The 82-year-old had surgery to remove a tumor in his colon last year.
At the end of November he was admitted to adjust the chemotherapy and in December he was also diagnosed with a respiratory infection.
On Wednesday, the hospital announced that there has been a "development" in his cancer and that his heart and kidney functions have deteriorated.
One of the star's sons, football coach Edinho, announced on Friday that he is not a doctor and therefore was not needed at the hospital.
On Christmas Eve, he writes on Instagram that he has gone there anyway.