Pele’s daughter took to social media on Christmas Day night to thank the hospital for looking after her father.
The Brazilian legend’s family has gathered in the hospital as his condition worsens – with his daughter vowing to stick by his side as the 82-year-old receives care after his cancer has progressed.
Kely Nascimento shared a photo earlier on Sunday from the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with an emotional caption.
Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento posted a photo of his family on Instagram Christmas Day night alongside a post thanking hospital staff for caring for the 82-year-old soccer great
She took to her Instagram profile again later in the day to express her gratitude to the medical staff at the hospital.
‘We always have a lot to be thankful for, even spending Christmas in the hospital we are aware of the privilege it is to be in a hospital like @hosp_einstein,’ she wrote.
‘To see our father treated by these professionals, super competent and extremely affectionate.
She also shared a photo with her family earlier in the day as they spent Christmas in the hospital
Nascimento confirmed family members would spend Christmas with Brazil great in hospital
‘Not a moment goes by that we forget this privilege.
‘Even in sadness, we just have to be grateful. Thank you for being together, thank you for all your love, thank you for being here with him now.
‘Merry Christmas. Lots of health, lots of love, lots of joy, lots of laughter and lots of passion, today and always, for all of you.
‘One more night together with him.’
She shared an emotional photo hugging her 82-year-old father in the hospital earlier this week
Both pictures from Christmas included Pele’s son Edinho.
The Brazil legend had a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021 but was admitted to hospital on November 29.
A hospital statement released earlier this week said Pele needed further care ‘related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions’.
The daughter of the three-time World Cup winner confirmed family members would spend Christmas with him in hospital with grandchildren also joining.
Pele’s daughter has been active on social media and she posted an image on her Instagram profile on Saturday of her sitting next to Edinho and two of his children at the hospital.
A video has also emerged of Pele resting while his family sits on his bed to show him messages
A moving photo of Pele (right) and his daughter Kely (left) from September last year
‘He (Edson) is here,’ she captioned the photo, adding in a hashtag ‘I will not be leaving, nobody will take me out of here.’
She also previously posted a moving photo of her father in a hospital bed as they cherish ‘another night together’ while he continues his cancer battle.
‘We continue to be here, in fight and in faith. Another night together,’ his daughter wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of Pele being hugged in bed. Pele’s granddaughter Sophia can also be seen in the photo.
Along with the moving photo, a video was shared showing Pele sleeping in his bed while his family spoke to him.
Pele is widely considered Brazil’s greatest ever player and he was able to watch his country’s campaign at the World Cup in Qatar, despite being in hospital.
He burst on to the global scene as a 17-year-old at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil to the first of their record five successes, before also winning the 1962 and 1970 World Cups with the national side.
Pele, who is considered one of the greatest footballers ever, won three World Cups with Brazil
Brazil players held a banner of support for Pele after their World Cup win over South Korea
Pele was able to follow the World Cup closely around his treatment and the 82-year-old also watched the final of the tournament from his bed.
Having praised Brazil, despite their quarterfinal exit, he once again took to social media to congratulate Lionel Messi and Argentina after their dramatic penalty shootout win against France.
Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way. Messi won his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved,’ Pele wrote on Instagram.
‘My dear friend, [Kylian] Mbappe, scoring four goals in a final. What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport.’
Mbappe and Brazilian Neymar have been among those sending well wishes to the soccer icon.
Concern for Pele accelerated last month when a news report emerged that he was being moved to end-of-life care, something his daughters swiftly denied.
Speaking to Fantastico about her father last month, Kely explained: ‘About three weeks ago he got Covid. He is vaccinated, with all the vaccines, but because of the cancer medicine, the chemotherapy, which is fragile, he got a lung infection.
‘That’s why he went to the hospital, because of the lung infection. Is he serious? It’s serious, because he’s a certain age, he’s treating cancer.’
Flavia, his other daughter, went on to explain how the hospital is the best place for Pele to get the care he needs.
She said: ‘At the hospital, he is better assisted. But he’s not in the ICU, he’s in a normal room. So he’s not at risk. As a person with a more delicate health, it is better to be in the hospital.’
The hospital provided an update on Pele’s condition earlier this week, detailing that he now requires care for cardiac and renal dysfunction and his family are by his bedside.
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