SAO PAULO: Brazilian football icon Pele reassured his fans on Saturday that he felt “strong, with a lot of hope” despite his deteriorating health condition.

Pele, who is widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, was shifted to the hospital earlier this week to re-evaluate his colon cancer treatment and was later diagnosed with a respiratory infection, reported local media.

However, the 82-year-old has now offered an update on his condition and thanked fans for praying for his recovery.

“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” he said in an Instagram post.

“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!” he expressed.

Earlier the hospital authorities stated that the iconic footballer remained “stable,” while his condition had not worsened over the last day.

“Pele has had a good response to care without any worsening in the clinical picture in the last 24 hours,” said a statement issued by Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital’s doctors

The statement, however, made no mention of media reports earlier on Saturday that suggested that Pele was receiving end-of-life care.

A number of renowned players at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar expressed their best wishes for the three-time World Cup winner.

France forward Kylian Mbappe on Saturday tweeted: “Pray for the King.”

 

England captain Harry Kane also showed his support for Pele at a press conference ahead of his side’s knockout game against Senegal.

“We send our best wishes to him and obviously all his family as well,” said Kane.

“He is an inspiration amongst our game and an incredible footballer and incredible person. We wish him well.”

Pele is the only player in football history to lift three World Cup trophies – 1958, 1962 and 1970 – and undoubtedly one of the most successful and popular sports figures of the past century. He has scored more than 1200 goals during his illustrious career.

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