's Instagram page appealing for calm and insisting that he was still following his usual treatment.
It said: "My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive. I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual.
"I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received. I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup too!
"Thank you so much for everything."
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A previous post on the footballing legend's Instagram had said he was going to the hospital for his monthly visit, making his time in hospital a regular appointment rather than a sudden health scare.
The hospital Pele is being treated at has also issued a positive update on the footballer's health, with Sao Paulo's Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein making their own statement.
It said: "Edson Arantes do Nascimento was admitted to the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein last Tuesday for a reassessment of chemotherapy therapy of the colon tumour, identified in September 2021.
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"He is still undergoing treatment and the state of health remains stable.
"He has also had a good response to respiratory infection care, with no worsening of the condition in the last 24 hours."
Pele is one of the most famous and successful footballers in history, winning three World Cups during a glittering career where he is thought to have scored over 1,000 goals.
Topics: News, World Cup, Football, Celebrity, Sport, World News
Joe Harker