Sao Paulo (Brazil), June 23: Soccer legend Pele was held at gunpoint by a band of youths who robbed his gold necklace, cell phone and a watch, according to local news media report.

The incident which took place on June 13 but was not made public until now, occurred near the city of Santos in southern Sao Paulo state, the respected news magazine Veja reported on its Website.

Pele, was riding in the passenger seat of a car when it was stopped near a slum by at least 10 young men armed with pistols and knives, the report said. Veja said Pele did not report the crime to police. No one answered repeated telephone calls to Pele’s office Sunday.

Pele spokesman told friends about the robbery while attending last week’s soccer match between Brazil and Argentina.—AP