Ronaldo sends supportive message to Pele who is having chemotherapy

It emerged earlier this week the three-times World Cup winner was back at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo for further treatment following the removal of a colon tumour.

The 81-year-old revealed in September he would need to keep undergoing chemotherapy sessions after leaving the hospital following his op.

He joked in a first Instagram post after the operation he was “looking forward to playing again”.

And overnight Pele received hundreds of messages of support from fans around the world including Manchester United star Ronaldo after reverting to his trademark sense of humour with his first personal health update this week by insisting: “Don’t worry, I’m just getting ready for the holiday season”.

Writing alongside a selfie snap of him in his hospital bed with a grin on his face and his left fist clenched, he wrote: “Friends, since September 30th, when I left the hospital, you know that I have been having small chemotherapy sessions as part of my treatment”.

“Today I’m at Albert Einstein doing the last session of 2021. I wanted to share this achievement with you”.

“After all, every little victory is a reason to celebrate, don’t you think?”.

“I’m going to take this chance to do a new battery of exams, so I’m going to stay here for a few days. Don’t worry, I’m just getting ready for the holiday season!”.

Ronaldo, congratulated by Pele in March for beating his career goals tally, responded by writing on the Brazilian’s Instagram: ‘Forca amigo’ – the rough equivalent of ‘Stay strong my friend’ in English.