Brazil stars have sent a message of support to their nation's footballing hero Pele after beating South Korea in a World Cup last-16 tie on Monday as the Brazilian watched from his hospital bed.
The 82-year-old considered by many as the greatest footballer of all-time is currently undergoing recovery in hospital for a respiratory infection caused by Covid.
Pele is additionally receiving chemotherapy treatment for bowel cancer with the three-time World Cup winner currently sidelined in hospital as Brazil strives for a record-breaking sixth tournament title.
Brazilian players were keen to demonstrate their support for the national icon after comfortably advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals with a hugely impressive win over South Korea.
Injury returnee Neymar, Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr, Tottenham star Richarlison, and midfielder Lucas Paqueta all got on the scoresheet in Qatar as South Korea's World Cup dreams came crashing down.
Goalscorers Richarlison and Neymar were keen to get their teammates involved as they began to unfurl a banner honouring Pele on the pitch at full-time in Stadium 974
The Brazil players were joined by team staff to pose for a picture with a huge banner emblazoned with Pele's face that simply stated his name with a picture of the South American celebrating World Cup success with the nation during his playing days.
Pele 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.
Reports surfacing in the wake of Pele's transfer to hospital suggested he was receiving end-of-live palliative care with his family refuting those claims in the media.
Daughter, Flavia Nascimento updated concerned supporters on her father's condition, stating: 'It is very unfair for people to say he is in the end of his life, in palliative care. Guys, that's not true. Believe us.
'He is not in intensive care, he is in a regular bedroom. He is not in risk, he is in treatment.'
Brazil will face Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals on Friday as the tournament enters it's closing stages.