Family of Pele gather at hospital to be beside Brazilian World Cup legend at Christmas as his cancer worsens

PELE’S family have gathered to be beside him in hospital for Christmas as his cancer worsens.

His children have posted emotional snaps of themselves and the Brazil legend in following his latest health scare.

The 82-year-old has been battling colon cancer since September of last year.

Doctors said this week his cancer had advanced and that he requires care related to renal and cardiac dysfunction.

His daughter Kely Nascimento posted a picture the family including his wife Marcia Aoki gathered at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo on Instagram.

In an emotional post she wrote: “Almost all of them. Merry Christmas. Gratitude, love, togetherness, family.

“The essence of Christmas. We thank you all for all the love and light you send.”;

Earlier she posted a picture of her hugging the three times World Cup winner as his granddaughter could be seen in the background laying on a sofa.

“We continue to be here, in fight and in faith. Another night together,”; she wrote.

She also included a video of her father sleeping in bed while the family spoke to him.

The entire football world has kept Pele in their thoughts and prayers.

He has received several messages of support since his hospitalisation, including from the French star Kylian Mbappe, who called on followers to “pray for the King.”;

Kely said: “Your love for him, your stories and your prayers are a HUGE comfort because we know we are not alone.

“Let’s turn this room into a Sambadrome (just kidding), let’s even make caipirinhas (not kidding!!).”;

Pele’s son, Edinho, has also arrived at the hospital to show his support for his father.

He posted a picture on Instagram of their hands holding each other, along with the emotional message: “Father... my strength is yours”;.

Despite being hospital-bound, Pele didn’t miss out on the sensational World Cup final between Argentina and France.

He wrote on Instagram: “Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way.

“[Lionel] Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved.

“My dear friend, Mbappe, scoring four goals in a final.

“What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport.”;