Brazil pay touching homage to Pele after 4-1 win over South Korea at 2022 Qatar World Cup
Brazil remembered their all-time legend, Pele, in a touching gesture as they brought out his banner after their big win over South Korea at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Brazil pummeled South Korea 4-1 winners to book their spot in the next round of the tournament.
A rampant Brazil scored four goals without reply in the first-half, with Vinicius Jr opening the scoring in the seventh minute.
Neymar doubled his side’s lead with an ice-cold penalty. Richarlison completed a stunning team move to make it 3-0 and Lucas Paqueta bagged their fourth before the break.
He was thought to be watching the match from his hospital bed, with the national team offering their support to the three-time World Cup winner.
Pele was reported to have said he is “strong with a lot of hope” as he undergoes treatment in hospital in Sao Paulo.
In a statement released on Saturday, he said messages of support as well as watching Brazil at the World Cup had given him “energy”.
It follows a report in Brazil that he was beginning end-of-life care after not responding to chemotherapy.
PHOTO: Getty Images vis BBC
“My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive,” he said in a statement on Instagram.
“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.”
England, Germany, others send well-wishes
Speaking on Saturday, England captain Harry Kane said: “We are very sad to hear news of him being ill but we wish him well, not just me but the whole England set-up. He’s an inspiration, an incredible person.”
World Cup-winning former Germany forward Jurgen Klinsmann, speaking on BBC One’s World Cup coverage on Saturday, said: “Pele is just such a wonderful person. The outstanding personality of world football. We can just pray and hope for the best.”
Former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta added on BBC One: “It’s very sad news to hear about Pele. He’s been a true inspiration for all of us, on and off the pitch. He’s always been a great man.”
“Pray for the King,” France forward Kylian Mbappe tweeted.
Brazil will resume their Qatar venture on Friday when they face Croatia for a spot in the semi-finals.
Pele could watch Tite’s side as they look to add another World Cup to their trophy cabinet.
His daughters Kely and Flavia provided an update on the health of the former footballer during an interview.
Kely said: “About three weeks ago he got Covid. He is vaccinated, with all the vaccines, but because of the cancer medicine, the chemotherapy, which is fragile, he got a lung infection.
“That’s why he went to the hospital, because of the lung infection. Is he serious? It’s serious, because he’s a certain age, he’s treating cancer.”
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