Cristiano Ronaldo sends a touching message to Pele to wish him well after the Brazil legend, 81, returned to hospital to undergo tests following his last chemotherapy session after having a tumour removed
- Pele was re-admitted to hospital in Sao Paulo this week for ‘follow up treatment’
- The 81-year-old has undergone tests following his final chemotherapy session
- He had a colon tumour removed earlier this year, but remains in high spirits
- Cristiano Ronaldo sent him a social media message to wish the Brazil legend well
Cristiano Ronaldo has wished Pele well in his recovery after the all-time great was admitted to hospital once again this week.
It was revealed by the 81-year-old’s medical team on Wednesday that Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, has returned to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo for ‘follow up treatment’ after the removal of a colon tumour.
While there was no official update on the condition of the tumour or further details on the nature of his treatment, Pele has remained in high spirits – and Ronaldo has joined the masses in posting his own touching message.
Cristiano Ronaldo has wished Pele well in his recovery after he was again admitted to hospital
Pele (pictured with Ronaldo in January 2009) has returned to hospital for ‘follow up treatment’
After his procedure, Pele said in September that he would need to occasionally undergo chemotherapy sessions after being discharged. He also joked that he was ‘looking forward to playing again’ on social media.
Over the last couple of days, the legend has been inundated with a flood of support from supporters worldwide, including footballers past and present.
Posting a picture of himself clenching his fist and grinning in his hospital bed, Pele wrote on Instagram: ‘Friends, since September 30th, when I left the hospital, you know that I have been having small chemotherapy sessions as part of my treatment.
Pele, often held up as one of the greatest footballers ever, had a colon tumour removed earlier this year (pictured in hospital on Wednesday with daughter Flavia)
‘Today I’m at Albert Einstein doing the last session of 2021. I wanted to share this achievement with you.
‘After all, every little victory is a reason to celebrate, don’t you think?
‘I’m going to take this chance to do a new battery of exams, so I’m going to stay here for a few days. Don’t worry, I’m just getting ready for the holiday season!’
And in the comments section, Ronaldo posted: ‘Forca amigo’. In English, this roughly translates as ‘Stay strong my friend’.
Pele (pictured with wife Marcia Aoki and his medical team) first had surgery on the tumour in September, and was released from hospital in October to have chemotherapy at home
Pele’s colon tumour was discovered in August, after he went to hospital for routine checks. The operation to remove it then took place on September 4.
He has suffered from mobility issues since a botched hip replacement in 2012, however, and has also undergone kidney and prostate procedures in recent years.
The iconic former footballer won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970, and is still Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 77 goals in 92 matches.
In March, Pele tweeted a picture of himself with Ronaldo, after the frontman scored a hat-trick while at Juventus and surpassed the veteran’s career tally of 767 goals.
Pele is regarded as Brazil’s greatest ever player and guided his country to three World Cups
He wrote: ‘What a beautiful journey you are having!
‘I admire you a lot and this is no secret to anyone. Congratulations on breaking my record of goals in official matches.
‘I leave this photo in your honour, with great affection, as a symbol of a friendship that has existed for many years.’
