The football world was shocked this week by the health status of Pele, one of the best footballers of all time. But fortunately Pelé’s family soon announced that his life was not in danger. Nevertheless, Pelé had to watch the game against South Korea from the hospital and several fans therefore went to the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo. With the Brazilian media in their wake.
A special press room has been set up in the hospital, purely because of the presence of Pelé. UOL Esporte thus released a special match report. “As the kick-off got closer, we saw more and more people walking around in Brazil shirts. The employees ran back and forth, as if they were on the field,” the Brazilian medium describes the crowds at the hospital.
Fans gathered in São Paulo, but couldn’t see the game on television because of it. Outside telephones helped. “Goal,” shouted the person with the fastest internet connection. “Goal, goal, goal,” followed in quick succession. However, the euphoria was not there, silence is appreciated in and around hospitals and so there was no time for exuberant celebration of the goals.
UOL Esporte itself also had trouble following the match. There was no television in the specially equipped press room, the journalists took care of that themselves. Dozens of journalists gathered around one small television screen. When there was a little cheering after the 2-0. A hospital employee came in to say that everything was going well with O Rei.
The score quickly dissipated the tension and UOL Esporte noted that the unusual crowds in front of the entrance to the hospital quickly disappeared. A mother and son left the hospital and they were more interested in all the cameras than in the standings. After the game, several fans tried to deliver gifts, flowers and cards for their idol. But they did not get past security. “It makes quite a difference now that Pele is here,” an employee was quoted as saying. “Everyone has only one goal, that O Rei has a happy and long life.”
