Brazil great Pele has died at the age of 82.

The three-time World Cup winner had been in hospital in Sao Paulo since late November.

Pele's daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram: "We are thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace."

Pele burst on to the global scene as a 17-year-old at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil to the first of their record five successes in the competition.

Injury affected his contribution to the finals in 1962, when Brazil retained their title, and 1966.

He captained Brazil when they won the title for a third time in Mexico in 1970, widely regarded as the greatest team of all time.

Pele is credited with 1,281 goals.

He was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in the state of Minas Gerais. His father was a professional footballer.

Having been signed by local club Santos at age 15, he was selected in the Brazil squad for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden and as a 17 year old won his first World Cup medal.

Pelé scored a hat-trick in the semi-final against France, and two goals in the final against Sweden, helping Brazil to its first World Cup ctrown.

Injury hampered his1962 World Cup  in Chile,where Brazil retained the trophy.

At the 1966 World Cup in England i Pele was the object of brutal treatment from defenders,where he was regularly hacked down in possession.

At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, 29 years old Pele starred as Brazil regained the trophy .

He headed Brazil in front in the final against Italy and his beautiful pass into the path of Carlos Alberto completed one of the great team goals for their fourth goal in a 4-1 win and third World Cup medal.

Known for his great sportsmanship, he will, also, be remembered at that 1970 tournament for congratulating England 'keeper Gordon Banks for bringing off one of the greatest reflex saves ever seen when Banks got down on the goalline to a close-in downwards Pele header and flicking it upwards over the bar for an unbelievable save.

In an18-year spell at Brazilian club Santos he won every honour in Brazilian football as well as two Copa Libertadores - the equivalent of the Champions League and two Intercontinental Cups and, of course, three World Cup medals

Truly the greatest!

FIFA President Gianni Infantino gave this reaction on his Instagram account:

President Higgins commented: “It is with a deep sense of sadness that members of the football family throughout the world will have heard of the death of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, universally known and loved as Pelé.

"It is particularly poignant that Pelé should have died so soon after the World Cup, that greatest stage which he graced like no other.

"From his goals seen in black and white as a 17 year old in Sweden in 1958 to his technicolour triumph with arguably the greatest ever Brazilian team in Mexico twelve years later in 1970, Pelé’s name will always be synonymous with the World Cup as its only three time winner.

"Indeed his name will forever be synonymous with football itself, as perhaps the greatest player ever to play the game.

"In addition to his remarkable talent and record breaking goal scoring feats, the sheer joy with which he embraced the game will continue to inspire and bring people to the sport for generations to come.

"That was a spirit which he brought beyond the pitch and reflected in his life after retirement, where he lent support to many humanitarian causes.

"I had the pleasure of meeting Pelé on a number of occasions in the 1980s and 1990s and our last meeting was on a working visit to Mexico in 2013 in Guadalajara. In each of our meetings I was struck by that same sense of joy with which he graced the football pitch.

"May I express my sympathies to his wife Marcia Aoki, to his children, to his wider family and to all his many friends and admirers throughout the world," he added.