Pele's daughters Flavia and Kely Nascimento have denied that the 82-year-old is close to death and said he was omitted to hospital to treat a respiratory infection that was aggravated by Covid.
They said Pele was 'not at risk' despite reports claiming he had been placed in 'palliative care' after being admitted into the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.
Flavia and Kely thanked fans for their concerns but said Pele is 'not ready to say goodbye' and insisted he will 'go home again' once he recovers from his lung infection.
They dismissed claims that Pele was in the ICU and even revealed how the 82-year-old had been watching Brazil at the 2022 World Cup and how he had been discussing their progress over the phone with his grandson.
Kely, Flavia and Arthur Arantes do Nascimento updated Pele's fans during an interview on Sunday evening. They said Pele, who is also undergoing chemotherapy in his fight against cancer, is expected to leave the Albert Einstein hospital once he fully recovers from the respiratory infection.
Neither the family nor the hospital have any predictions in that regard. However, a report by Folha de Sao Paulo on Saturday suggested there was cause for concern in terms of Pele's cancer.
The report said Pele was no longer responding to the chemotherapy treatment he has been undergoing since last September to treat his bowel cancer.
Speaking to Fantastico, Kely said: '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 went on to explain how the hospital was the best place for Pele to get the care he needed but insisted the 82-year-old was 'not in the ICU'.
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.'
Flavia went on to say it was 'unfair to talk about his palliative treatment'. She told Fantastico: 'It is very unfair to start talking that he is in a terminal state, with palliative treatment.
'It's not that. Believe us. More than anyone else, we don't want that moment to come. Of course, one day it will happen, but it's not now, you don't need to be in that alarm anticipating a situation that doesn't exist now.'
The hospital said on Saturday that Pele was responding well to treatment for the infection and that his health condition had not worsened over the previous 24 hours.
However, the hospital - based in the heart of Brazil - did not issue any statements on the former footballer's health on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Kely went on to speak about how difficult it has been receiving thousands of social media messages about her father.
She said: 'People send me their condolences (on social networks). I say I'm going to put the phone down and I'm not going to answer anyone.
'I just feel like I have to respond to people. Not to tell everything, but to say that it is not like that. We are not rushing there to say goodbye.
'We're taking turns, he's sick, he's old, but he's there because of a lung infection. He's on antibiotics and when he gets better he'll go home again. He's not saying goodbye at the hospital.'
Meanwhile, Pele's grandson Arthur revealed how the 82-year-old had been watching Brazil at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and even said they had been debating the matches over the phone.
He said Pele missed injured star Neymar in Brazil's latest two matches in Qatar - a 1-0 win against Switzerland and a 1-0 defeat against Cameroon, both in group stage.
Arthur said that Pele was concerned about Brazil's creativity without Neymar. However, Brazil will face South Korea on Monday in the round 16, with Neymar possibly returning to the team.
Flavia started the conversation by saying: 'He [Pele] is fine. He saw the first [Brazil] game. We watched it all together, it was really fun.
'My dad doesn't like me talking during the game. Yes, he managed to watch (the third), quietly, but he watched.'
Before Arthur added: 'He thinks that [Brazil] is playing good football. Without Neymar it's difficult. Even he says that, that he can't create as much, but that with Neymar he can attack more. He thinks that Brazil is playing well and manages to get the sixth.'
Pele - whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento - is regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time.
He won three World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970, and scored 643 goals in 659 official matches for the Brazilian club Santos. He scored 77 times in 92 games for his country's national team.
Therefore, fans and players from across the world took to social media to send their well-wishes to the 82-year-old once the news broke that he had returned to hospital.
His former club Santos, Brazilian ex-player Rivaldo and the France international forward Kylian Mbappe were among those tweeting good wishes, joining fans around the world.
England captain Harry Kane said: 'We send our best wishes to him and all his family from the whole England set-up. He's an inspiration, an incredible person.'
On Friday, the Albert Einstein Hospital released a statement saying Pele had been diagnosed with a 'respiratory infection' that was being treated with antibiotics.
The update said the former player is expected to remain in hospital for continued treatment in the coming days but said his condition was 'stable'.
In a post on Pele's Instagram account on Friday, he responded to a 'Get well soon' message that was projected onto a building in Qatar, where the World Cup is taking place.
He wrote: 'Friends, I am at the hospital making my monthly visit. It's always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes.'
Colito
0
Announcing Pele's death while there's world cup going on.Its a taboo n it will affect Brazil fighting spirits his death will be announced after the world cup RIP king
ManUnited-Red
1
Thatβs good then ππ½
zion888
0
Why thou
having legends still alive keeps the history close to us...there are certain great players whose history are not focused on cos didn't meet them alive..like Garrincha, Socrates, and others so we hope ...m
FALANBUMA
0
get well soon d king of soccer
What is soccer?
Milner23
4
Rest in peace legend π In Advance π
Backpackerinspace
1
The King and Goat has to reach 90 years old, speedy recovery Goat Masterππππβ€β€β€π
apriltungnung
0
U be okay King π€΄.. canβt afford to lose you okay π€΄ Brazil it is for me π₯³
jemdlmopz
0
Brazil will definitely win the world cup for u
Jazaelmu
0
get well soon d king of soccer
Jazaelmu
0
Pele should delightful for Brazilian performance
Fipcdopyz
0
get well soon Pele in Jesus name amen
DybalaMask21
1
Oh Lord, we lost Maradona, we know but pls let's keep him 4 a while longer
[image]
Why thou
Belliny2564
0
Happy to hear and wishing the best. He is true champion
Tumbcdios
1
me I even hear he past away on 2 December, and even post him Rip
funaklsuz
0
get well soon good father
zion888
1
Oh Lord, we lost Maradona, we know but pls let's keep him 4 a while longer
nebbiklorz
0
messi is the best player of all time shut up pele
How many World Cups again π€«
nebbiklorz
0
82 and still a stud !
crmusm
1
Neymar has to wait
popcilnsty
7
We all are close to death, I pray we don't die young.
Kwakuthomas
1
Not now!
1barcaspurs
0
12/07/2022
what's wrong
bazcklop
3
get well pele
ritacklnsy
0
prince020
2
Messi is above him
LeoMulaiLamh11
2
yetttt I was waiting for his death announcement.
lunablnopy
0
messi is the best player of all time shut up pele
wawbiklnos
0
Hope the people let him rest . No matter what happens. I sure his family will update it. As World Cup still going in progress. His heart still with his country. He may strong but I sure he didnβt want worry the nation where still at World Cup.. I believe soccer is still in his heartβ¦ May you Pele get well soon..
sadik2
1
pele waiting for world cup
Rupeshsilwal
0
Get will soon
Lopestar02
1
Healing hands upon your life the great PELE π
hezcdeikls
0
Closest thing to every human being is death.
N0_N0NsENSE
1
Long live legend. ππ
wawbiklnos
2
Pls leave him alone. He need rest. As World Cup still in progress. I believe his heart still with football.. let him rest. I sure his family will update it and want let him rest in peace
Wiacdiuy
0
get well soon πππ
MohsinH47
0
Brazil vs Switzerland will be the last match in Stadium 974. Qatar really put a lots of hard work for this World Cup. . A world cup to be remembered forever. Crazy matches already happened and many more surprises are coming
[image]
sorry. it should be Korea.
MohsinH47
1
Brazil vs Switzerland will be the last match in Stadium 974. Qatar really put a lots of hard work for this World Cup. . A world cup to be remembered forever. Crazy matches already happened and many more surprises are coming
yezisy
2
Get well β€οΈβπ©Ή soon king pele β½οΈπππͺ
18597076(deleted)
0
12/07/2022
Gengarknight
1
He is waiting on Brazil π§π· to win π the world cup.
Nejisticks
0
it is well.
Nuykmoprt
0
is the Pele hope you're ok hope Ali everybody welcome to my dear friend miss your belly I love you God bless you hope you're ok we wish you the very best of luck with your health and happiness I wish all of the Brazilian France a very happy Christmas and a very happy New year I know it's been difficult to see we know how special you are to Brazil I hope everything is going well since you have sent to you since you had since you have said you have gone out with them and ask them how much clear that isn't going soon spelling is gone I know how I felt when you have lost your friend in your help we miss you and all the very best of luck god bless you hope everything is
AlexanderMadrid
3
Get Well soon Ronaldo de Lima and Ronaldinho combined together (Pele)
JoyNg
6
Long Live O'Reiππ§π· Our Prayers are with youππ Comeback stronger than ever LEGENDπͺπ§π·ππ
Vint
1
He will comeback πͺπͺ
MonkeyDLuffy10
2
That is good speedy recovery
Dennisind
3
News is saying he has been transferred to an end of life care facility....I hope he finds peace in his final days