Pele hospitalised in Brazil, daughter confirms no emergency

The 82-year-old has suffered multiple health-related complications in recent times.

Brazilian footballing legend Pele has been hospitalised as he battles cancer. His daughter, Kely Nascimento, has confirmed on social media that there is "no emergency." According to a report from ESPN Brazil, the legendary footballer was taken to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo with general swelling. The report also added that the 82-year-old was having heart-related issues and there are also some concerns about his ongoing chemotherapy and its expected effect.

Pele has been battling cancer and had serious health issues in recent years. He had undergone hip surgery and also had a tumor removed from his colon in 2021. In 2019, the superstar also had his kidney stones removed in Paris and was also going through prostate and kidney procedures.

"Lots of alarm in the media today concerning my dad's health. He is in the hospital regulating medication," Nascimento wrote on Instagram. "There is no emergency or new dire prediction. I will be there for New Years and promise to post some pictures."

Following the tumor removal from his colon in 2021, Pele has been in and out of the hospital for treatment on a regular basis.

Widely celebrated as one of the greatest footballers of all-time, Pele has lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy a record three times. He is also Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer with 77 goals in 92 matches. Pele is also one of only four players to score in four different World Cup editions.

He won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Pele is also the youngest ever to score a goal in FIFA World Cup history. He was just 17 years and 239 days when he netted against Wales. The Brazilian centre-forward has played in 1,363 games, scoring 1,281 goals, according to FIFA’s official website.