Soccer legend Pele is hospitalized again in Brazil, dealing with his cancer diagnosis. He is now undergoing chemotherapy treatments after learning this month that he has colon cancer.
Pele is in hospital to undergo treatment for a colon tumour, Sao Paulo's Hospital Albert Einstein has confirmed. pic.twitter.com/jVZlspryYE
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 8, 2021
According to reports, the legend receives chemo at Sao Paolo Hospital Albert Einstein. Both the hospital and Pele’s assistant announced the update this week.
Ainda bem, eu já pude dar muito autógrafo na minha vida. E eu agradeço o carinho de todo mundo que me pede. Até em telefone público eu já deixei a minha marca. E ainda aproveitei para ligar para minha casa. pic.twitter.com/HkDK6bLwST
— Pelé (@Pele) November 28, 2021
A Legend In Treatment
Pele is trying to treat cancer discovered during a regular exam in September.
In September, the legend underwent surgery to remove a tumor and spent almost a month in the hospital after the cancer diagnosis.
However, according to reports, the hospital plans to discharge Pele in the next few days. The national sports hero is currently in stable condition, according to reports.
Meus amigos, estou testando a conexão da internet de vocês. Será que essa foto é muito pesada?
//
My friends, I am testing your internet connection. Is this photo too heavy? pic.twitter.com/MqyHcYHwCF
— Pelé (@Pele) November 24, 2021
Pele Speaks
“When the path is difficult, celebrate each step of the journey,” he wrote on Instagram during his last hospital admission.
“Focus on your happiness. It’s true that I can’t jump anymore, but these past few days, I’ve been punching the air more times than usual.”
Last year, Pele’s son said his father was depressed over his poor health. He was also reportedly reluctant to leave the house due to not walking without assistance.
Amigos, faz algum tempo que não falamos disso. Eu quero avisar que estou muito bem. Me sinto cada dia melhor. Acho que nem mesmo a máscara para minha proteção consegue esconder a minha felicidade. Muito obrigado a todos vocês, que me mandam boas energias diariamente. pic.twitter.com/0K0lJkFC1i
— Pelé (@Pele) November 17, 2021
The Legend of Pele
Pele is considered the greatest soccer player ever and a national treasure for Brazil and South American sports.
The 81-year-old FIFA “Player Of The Century” is also the only man to win the World Cup three times after leading Brazil to their first title in 1958.
He is also Brazil’s all-time leading international scorer with 77 goals. Pele scored more than 1,000 in his playing career before retiring from the game in 1977.
Pele was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1993, and his name transcends the sport globally.
To this day, breaking Pele’s records is the quest of current players.
Brazilian soccer icon Pelé, 81, has been hospitalized again for a colon tumor after having surgery on it in Sept. Doctors say he is in “stable” condition.
The 3-time World Cup winner has spent his life fighting against racism in the sport and also spoke out against poverty. pic.twitter.com/4TWGOpdnnu
— AJ+ (@ajplus) December 8, 2021
Chasing Greatness
Cristiano Ronaldo broke Pele’s unofficial record of 767 career goals in March of 2021.
However, Pele has stated on social media that he has scored 1,283 goals. This number, however, includes goals scored in amateur, unofficial and friendly matches.
Still, Pele showed his signature class and respect for the players and the game, congratulating Ronaldo when the feat was achieved.
All Class
“Life is a solo flight. Each makes his own journey. And what a beautiful journey you are having. I admire you a lot, I love watching you play and this is no secret to anyone,” Pele wrote on social media.
“Congratulations on breaking my record of goals in official matches. My only regret is not being able to give you a hug today.”
FIFA does not keep an official record of which athlete leads the all-time scoring list. Safe to say, today’s scorekeeping is more accurate than when Pele revolutionized the game. However, the world defers to Pele when discussing the all-time top scorer.
Messi took 93 games less than Ronaldo to break Pele's official goals tally. INSANE😳🐐 pic.twitter.com/Y82HUuqgCA
— Team Messi Forever (@TMForever30) December 8, 2021
Next Generation
In September, Lionel Messi surpassed Pele as the top international goalscorer in South American history. Messi achieved the honor with a hat trick in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier, overtaking Brazilian legend Pele.
Messi’s teammate Neymar sits behind Pele at third on the South American goal scorers list with 68.
More news from our partners:
Statue of Robert E. Lee to be Melted and Repurposed by Black-led Museum
Goldman Sachs Says Young U.S. Workers Are Plotting Early Retirements
