The Pelé family, continuing to respond to ongoing questions about the health of Brazil’s legendary football icon, reaffirmed this Monday that the World Cup great remains under care but not in palliative treatment. They also offered a message of encouragement to the Brazilian squad ahead of the round of 16 clash with South Korea in Qatar.
Earlier reports from Folha de S. Paulo suggested the 82-year-old football figure had been moved to a palliative care room as chemotherapy appeared ineffective. His relatives quickly pushed back, stating these rumors were unfounded and echoing their stance on television over the weekend. They insisted Pelé was not receiving end‑of‑life care and that he was fighting a serious respiratory infection connected to the coronavirus.
The family’s public statements have sought to calibrate expectations about his health while underscoring the obligation to keep fans informed with accuracy. A post on his official Instagram profile highlighted the ongoing support and optimism surrounding the Brazilian team as they prepare for a crucial knockout match.
“The patient is elderly but will return home as soon as he feels strong enough,” stated Kely Nascimento, Pelé’s sister, alongside Flavia and other relatives. They stressed that the claim of palliative care was false, urging supporters to rely on verified information from the family. The sentiment was echoed by the wider circle, who emphasized their wish for transparency and fairness in reporting about a figure who has become a symbol for generations of football fans.
Among those closely watching the family’s updates was Arthur Arantes do Nascimento, one of Pelé’s grandsons. He indicated that a recent phone conversation with his grandfather touched on Brazil’s first two World Cup matches in Qatar, noting that while death remains a natural course, it was not imminent. His words reflected a belief that Brazil could lift the trophy for a sixth time, a prospect that continues to rally supporters around the team.
The former star’s social media messages have carried an earnest, motivational tone. In a public post, he pledged to follow the World Cup from his hospital room and to applaud every Brazilian player during the tournament. The remarks carried a sense of solidarity, reminding fans that the journey toward glory is a shared experience, even in difficult times.