Pele's health improving, has "no new complications"

SAO PAULO [BRAZIL]: Brazil football legend Pele's health is improving and he has "no new complications" said the doctors on Tuesday. The 82-year-old is hospitalised since a week for treatment of a respiratory infection made worse by COVID-19. He is expected to get discharged as soon as he recovers fully.

"(He has) stable vital signs, is conscious, and with no new complications," the Albert Einstein hospital said in a statement as quoted by Sky Sports.

The three-time World Cup winner is also fighting cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. In this hour of ill health, Pele continues to receive loads of love from his fans.

In Qatar during FIFA World Cup, fans cheered for the five-time champions making use of shirts, flags, banners featuring a young Pele celebrating his exploits on the field and lifting trophies.

This sight was seen before the side's round of 16 match against South Korea, which the legend said that he would catch up from the hospital.

Brazil's players also displayed a banner supporting Pele on the pitch as they celebrated their victory over South Korea, following which they moved into the quarterfinals.

The squad unfurled the banner saying 'Pele' alongside his picture. Ahead of Monday's match against South Korea, Pele recalled memories of his World Cup debut back in 1958. The 17-year-old played a big role in his side's triumph in that tournament.

Ahead of Monday evening's last-16 tie at Stadium 974, Pele recalled memories of his World Cup debut in 1958, when the 17-year-old helped Brazil lift the Jules Rimet Trophy in Sweden.

Pele wrote on Twitter: "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'll be watching the game from hospital and I'll be rooting for each one of you. Good luck!," concluded the legendary footballer.

Injuries affected Pele's form in the 1962 and 1966 World Cup final, but he led Brazil to their third triumph in 1970.

Officially, Pele has 757 goals in 831 games spread across a glittering two-decade career from 1957-77. Though, the club Santos has claimed his tally to be closer to 1,000.