Pelé remains in hospital: latest news about his status, live updates
Pelé condition: headlines
- Pelé posts 'inspiring' message to Brazil team after World Cup loss to Croatia
- Since arriving at the Sao Paolo hospital, Pelé has been showing "progressive improvement" and said to be in a stable condition
- The Brazilian legend has been contending with health issues, including continuing cancer treatments for years, and most recently a respiratory infection
- Daughter said she expects father to come home from hospital
- It was reported by some that Pelé had stopped responding to chemotherapy treatment in his fight against bowel cancer (identified in Sep. 2021) last week and that he had been moved to palliative or end-of-life care
- The soccer star sent a message of thanks for all the support and love received
- Fans had been congregating outside Sao Paulo hospital to keep vigil
Check out a selection of our pieces on the great Pelé
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Pelé's 'inspiring' message to Neymar and Brazil
In case you missed it earlier, after Brazil lost on penalties to Croatia Pelé sent a message to the team, with a special mention to Neymar who had drawn level with the great's all-time record.
“I saw you grow, I cheered for you every day and I can finally congratulate you for reaching my number of goals with Brazil. We both know that this is more than a figure,” the 82-year-old wrote.
“Our biggest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates of today, the next generations and, above all, everyone who loves our sport.
“Unfortunately this is not the happiest day for us. My record was set almost 50 years ago, and nobody had managed to get near it until now. You got there, kid. That shows how great your achievement is.”
Crazy but true!
In truth, it would take a volcano to produce something worthy of O'Rei's namesake. Long Live The King!
What a goal!
If you're going to do something, do it right! Neymar matched Pelé's World Cup goals record on a night that ultimately ended in tragic defeat for him and Brazil, but the manner in which he did so reminded us once again, that this guy is truly special.
A message to Brazil's team from Pele
In a message sent pre-game, O'Rei let the Selecao know that he was with them and even though the night may have ended in heartbreak, there's no doubt they made their king proud. The caption reads:
"In 1958, I walked the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I made to my father. I know that today many have made similar promises and are also going in search of their first World Cup. I will watch the game from the hospital and I will be rooting for each one of you. Good luck! 🇧🇷"
From one king to another
Though Argentine has now taken over from 'O Rei,' it only serves as testament to what it took to surpass the Brazilian icon.
A shiny, shimmering nod to Pelé
One enthusiastic fan put on a very unique costume at the World Cup that’s meant to be the soccer great, and it’s gotten mixed reviews.
What do you think of this get-up?
Pelé congratulates Neymar on matching his record
Pelé has written a touching message to Neymar on his Instagram account, congratulating his fellow Brazilian on matching his goal record with the national team.
He encourages the PSG player to be continue being an inspiration and to move people to aspire to do what seems impossible.
Such grace from a true champion.
Dispute regarding Neymar-Pelé tie
Neymar matched Pelé’s all-time record of 77 senior international goals in Brazil’s defeat to Croatia… Or did he?
Well, there seems to be a bit of a dispute regarding this, and it involves Brazil’s football federation, the CBF.
FIFA records show that the legendary footballer made 77 goals in 92 games. However, according to sports news platform 90min, the CBF claims that he made as many as 95 goals in 113 appearances for Brazil.
The discrepancy lies in the federation’s inclusion of non-official international games in which Pelé participated, including a matchup between Brazil and a ‘Rest of the World’ team two years after he played in his last official game.
There are so many big names in soccer, with many players being bandied about as being the GOAT. However, when it comes to the World Cup, there’s no doubt about who reigns supreme.
AS USA’s Jen Bubel has more on why Pelé is the undisputed King of the Cup.
Pele's World Cup goals
Neymar has just tied Pelé’s all-time goal-scoring record in Brazil in their loss to Croatia.
However, the legend still has no equal in many ways. He remains the youngest player to ever score in soccer's most prestigious competition.
Here’s a look at some his best moments in the World Cup.
Pele's wish thrashed
The Brazilian legend had hoped his team would lift their sixth World Cup title this year, especially after Neymar tied his record with 77 goals!
But unfortunately for the 82-year-old, who is supposedly watching from the hospital, Brazil is out of the World Cup after Croatia won the penalty shootout with a final 3-2 result.
Croatia is going to the Semi-Finals!!
Neymar equals Pele's record!!!
Two legends, one country!
Pele used to be Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, with 77 goals, until a minute ago.
Neymar just scored the first goal against Croatia in overtime, making Pele's dream of Brazil lifting their sixth title significantly closer!
Brazil has finally beaten Livakovic, thanks to Neymar's incredible goal. The South Americans are 15 minutes away from their ninth World Cup semi-final.
Croatia vs Brazil
Meanwhile, Pele is keeping his "energy" levels high as he watches his home country face Modric and Croatia in the first game of Friday's Quarter-Finals.
Brazil is bidding to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the ninth time; Croatia, for the third time.
Join us at AS USA for the play-by-play live feed of the Croatia vs Brazil game by our very own Roddy Cons.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento - the man we all know today as Pelé - came into a world where he would have to overcome the struggles of poverty before he would bless us all with his gift.
When did Pelé make his senior team debut? How did injuries hinder his career timeline? And how did the 'effect of Pelé' become contagious to the rest of the soccer world and beyond?
Read more on the incredible life story of the Brazilian legend.
Pelé's 'thank you' message to the world
On Saturday, Brazilian icon and former national team star took to social media to say messages of support had given him "energy" as well as watching Brazil at the World Cup.
Pelé's words came after the scary announcement that he had been moved to 'end-of-life' due to not responding to chemotherapy treatment. Fans were then relieved to learn that his situation had improved when the hospital released a statement indicating that he was "still undergoing treatment and remains stable."
Since then, Pele has continued to show improvement.
"My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive," he said in a statement on Instagram. "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 watching Brazil in the World Cup too!
"Thank you so much for everything."
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Arguably the greatest, but never a Ballon d'Or winner?
Given the unprecedented success that he achieved with both the Brazilian national team and his club Santos FC, it remains perhaps one of the most curious situations in football's history.
Yet, the reason why is actually quite simple, if not convenient. Indeed, it represents what was a sign of the times in which Pelé was playing.
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Pelé has responded to French star and World Cup top scorer Kylian Mbappé's message of goodwill on Twitter.
Late on Thursday, Pelé took to Twitter, thanking Mbappé for his message and congratulating him for his outstanding performances in Qatar, where he has now reached a total of nine World Cup goals before the age of 24, breaking a record previously held by the Santos legend.
Why was Pele admitted to the hospital in the first place?
Pelé's admission to the hospital last week for a “re-evaluation of the chemotherapy treatment over the colon cancer" he identified in September of 2021 created fears that the 82-year-old would be in a critical condition.
And while the soccer world and its players have been busy with the 2022 World Cup, many of them have taken the time to send goodwill messages to O Rei, including Mbappé.
"Pray for the King," posted the poster boy of the Qatar World Cup.
Pele has since, however, been in a stable condition and has shown progressive improvement.
Pelé in hospital: latest news
Hello and welcome to our live feed keeping millions around the globe up to date with the latest situation surrounding the Brazilian legend, Pelé.
As we continue to monitor Pelé's situation in the hospital, we will also look back at his outstanding career, his history, and everything related to one, if not the, greatest player ever.
From records, to anecdotes and of course some of those unreal goals, we'll be diving deep into the life of the man that the world came to call "O Rei."