By Jacob Ajom,

Football legend Pelé has pulled-out of lighting the Olympic Cauldron at this evening’s Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony due to his poor health.

This is a major surprise considering the three-time World Cup winner, surely Brazil’s most recognisable person worldwide, had been heavy favourite to carry-out the lighting duties. The 75-year-old had been walking with aid of a stick after hip surgery, and has also been suffering from muscle pains. He emphas-ised that it was purely his own decision to withdraw.

“I’m not physically able to attend the opening of the Olympics at the famous Maracanã Stadium,” he said in a statement.

“Only God is more important than my health. In my life, I’ve had fractures, surgeries, pain, hospital stays, victories and defeats.”