WORLD CUP icon Pele has revealed he is “rooting” for Brazil ahead of their clash against South Korea.
Pele, 82, is in hospital to help battle a Covid-aggravated infection.
But he has not let his illness stop him from supporting his juniors as they bid to win the World Cup for the first time since 2002.
Taking to Twitter, the Samba Boys legend shared a photo of himself when he was younger and said: “In 1958, I walked the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I made to my father.
“I know that today many have made similar promises and are also going in search of their first World Cup.
“I will watch the game from the hospital and I will be rooting for each one of you. Good luck!”
Pele is the only player to have won the World Cup three times, doing so in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
He was hospitalised earlier this week after he stopped responding to chemotherapy as he battles bowel cancer.
Reports had emerged stating Pele had been moved to palliative end-of-life care.
However, his family came out to deny these rumours and provided a positive health update.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
Daughter Kely Nascimento said: “He is sick, he is old. But at the moment, he is there because of the lung infection. And once he feels better, he will go home again.
“He is not saying goodbye in a hospital at the moment.”
Pele’s other daughter, Flavia, added: “It is very unfair for people to say he is in the end of his life, in palliative care. Guys, that’s not true. Believe us.
“He is not in intensive care, he is in a regular bedroom. He is not in risk, he is in treatment.”
Brazil face off against South Korea later today hoping to secure a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals.
