Kane offers a message of hope
Pele has been moved to palliative care in hospital, according to reports in Brazil.
News outlet Folha reported that the former Brazil international’s chemotherapy has been suspended, and he was undergoing measures aimed at relieving pain and a shortness of breath.
The 82-year-old has been receiving treatment for colon cancer, having undergone surgery to remove a tumour during September 2021.
Following reports Pele – considered football’s first world superstar – had been taken back into hospital 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 evening, a post on Pele’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!”
England captain Harry Kane, speaking ahead of the last-16 match against Senegal tonight, said the team was sending its best wishes to Pele and his family.
He said: “He is an inspiration among our game. He’s an incredible footballer, and an incredible person.
“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.”
Pele burst onto 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, Pele scored 757 goals in 831 games during a glittering career from 1957 to 1977, although his club, Santos, claim his tally was closer to 1,000.
■ Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out of the remainder of Brazil’s World Cup campaign after the Arsenal forward suffered a knee injury in the loss to Cameroon.
The 25-year-old came off the bench in Brazil’s opening two Group G wins before starting the 1-0 defeat to Cameroon.
He played 64 minutes before being replaced by Pedro and the Brazilian football governing body confirmed yesterday that his World Cup ass over due to a ligament injury.
Full-back Alex Telles, on loan at Sevilla from Manchester United, suffered a similar fate to Jesus, it was announced.
“Players Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus underwent tests on Saturday morning accompanied by Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar,” a statement read.
“An MRI on their right knees confirmed the extent of the injuries, and the impossibility of recovery in time to participate in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.”
It’s understood Jesus will stay with the squad in Qatar for the time being rather than returning to Arsenal, who will be in close contact for updates on the injury.
Jesus has scored five goals for the Gunners this season, having joined from Manchester City in the summer.
But it remains to be seen if the issue will impact on Arsenal’s campaign.
■ Matches in the World Cup group stage saw an average of 12 minutes of stoppage time played, about five minutes longer than previous tournaments.
More than 60% of games lasted over 100 minutes.
A stricter interpretation of stoppage time applied by FIFA has seen numbers up across the board while injuries – such as the blow to the head suffered by Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand against England, leading to 14 additional minutes in the first half – have skewed things further still.
That game was the longest of the tournament so far at a total of 117min 16sec, with the scheduled 10 added minutes in the second half extended to over 13 by a VAR review of an Iranian penalty.
It is not alone, with the 48 games averaging exactly 102 minutes, and 30 of them breaking the threshold of 10 minutes of total stoppage time.
The 30 matches to top 100 minutes in the group stage in Qatar almost matches the total for the Premier League season so far.
There have been 32 such games out of 146 contested in England’s top flight, just under 22%, with the list topped by Everton against Chelsea on August 6.
At 110min 21sec, that game was almost four minutes longer than the next Premier League fixture on the list.