Pele rushed to hospital with ‘swelling all over his body’ as Brazil icon battles cancer

Legendary Brazilian footballer Pele has been admitted to hospital with swelling all over his body and heart failure issues.

The 82-year-old, who is currently undergoing treatment for metastatic cancer, went into the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo on Tuesday for an unscheduled visit, according to ESPN Brasil, which describes Pele’s condition as ‘debilitated’.

After being taken by his wife Marcia Aoki and a carer to hospital, medical staff confirmed his condition of anasarca (general swelling), an edematous syndrome (general edema) and identified ‘decompensated heart failure’, which causes functional limitation of the heart. 

It is also reported that his chemotherapy treatment is no longer working. He was also diagnosed with mental confusion upon entering the hospital, where he became restless.

Pele is set to undergo several tests today for a further assessment of the organs that have been impacted by the metastatic cancer. 

The former footballer is reportedly struggling to eat, while medics are set to look at the likelihood of him having a hepatic encephalopathy – a nervous system disorder brought on by severe liver disease.

The health of legendary Brazil star Pele has reportedly deteriorated after he was admitted to hospital in Sao Paulo with swelling all over his body and heart failure issues

Pele is one of the greatest footballers of all time and won three World Cups with Brazil

It is reported that Pele has his wife by his bedside in hospital as he undergoes several tests

There is no time frame on Pele’s hospital stay, and his wife and carer are by his bedside.

However, Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento, who is not in Brazil, insisted there was no need for alarm and that her father’s hospital admission is ‘no surprise or emergency’.

She posted on Instagram: ‘Lots of alarm in the media today concerning my dad’s health. He is in the hospital regulating medication.

‘There is no emergency or new dire prediction. I will be there for New Year’s and promise to post some pictures.’ 

Officials at the hospital have not commented on his health. His wife did confirm the Brazil icon was in hospital, but implied it is only for his standard chemotherapy and check-ups.

Pele’s agent Joe Fraga said he did not have an update on the former Brazil forward’s status. 

Pele scored 655 goals in 700 club career games, while he netted 77 times in 92 caps for Brazil

Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento insisted there was no need need for alarm about her father

The concerns about Pele being admitted to hospital come after was hospitalised for six days last year and underwent surgery to remove a tumor in his colon. 

The Globo news site in Brazil said Pele was undergoing routine examinations in Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital when the undisclosed issue was detected. 

Taking to social media at the time, Pele allayed any fears over his health.

‘My friends, thank you very much for the kind messages,’ he wrote on Instagram. 

‘I thank God for feeling very well and for allowing Dr Fabio and Dr Miguel to take care of my health. 

‘Last Saturday I underwent surgery to remove a suspicious lesion in the right colon. The tumor was identified during the tests I mentioned last week.

‘Fortunately, I’m used to celebrating great victories alongside you. I will face this match with a smile on my face, a lot of optimism and joy for living surrounded by the love of my family and friends.’

In 2020, Pele’s son said his father was depressed over his poor health and reluctant to leave the house because he cannot walk without assistance, although Pele later publicly denied that statement. 

The Brazilian had said: ‘I am good. I continue to accept my physical limitations in the best way possible but I intend to keep the ball rolling.

‘I have good days and bad days. That is normal for people of my age. I am not afraid, I am determined, confident in what I do.’

Pele is regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history and is the only player to win three World Cups.

He scored 655 goals in 700 club career games, while he also netted 77 times in 92 caps for Brazil.