Pelé allays fear about health says  ‘I am strong with a lot of hope,’ 

There was confusion over the health of Pelé on Saturday night after a hospital was forced to put out a new statement on the condition of the former Brazil international after earlier reports that he had been moved to “end-of-life” palliative care.

The 82-year-old had been receiving treatment for colon cancer, having undergone surgery to remove a tumour in September last year, and São Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital said last night that he remained in “a stable condition”.

Pelé also issued a statement on Instagram seeking to reassure his fans. “My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive,” he said. “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 watching Brazil in the World Cup too! Thank you so much for everything.”

The statements came after the news outlet Folha de São Paulo’s report earlier in the day that the three-times World Cup winner’s chemotherapy had been suspended and he was undergoing measures aimed at relieving pain and shortness of breath. “He is still undergoing treatment and remains in stable condition,” the hospital said.

Harry Kane, the England captain, said on Saturday: “We send our best wishes to him and his family as well. He’s an inspiration, an incredible footballer and an incredible person.”

Recalling some personal advice that Pelé once gave Kane — that he should never believe he is the best player in the world and keep learning — the Tottenham Hotspur striker, 29, added: “To hear those words back then from him was really special for me.

“I feel like I’m someone who is always learning and will continue to learn for the rest of my career, so he was spot on with his advice. Sad to hear that news, but we wish him well — not just me but the whole England set-up as well.”

After reports that Pelé, considered football’s first world superstar, had been taken back into hospital in São Paulo amid growing concerns for his health, his daughter Kely Nascimento posted an update on social media stating there was no “new dire prediction”.

On Thursday, a post on Pelé’s Instagram account looked to allay any serious worries.

Attached to a photograph of a “get well soon” message displayed on buildings at the World Cup in Qatar, the Brazil great wrote: “Friends, I am at the hospital making my monthly visit. It’s always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes!”

Pelé burst on to the global scene as a 17-year-old at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil to the first of their record five successes.

Injury affected his contribution to the 1962 and 1966 finals, but he returned to lead Brazil to a third triumph in Mexico in 1970 as part of what is widely regarded as the greatest international team of all time.

Officially, Pelé scored 757 goals in 831 games during a glittering career from 1957 to 1977, although his former club Santos claim the legendary forward’s goal tally was closer to 1,000.