Health concerns grow for football icon Pele

The Brazilian legend has been battling colon cancer

There are renewed fears for the health of football giant Pele after the iconic former Brazil international was hospitalized amid reports that he has been experiencing “general swelling” as well as suffering from cardiac issues.

However, his daughter, Kely Nascimento, has tried to allay concerns with a social media post on Wednesday in which she said there was “no emergency or new dire prediction” in the health of the former FIFA World Cup winner.

This follows a report from ESPN Brazil, which stated that Pele had been admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, where he has been undergoing a series of tests to determine if there has been a downturn in his health.

The same outlet also reported that Pele was suffering from poor heart health, and that staff at the hospital had become concerned about Pele’s response to chemotherapy treatment, with initial reporting suggesting that he may be suffering from decompensated heart failure.

Pele's daughter, Kely Nascimento, has confirmed he is back in hospital, but says "there are no surprises or emergencies" and that her father is "regulating medication" for cancer.

Get well soon, @Pele