Worcester pro footballer Alan Green played against Pele

Former Coventry City striker Alan Green, born and bred in Tolladine, played against the three times World Cup winner in the 1970s in the Far East, describing him as 'the greatest of all time' and a 'wonderful player'.

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Mr Green, who has an England cap, even had his photo taken at a poolside with 'laid back' and 'friendly' Pele when he found they were staying at the same hotel.

In an even more striking coincidence, the two also played for the New York Cosmos - though not at the same time.

SKILLED: Both Pele and Alan Green played for the New York Cosmos (Image: Alan Green)

Tributes have poured in from across the world for the Brazilian, arguably the greatest player ever, who died at the age of 82 on December 29.

He is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country.

HONOUR: Alan Green gets a warm welcome from Pele who insisted the Coventry City player join him for a photo (Image: Alan Green)

Mr Green, age 68, also met Pele a second time in New York at the Giants Stadium and the two were again pictured together.

Mr Green played for the New York Cosmos in the 1980s, a team Pele had also played for between 1975 and 1977.

Mr Green played against Pele in Bangkok, Thailand during an end-of-season tour in 1972.

The clash between Coventry and Pele's team, Santos, ended with Mr Green scoring a goal.

"That made it even more remarkable," said Mr Green who now lives in Hallow.

He came on as a sub in the last 15 minutes of the game, saw the keeper was off his line and lobbed the ball into the back of the net.

The game finished a 2-2 draw - and he does not believe Pele himself scored during the encounter.

Alan Green's England Cap - his team won the Little World Cup (Image: Alan Green)

Mr Green, who was part of the England side that won the Little World Cup in Spain, added: "The good thing was both sides were staying in the same hotel.

"Jimmy Holmes was taking the picture and Pele motioned me over to join him for the photo on the sun loungers.

"He was an absolutely wonderful player. For me, he was the best player I have ever seen. I believe he was the GOAT - the greatest of all time."

He said Pele was very friendly and laid back but it was difficult to communicate with him as the icon did not speak much English.

Mr Green, a former Gorse Hill Primary and Samuel Southall Secondary (now Bishop Perowne) pupil, has deep roots in Worcester but also lived for 17 years in America and has a daughter, 35, who lives in Jacksonville, Florida.

Pele remains the only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He was named Fifa's Player of the Century in 2000.

President Jair Bolsonaro declared three days of national mourning after his death.

Pele had been suffering from kidney and prostate problems in recent years.

He had surgery to remove a tumour from his colon in September 2021 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, after the tumour was detected in routine tests. He was readmitted to hospital in late November 2022.