SAO PAULO (REUTERS) - Brazilian football great Pele, who celebrates his 80th birthday on Friday (Oct 23), is still revered in his home country even if his once unassailable position as the greatest player of all time is now a matter for hot debate.

The Santos, New York Cosmos and Brazil striker is the only man to win the World Cup three times and was for decades widely held to be the greatest of all time (GOAT).