The three-time FIFA World Cup winner has been in hospital since November 29 for a respiratory infection and "re-evaluation of the chemotherapy treatment over colon cancer identified in September 2021".

Updates from the Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital and his daughter Kely Nascimento earlier this week confirmed that Pelé would spend Christmas away from home due to his health worsening.

Bach has become the latest high-profile sports official to send his regards to the 82-year-old.

"[Pelé], our thoughts are with you," the IOC President said.

"Wishing you all the very best from the bottom of my heart."

In her message earlier this week, Nascimento thanked those who had provided their best wishes for "all the love you show us here in Brazil as well as around the world".

She has since posted a picture of Pelé on Instagram, writing: "Here we go, in the fight and in faith. 

"One more night together."

Pelé, considered one of the greatest players of all time, remains the youngest player to score in a World Cup final as he scored twice in Brazil's 5-2 victory over hosts Sweden in 1958 at the age of 17.

He went on to lift the trophy again in 1962 and 1970, and is his country's joint-top scorer in men's international football with 77 goals from 92 games.

Brazil's players held a banner with his name and a picture following their round-of-16 victory against South Korea at the Qatar 2022 World Cup on December 5.

In 1999, the IOC named Pelé Athlete of the Century.

In 2016, Bach presented him with the Olympic Order in his home town of Santos as the Olympic Games were held in Brazil for the first time in Rio de Janeiro.