Brazilian football legend Pelé, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and is currently fighting colon cancer, has been hospitalized after developing swelling, heart issues and mental confusion, according to local media. His daughter, however, said it’s not an emergency.
ESPN Brasil, citing unidentified sources, reported on Wednesday that Pele was admitted to Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo after developing swelling “all over his body.” Doctors who examined him also diagnosed a heart problem.
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Pele was very restless and in a state of mental confusion when he arrived at the hospital, ESPN Brasil said. He remained hospitalized on Wednesday afternoon to undergo further tests and was described as debilitated and having difficulties feeding himself.
Pele, who is 82 years old, has been suffering from colon cancer and doctors are concerned that his chemotherapy is ineffective, according to ESPN.
Pele’s daughter, Kely Nascimento, confirmed that her father had been hospitalized but said there was no emergency.
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“My father is hospitalized, he is regulating his medication,” she said in a post on Instagram, which provided no specific details. “I’m not jumping on a flight to run there … There is no surprise or emergency.”
Pele was also hospitalized in September 2021, when he underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his colon and spent several days in intensive care. He was later released to continue his treatment with chemotherapy.