The triple world champion "presents stable vital signs (...), without complications" and continues to be treated "in a normal room", without the need to be placed in intensive care, explained the Albert Einstein hospital of Sao Paulo in his latest medical bulletin.

"The state of health (of Pelé) is gradually improving, especially with regard to the respiratory infection" for which he was also treated.

According to his family, this infection is due to contamination with Covid-19 contracted three weeks ago.

Two of his daughters, Kely Nascimento and Flavia Arantes, gave an interview to TV Globo on Sunday to deny rumors of a deterioration in his state of health.

"He is not at risk, he is in treatment", explained Flavia Arantes, before adding: "We are tired of receiving condolences".

The man who many consider to be the best player of all time was hospitalized on November 29 for a reassessment of his chemotherapy treatment followed after the detection of a colon tumor in September 2021.

On Monday, Pelé posted on Instagram a message of encouragement to the players of the Brazil team which faced South Korea in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and revealed that he would watch the match at hospital.

After winning the match 4-1 with an attacking festival, Neymar and the other Seleçao stars unfurled a blue banner on the lawn with the famous celebration of the "King" in the corner after his goal in the 1970 edition final. the raised fist.

Football fans take pictures with the statue of King Pelé on December 6, 2022 in Doha, on the sidelines of the 2022 World Cup © ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP

"It's difficult to talk about this, but I wish him the best, that he recovers as soon as possible. I hope we brought him comfort with our victory," Neymar told TV. Globe.

The Brazilian has also received many messages of support from football personalities, such as the star striker of the France team Kylian Mbappé, who asked to "pray for the King".

It was alongside Mbappé that Pelé made one of his last public appearances, in April 2019, in Paris.

He had to be admitted to the American Hospital in Neuilly (western suburb of Paris) for a severe urinary tract infection, before going directly to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on his return.

At the end of 2014, Pelé had already suffered a serious urinary tract infection and was placed in intensive care and on dialysis.

© 2022 AFP