'I am strong, with a lot of hope'
Brazilian football legend Pele has spoken out for the first time following reports that he is receiving "palliative care" in hospital.
On Saturday, Brazilian media reported that the 82-year-old, who went into hospital last week as he continues to battle bowel cancer, is receiving measures to relieve pain in an "end-of life palliative care" ward and is "no longer responding to chemotherapy."
Now, Pele has released a statement on social media saying that he is "strong, with a lot of hope."
In a post on Instagram, the former footballer wrote: "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!
"Thank you so much for everything."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CluFX8JOAwl/
Pele was admitted into the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Tuesday (November 29) suffering from "general swelling" and "heart failure", but an update on Thursday said he was in a "stable" condition.
His daughter, Kely, insisted at the time that there was "no cause for alarm".
On Saturday,
Folha de Sao Paulo reported that the three-time World Cup winner is no longer responding to the chemotherapy treatment he has been undergoing since last September.
They added that Pele is in palliative care and won't be subjected to invasive tests or treatment.
Pele - whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento - is regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time.
He scored 77 times in 92 games for Brazil and won three World Cup. For his Brazilian club, Santos, Pele scored 643 goals in 659 official matches.
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Brazil fans wished Pele well at their side's World Cup group game against Cameroon in Qatar on Friday (Getty)[/caption]
Following the update on his health, Harry Kane
sent his best wishes to Pele at a press conference ahead of the Three Lions' last 16 game against Senegal.
The England captain labelled the Brazilian an "inspiration in our game, an incredible footballer and an incredible person."
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