<<Print>>

Hospitalised Brazil legend Pele is improving and has "no new complications", doctors said on Tuesday.

The 82-year-old has been hospitalised for a week to treat a respiratory infection aggravated by COVID-19. He is expected to leave the hospital when he fully recovers from the infection.

"(He has) stable vital signs, is conscious, and with no new complications," the Albert Einstein hospital said in a statement.

Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, is also fighting cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.

In Qatar, the image of a young Pele celebrating goals and lifting trophies with Brazil's national team appeared on the shirts, flags and banners of Brazilian fans who gathered on Monday before their last-16 World Cup win over South Korea, which Pele had said he would be watching from hospital.

Brazil's players displayed a banner in support of Pele on the pitch as they celebrated their victory over South Korea.

The squad unfurled the banner, which featured just one word - 'Pele!' - alongside a picture of the Brazil great, in the wake of their 4-1 triumph.