A long-standing icon of Brazilian football, Pele spoke about his emotions following Brazil’s 4-1 victory over South Korea in the World Cup Round of 16 in Qatar. He described a blend of relief and happiness, noting that the win had brightened his day and given him joy to savor. After the match, Brazil’s players unfurled a banner on the pitch to show support for Pele, who is currently in hospital care during his recovery journey.
In the encounter with South Korea, Brazil dominated the first half, scoring all four goals. Vinícius Júnior, Neymar, Richarlison, and Lucas Paquetá found the net, delivering a commanding performance that left little doubt about Brazil’s progress to the quarterfinals. The next challenge awaited on the road to the title as Brazil prepared to face Croatia in the quarterfinal round. The match was scheduled for December 9 with a kickoff at 18:00 Moscow time, a fixture that pitted two strong footballing nations against one another in a high-stakes knockout contest.
There has been ongoing public interest in Pele’s health, as the three-time World Cup winner was hospitalized last Tuesday amid concerns about swelling and heart function. Media reports overrecent days suggested that his condition had deteriorated to the point where a palliative care unit might be considered due to chemotherapy not yielding the desired response in the battle against cancer in the bowels. Pele’s daughters, Keli and Flávia, publicly refuted those reports, stating that the hospitalization reason was due to a coronavirus infection and not the other conditions claimed in some outlets. The family has consistently emphasized that the legendarian remains under medical supervision, with updates reflecting a careful and hopeful prognosis.
Separately, the International Olympic Committee has, in an executive committee session, issued guidance regarding sanctions for athletes from Russia and Belarus. The council recommended restricting participation for these athletes in international competitions, a stance that aligns with earlier IOC communications that urged federations worldwide to exclude athletes from those nations from competitive events. The issue has continued to shape discussions across global sports, signaling a broader conversation about eligibility, fairness, and the evolving landscape of international competition during this period of geopolitical sensitivity.