Pele Death Hoax Circulates on Twitter as Football Legend Remains Under Special Care in Hospital

Brazilian football legend Pele, who is currently in hospital for a urinary infection, has become the latest victim of celebrity death hoax.

The 74-year-old three-time World Cup winner was admitted to a special unit at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.

The hashtag #RIPPele started trending on Twitter after news spread of his condition.

Can't believe Pele's died
— Jammy Dodger Reds (@mufc_olly) November 27, 2014

Brazilian legend Pele has died in hospital after his condition worsened from a urinary infection. #RIP pic.twitter.com/8RRD4Wp7bw
— Abdul (@AbdulLiverpool1) November 27, 2014

@LorenaGarciaRmz @laaficion @Pele unfortunately he died, the media wants to hide, but he is no longer with us = (
— lipe (@liipeHarper) November 28, 2014

when i'm searching pele: pele died OMD pic.twitter.com/dApuBzYMi4
— Timo (@Grizilogy) November 27, 2014

However, Pele is alive and well, and he took to the microblogging website to reveal he is doing fine.

Hello everyone, I want to take this opportunity to let you know that I am doing fine.
— PelÃ© (@Pele) November 27, 2014

I was not put into intensive care today, I was simply relocated to a special room within the hospital for privacy purposes only.
— PelÃ© (@Pele) November 27, 2014

While I appreciate all the visitors that came to see me, I really need to continue my treatment and recovery in peace.
— PelÃ© (@Pele) November 27, 2014

I am blessed to receive your love and support, and thank God this is nothing serious.
— PelÃ© (@Pele) November 27, 2014

I am looking forward to spending the upcoming holidays with my family,
— PelÃ© (@Pele) November 27, 2014

and will start the new year with renewed health, with many international trips already planned! Thank you!
— PelÃ© (@Pele) November 27, 2014

Numerous celebrities have faced similar hoaxes, and the list keeps growing. In the past people have tweeted about the deaths of Bill Cosby, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Margaret Thatcher, Phil Collins, Kris Jenner, Denzel Washington, Adele, John Witherspoon, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.

A death hoax involving the Fast & Furious star Paul Walker was doing the rounds on the internet on the eve of his actual demise in a car crash in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman personally came forward to clear rumours and poke fun at fake stories suggesting he had died, assuring fans he was alive and well.

Twitter