New Delhi: Brazil football legend Pele was admitted to the hospital this week as he is battling cancer. As per the doctors, he is now suffering with a respiratory infection but his condition is stable so far. The 82-year-old was hospitalized on Tuesday in Sao Paulo as doctors stated it was a reevaluation of the chemotherapy he has been taking. The three-time World Cup winner for Brazil underwent an operation to remove the tumor in September 2021.
"The medical team diagnosed him with a respiratory infection, which is being treated with antibiotics," the hospital said in a statement.
"The patient's response has been adequate, and he remains in a standard room," not intensive care, it said.
"He is stable and his health is showing general improvement. (He) will remain in the hospital in the coming days to continue treatment."
On Thursday, he took to his Instagram handle to thank his fans for their wishes and messages.
Pele is the only football player to have won three World Cups. He won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970 and remained Brazil's all-time top scorer with 77 goals. He had problems with mobility after a failed hip replacement surgery in 2012. He is the only footballer being a goal poacher with over 1,000 goals in a professional career that spanned 22 years.
He was forced to use walkers and wheelchairs in public. He has also been admitted to hospitals in recent years for kidney and prostate-related problems.