Brazilian football legend Pelé visits Staffordshire pub

Three-time world cup winner Pelé, who scored 1,281 goals over the course of a 21-year career, spoke to an audience of 300 people at Bar Sport in Cannock about growing up, his footballing career and life since his retirement in 1977.

Pelé, 75, spoke for 45 minutes with host Paul Burrell and took questions from the audience. He spoke about how his greatest footballing inspiration was his father, who also played professional football.

However, when discussing modern football, he had some bad news for Cristiano Ronaldo: "For the past few years [Lionel] Messi, to me, was the best player," he told the audience.

The bar, which is owned by former boxer Scott Murray, has previously paid host to sporting figures as varied as retired Formula 1 driver Sir Stirling Moss and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Murray, who is pictured above alongside Pelé, said of the legendary footballer's appearance: “We have been honoured to have welcomed numerous sporting celebrities to Bar Sport over the years, but nothing tops the world’s greatest footballer of all time – Pele.

"The whole day was fantastic, to have such a sporting legend visit the bar was just breathtaking, he was a real gentleman and to have the chance to find out more about his career was a real treat.

"I'd like to thank everyone who came, and I'd also like to congratulate those who managed to win something in the auction."