Pele's family gather at his hospital bedside for Christmas

SAO PAULO: Family members spent Christmas on Sunday (Dec 25) with Pele at the Sao Paulo hospital where the legendary footballer is battling worsening cancer as well as kidney and heart problems, according to social media posts by his children.

Fans of the player, considered by many the greatest of all time, have been expressing hope for his recovery since he was hospitalised in late November.

Shortly after midnight, at the start of Christmas Day, Pele's daughter Kely Nascimento posted a picture of the footballer's wife, Marcia Aoki, and other family members gathered at the Albert Einstein Hospital where he is being treated. Pele was not visible in the image.

"Almost all of us. Merry Christmas. Gratitude, love, union, family. The essence of Christmas. We thank you all for all the love and light you send us," Kely wrote.

Later Sunday, Pele's son Joshua Arantes joined the family at the hospital, according to another post by Kely.

On Wednesday, the hospital announced Pele's colon cancer was showing "progression" and he needed "more extensive care to treat kidney and heart failure."

Earlier that day, his daughters had announced he would not be home for Christmas.

Edinho, Pele's son - who was recently appointed coach of Brazilian Serie B football club Londrina, based in Parana in the north - arrived on Christmas Eve at the medical center, where he joined his sisters Kely and Flavia Arantes do Nascimento.

He posted a photo on Instagram showing him holding the football star's hand, captioning it: "Father... my strength is yours."

Edinho, an ex-goalkeeper, arrived a day after having explained his absence at his father's side to local media.

"I would like to be present, but I am committed to my mission here. I'm not a doctor, I couldn't