Brazilian football legend Pele 'has been moved to palliative care' in hospital and is 'no longer responding to chemotherapy' in his fight against bowel cancer.
Reports in Brazil said the 82-year-old, who went into hospital last week, is receiving measures to relieve pain in an 'end-of life palliative care' ward.
His former club Santos and the France international forward Kylian Mbappe were among those tweeting good wishes, joining fans around the world.
He was admitted into the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday suffering from 'general swelling' and 'heart failure'.
An update on Thursday said the three-time World Cup winner was in a 'stable' condition in the hospital with his daughter Kely insisting there was 'no cause for alarm'.
However, a report by Folha de Sao Paulo on Saturday, said Pele isn't responding any longer to the chemotherapy treatment he has been undergoing since last September to treat his bowel cancer.
They said he is now in palliative care and won't be subjected to invasive tests or treatment. Palliative care is for patients with potentially life-threatening diseases or conditions and end-of-life care.
Pele - whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento - is regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time.
He won three World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970, and scored 643 goals in 659 official matches for the Brazilian club Santos. He scored 77 times in 92 games for his country's national team.
On Friday, the Albert Einstein Hospital released a statement saying Pele had been diagnosed with a 'respiratory infection' that was being treated with antibiotics.
The update said the former player is expected to remain in hospital for continued treatment in the coming days but said his condition was 'stable'.
In a post on Pele's Instagram account on Friday, he responded to a 'Get well soon' message that was projected onto a building in Qatar, where the World Cup is taking place.
He 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.'
Pele has been moved to palliative care in hospital, according to reports in Brazil.
The aim of such treatment is to prevent and relieve suffering for those patients who are facing life-threatening illness.
Also known as 'end of life care', it is for people believed to be in the last months or years of their lives and also provides support to their families.
The NHS website says: 'If you have an illness that cannot be cured, palliative care makes you as comfortable as possible by managing your pain and other distressing symptoms.
'It also involved psychological, social and spiritual support for you and your family or carers.
'Palliative care is available when you first learn you have a life-limiting (terminal) illness. You might be able to receive palliative care while you are still receiving other therapies to treat your conditions.
'End of life care is a form of palliative care you receive when you're close to the end of life.'
Pele recorded a video for Instagram on his 82nd birthday back on October 23 and accompanied it with the message: 'On my birthday, I just want to express my gratitude. Life is good. Turning 82 with my family, in good health, is the best gift. Thank you for everything I have received.'
The Thursday update from the hospital had said Pele was in a 'stable condition' and 'in full control of vital functions' having not been admitted to an Intensive Care United [ICU].
A statement issued to the Brazilian media said: 'After medical evaluation, the patient was taken to a common room, without the need for hospitalisation in a semi-intensive unit or ICU.
'The former player is in full control of vital function and [in a] stable clinical condition.'
The hospital confirmed Pele had been taken into hospital 'for a reassessment of the chemotherapy treatment of the colon tumour identified in September 2021.'
Pele was hospitalised for six days last year and underwent surgery to remove a tumour in his colon. The Globo news site in Brazil said Pele was undergoing routine examinations in Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Hospital when the undisclosed issue was detected.
It came as Brazil fans unfurled a 'Get well soon Pele' banner ahead of their final World Cup group match against Cameroon on Friday night.
There had also been heartfelt tributes from with the Brazil camp ahead of the game.
'We found out the news on Wednesday,' coach Tite said ahead of the Cameroon game.
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