The Brazilian national team unfurled a heartfelt banner in the stadium to honor the legendary Pelé, who had been hospitalized after reaching the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar.
In the knockout stage’s 1/8 final, Brazil overwhelmed South Korea with a 4-1 victory. All four goals came in the first half, with Vinícius Júnior, Neymar, Richarlison, and Lucas Paquetá lighting up the scoreboard and signaling Brazil’s ominous form as they progress toward the later rounds.
The next challenge pits the five-time champions against Croatia. The quarterfinal clash was scheduled for December 9 and was set to kick off at 18:00 Moscow time, a time marked by both anticipation on the pitch and concern for Pelé off it.
Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, had been hospitalized the preceding Tuesday due to swelling and heart complications. A hospital update on Thursday described his condition as stable, offering some reassurance to fans and teammates alike.
Media outlets circulated speculation that Pelé was moved to palliative care as chemotherapy struggled to curb bowel cancer. Pelé’s daughters, Kely and Flávia, refuted those reports, stating that the hospitalization stemmed from issues related to COVID-19 rather than terminal cancer or palliative needs.
On social media, Pelé himself expressed his intention to watch Brazil’s match from the hospital, underscoring the deep bond between the legend and the national team as they pursued glory against Korea.
Meanwhile, the International Testing Agency recently released a reevaluation concerning doping samples from the 2012 London Olympics. The analysis identified 73 anti-doping rule violations, with 21 involving Russian athletes. The findings added to ongoing conversations about testing and integrity in sport, reflecting the broader context in which global competitions operate.
As the tournament moved forward, Brazil’s squad carried both the weight of history and the spirits of its home fans. The banner and the on-field performance together created a moment that transcended sport, highlighting how athletes and nations rally around iconic figures in moments of triumph and challenge alike.