Ask many Brazilians who is the greatest footballer of all time and their answer will be simple: "Pele." The striker, pictured here in 2014, won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970.
Pele: The greatest —
Ask many Brazilians who is the greatest footballer of all time and their answer will be simple: "Pele." The striker, pictured here in 2014, won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty
Pele is his country's leading goalscorer with 77 goals from 92 caps.
Record-breaker —
Pele is his country's leading goalscorer with 77 goals from 92 caps.
STAFF/AFP/Getty Images/file
The Brazil team of 1970, which beat Italy 4-1 in the World Cup final in Mexico, is widely regarded as the greatest of all time. Pele is seen here leaping on his teammates.
Classic game —
The Brazil team of 1970, which beat Italy 4-1 in the World Cup final in Mexico, is widely regarded as the greatest of all time. Pele is seen here leaping on his teammates.
STF/AFP/Getty Images/file
Pele told CNN that one of his most memorable moments as a player was winning the 1958 World Cup when he was just 17.
Teen dream —
Pele told CNN that one of his most memorable moments as a player was winning the 1958 World Cup when he was just 17.
AFP/Getty Images
Brazil also won the title in 1962 in Chile, but Pele did not play in the final after being injured in Brazil's second game.
Injury blow —
Brazil also won the title in 1962 in Chile, but Pele did not play in the final after being injured in Brazil's second game.
Getty Images
Ahead of the World Cup in 2014, Pele told CNN that his ideal final would feature Brazil and Uruguay -- so his country could win revenge for 1950's heartbreaking Maracana defeat in the deciding match between the two South American teams. But Brazil crashed out after being beaten by eventual winners Germany 7-1 in the semifinal.
Revenge mission? —
Ahead of the World Cup in 2014, Pele told CNN that his ideal final would feature Brazil and Uruguay -- so his country could win revenge for 1950's heartbreaking Maracana defeat in the deciding match between the two South American teams. But Brazil crashed out after being beaten by eventual winners Germany 7-1 in the semifinal.
STAFF/AFP/Getty Images/file
Aerial view of the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Hill, overlooking the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The famous arena hosted the 2014 World Cup final in July, 2014.
Rio ready —
Aerial view of the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Hill, overlooking the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The famous arena hosted the 2014 World Cup final in July, 2014.
VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images
Pele: Football legend

Story highlights

Pele will not take part in Friday's Olympic Opening Ceremony

The soccer legend cited physical limitations as the reason

The Games begin with the ceremony at Rio's Maracana Stadium

CNN  — 

Brazilian soccer great Pele has pulled out of the Olympic Opening Ceremony due to health concerns, it was announced Friday.

Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, it was anticipated that the three-time World Cup winner would light the Olympic Cauldron to signal the start of the 2016 Games.

But in a note released to local Brazilian media, Pele says he is not able to carry out the honor due to physical limitations.

“Dear friends, only God is more important than my health!” said the statement.

“In my life I have had fractures, surgeries, pain, hospital stays, victories and defeats, and respecting those who admire me.

“I’ve always tried not to disappoint my family and the Brazilian people. At this point, I’m not physically able to attend the opening of the Olympics.

“And as a Brazilian, I ask God to bless you all.”