Pele: Brazil Great Once Confused Michael Jordan With Michael Jackson

• Pele will be remembered for brilliance on the pitch, but has many memorable moments off it
• The Brazilian football legend passed away at the age of 82 after a lengthy battle with cancer
• 'O Rei' once confused basketball great Michael Jordan and the Michael Jackson the pop king

Brazilian legend Pele will always be remembered for his genius on the football field, but he had his fair share of moments away from the sport as well.

With tributes pouring in for the late icon, numerous stories about his life are also doing the rounds.

Some of these stories don’t centre on his football life, but instead on his more hilarious moments. Marca shared one tale that is already iconic, but will be remembered even more after his passing.

The publication recalled the time that Pele confused Chicago Bulls legend, Michael Jordan with the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

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What happened?

In September 2009, Pele attended a press conference in Copenhagen. He was there as an ambassador for Brazil as they sought to host the Olympic Games.

Chicago was also in the running to host the games and Jordan, an icon of the US city, was expected to be at the conference as well.

Pele was responding to questions from the press when he got the two Michaels mixed up, and switched the surnames of Jordan and Jackson.

He was quickly corrected by someone and upon realising his error, laughed along with those in attendance.

Pele: Tyson, Snoop share memories

Legendary boxer, Mike Tyson has taken time to relive some of the memories he shared with icon Pele, Sports Brief earlier reported.

The football great lost his battle with colon cancer on December 29, bringing to an end the life of one of the greatest players of all time.

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Tyson revealed that he first met Pele when he was 21 years old. The Baddest Man on the Planet was speaking on his podcast Hotboxing with Mike, alongside hip-hop and rap star Snoop Dogg.

Pele: the world in mourning

The news of the passing of soccer legend Pele sent the world at large into a state of mourning. He lost the battle with illness after weeks of hospitalisation in Sao Paulo.

The news of his death was confirmed by his daughter Kely Nascimento on Instagram, and the rest of the world took it from there, with 'RIP Pele' taking over social media trends since.

Argentina captain and World Cup winner, Lionel Messi also took to social media to bid a fond farewell to the Brazilian football legend.