Pele reveals he turned down the chance to become Fifa president

Brazilian football legend Pele has revealed he turned down the chance to become Fifa president. It is not clear when the three-time World Cup winner was offered the chance to run for the presidency – before or after Sepp Blatter's reign at Fifa came to an end surrounded by controversy.

Blatter was replaced by Gianni Infantino, who has been warned world football's governing body faces years of rebuilding its reputation. Pele would have been a popular choice but he revealed he is happier in his role as a football ambassador.

"I don't think I'll be a good president of Fifa because I like to help everyone all over the world. I travel all over the world. Then when you're president of one organization maybe you have separation. But I want to be with everyone. I prefer not to be president of Fifa," he said.

The Fifa Player of the Century will give fans a chance to select from over 2,000 items ranging from memorabilia, awards and personal property in a London auction. For 20 years, the 75-year-old played professionally in Brazil, clinching three World Cups titles during his tenure, and ended his career with the New York Cosmos.

Pele said he is having the auction in order to share his career with fans and to support charities and his growing family. The sale will be held in London on 7-9 June by Julien's Auctions. Pele's life story will also be told in the new biopic, Pele: Birth of a Nation, which had its world premiere during New York's Tribeca Film Festival.