Legendary Brazilian footballer, Pele, had COVID-19 and a heart rate below normal before being hospitalised last Tuesday, his daughter, Kely Nascimento, has confirmed.
She said the 82-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 on November 17 and has been treated with medication to control pain and fever, but COVID was one of the initial reasons he was taken to the hospital.
“About three weeks ago he got Covid,” Kely Nascimento said to Brazilian TV.
“He is vaccinated, with all the vaccines, but because of the cancer medication, the chemotherapy, which is fragile, he got a lung infection. That’s why he went to the hospital, because of the lung infection.
“It’s serious because of his age and because he is being treated for cancer,” she said.
Flavia Nascimento 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 for him to be in the hospital. 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 soccer legend, who is battling colon cancer, was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo for a respiratory infection and remains in stable condition, according to a statement released on Saturday.
Before that, he was being treated for metastatic cancer at his home in Guaruja, on the coast of Sao Paulo. During the days before his hospitalization, Pele had respiratory issues and the exams performed on Wednesday determined that he has bronchopneumonia.
Pele’s heart rate was also diagnosed with bradyarrhythmia, an abnormality that causes the heart to work at a rhythm below what is considered normal, the sources added.
The Albert Einstein hospital said on Friday that Pele is getting antibiotics to treat an infection at the same time he undergoes chemotherapy against cancer.
On Sunday, the sixth day of Pele’s hospitalization, the Albert Einstein Hospital did not release a new statement on his condition.
Pele had a colon tumor removed in September 2021, helped Brazil win the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups and remains the team’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.
Meanwhile, Pele says he is “strong” and has “a lot of hope” as he continues his treatment for colon cancer. This came after local media reports in Brazil said that the 82-year old former footballer’s health had worsened.
A statement on Pele’s Instagram page said “My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive,”
“I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual. I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received.
“I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup too!”
