Young Brazilians, many of them born long after Pele stopped playing, interrupted their lives to gather spiritual forces and pray for the recovery of the man, who for decades, has been the country’s national symbol of sport, hope, and confidence. In doing so, they brought comfort to a nation worried about the health of the man who gave it so much.
At 82, Pele, the greatest football personality Brazil has ever produced, is in frail health. He has suffered several ailments in the past years, and since 2021 he has been battling colon cancer. ESPN reported last week that Pele was hospitalized with generalized oedema and decompensated heart failure, a clinical syndrome that denotes a functional abnormal inability to maintain blood pressure at functional physiological levels. Then, reports that he was transferred to palliative care, stopping normal treatment alarmed fans the world over.
An online release of a statement on social media Saturday, signed by his cardiologist and geriatric endocrinologist, appeared to contradict the earlier report of a worsening situation, stating that the treatment continues and that he is in stable condition.
Contacted by THE WEEK, the hospital did not comment but stood by the medical update bulletin of the previous day, indicating that all future updates will be made in the form of written medical bulletins.
More than 100 fans assembled by the youth fan club of Santos, the club where Pele began his professional career and where he played for 19 glorious seasons, gathered in front of the entrance to the Oncology and Hematology Center of Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital.
The fans wearing Pele’s eternal #10 signs and photos of the football king carried a huge banner showing a young Pele, the club’s logo, and the number 10. The club’s black and white stripes were everywhere, and so were the emotions. From midmorning, the fans held hands, prayed, chanted, lit candles, and shared words of comfort and support.
Residents of the area, some of them holding the hands of their children, joined the vigil, sharing the history and the emotions that Pele brought to them with new generations.
Situated in the Tony Morumbi district in Sao Paulo’s southwest side, the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital is Latin America’s top hospital and among the best in the world.
On December 1, Pele posted a picture of the moving tribute to him in Qatar on his Facebook page with a note saying, “Friends, I am at the hospital making my monthly visit. It's always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes!”
By December 3, the situation appeared critical despite a reassuring medical bulletin.
To Brazilians of all ages, Pele is as big as everything. Big success. Big dreams. Big destiny for their nation. The spirit of his achievements is in the air in every World Cup game. It is hard to find Brazilians anywhere who are not aware of his three World Cup titles and the pride he has given them.
The young Santos fans were outside his hospital Sunday to bring their thanks and their support to the man who has been a national treasure all their lives, but across Brazil, it is clear they brought with them the heart of a worried nation.
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