Doctors said yesterday, December 21, that football legend Pelé’s health has worsened during his hospital stay to regulate his cancer medication.

According to a report from AP News, Pelé’s cancer has advanced. The news was confirmed by the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo which issued a statement confirming that the 82-year-old Brazilian soccer great is under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions.”

However, the hospital did not mention any signs of the three-time World Cup winner’s recent respiratory infection, which was aggravated by COVID-19.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who is globally known as Pelé, is undergoing chemotherapy in his fight against cancer since he had a colon tumour removed in September 2021. Neither his family nor the hospital has said whether it had spread to other organs.

Kely Nascimento, one of his daughters, said Pelé will stay in the hospital during Christmas.

“We decided with doctors that, for many reasons, it will be best for us to stay here, with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us,” she wrote on Instagram. “We will even make some caipirinhas (no kidding). We love you and we will give up an update next week.”