Peter Shilton has shared his fond memories of Pele after the death of the legendary footballer yesterday, aged 82.
The three-time World Cup winner had been in hospital in Sao Paulo since late November.
This year, he was admitted to the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo on November 29 with a respiratory infection and remained there until his death.
The hospital said in a statement Pele died at 3.27pm local time (6.27pm GMT) on Thursday “due to the failure of multiple organs as a result of the progression of colon cancer”.
Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram: “We are thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace.”
Tributes have poured in for the football great from across the world.
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton joined Nana Akua and Martin Daubney on GB News to reflect on the legacy of Pele and what set him apart from the rest.
Peter Shilton joined Nana Akua and Martin Daubney on GB News
GB News
He said: “He was the greatest player we've seen in football, I think, and, you know, he didn't have a weakness. He was good at everything, he was a fantastic player.
“I had a great moment when I was 18 because I was sat on the bench when England played in Rio de Janeiro in South America. To see him in the flesh, close up, was unbelievable and it was a great feeling.
“I do remember personally when I was playing for the football league against the rest of the world at Wembley in ’87, and he was the guest on the day, and he was introduced to teams.
“When he came to me, for some reason, he grabbed me and put his arms around me and gave me the biggest hug. He was that sort of person he was a really friendly man as well, and a gentleman, I think he had the full package, he had everything.
“Fans just adored him, never had a weakness, really. To win three World Cups was incredible and he played a big part in all of them. We all remember 1970, obviously. Going around the world, he was just a great ambassador for the game at that time. And the fans adored him because he was a gentleman.”
Pele died yesterday aged 82 with his family around him after battling with colon cancer
ROBERTO JAYME