The 82-year-old Pelé was operated on for cancer in September 2021 and on Tuesday he was hospitalized in São Paulo.
His daughter Kely Nascimento was quick and wrote on Instagram that there is no danger to the 82-year-old's health, but that her father was only hospitalized to have his cancer medication regulated.
Pelé's doctors now announce that he is being treated for a respiratory infection, which is being treated with antibiotics.
- The patient's response has been sufficient so he receives regular care, rather than intensive care.
The condition is stable and his health has improved.
He will be treated at the hospital for the next few days, says the hospital in a statement.
The national team captain greets
The football legend has received encouraging messages from around the world, including from Brazil captain Tite, who is with the national team at the World Cup in Qatar, and from World Cup organisers.
- It is always nice to receive positive messages like this, writes Pelé on Instagram next to a picture showing a building in Qatar where messages are displayed wishing Pelé a speedy recovery.
- Thank you to Qatar for this tribute and to everyone who sends me well wishes, the message continued.
Added last year
In December last year, Pelé was hospitalized for treatment of an intestinal tumor.
The hospital then stated that his condition was stable and that he was expected to be discharged within a few days.
Two months earlier, a tumor was removed from the right part of the colon, and he was hospitalized for almost a month.
Pelé is considered by many to be the best soccer player of all time, and among other things won World Cup gold in 1958, 1962 and 1970.