Pele’s health deteriorates as Brazilian football legend’s loved ones gather at his bedside

Pele’s loved ones rushed to his bedside in Brazil on Wednesday as the footballing icon’s condition with cancer appeared to worsen.

The 82-year-old is receiving “high care” linked to “kidney and heart dysfunction” due to the cancer he has been battling for more than a year, doctors at Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said in a statement.

Kely Nascimento, one of his daughters, said Pelé would stay in hospital over Christmas with his family.

“Insta family, our Christmas at home has been put on hold. We decided with doctors that for many reasons it would be best for us to stay here, with all the care that this new Einstein family gives us,” she wrote on Instagram.

“We’re even going to make caipirinhas (no kidding). We love you and will give an update next week.

Nascimento said the global tributes and messages of support that have poured in for his father are a ‘huge comfort’ as ‘we know we are not alone’

“We thank you, as always, for all the love you show us here in Brazil as well as around the world!” she added.

The man born Edson Arantes do Nascimento – but known to the world simply as Pele – has been undergoing chemotherapy since having a colon tumor removed in September last year.

Pele is the sport’s most famous player, having led Brazil to World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

France fell on penalties to Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final in Qatar as the Blues narrowly missed winning back-to-back titles, a feat not achieved since Pelé’s side in 1962.

Pelé has scored 77 goals for his national team, a career high that was recently tied by Neymar during this recent World Cup.

Kurt Chirbas and Associated Press contributed.