Three-time World Cup winner unable to attend England v Brazil at Wembley on Wednesday

Pele will be unable to visit Wembley on Wednesday night to watch his country take on England.

The Brazil legend was due to attend the mouth-watering international as The FA's guest of honour but he has taken longer than expected to recover from a recent hip operation.

Pele said: "I would like to send my sincere apologies as, unfortunately, I am unable to attend the England v Brazil match after all.

“However, I would like to wish The FA a very happy 150th anniversary.

“I will come visit England soon and I also look forward to seeing all of you next summer here in Brazil."

The three-time World Cup winner was also earmarked to be guest of honour at the inaugural FA England Awards at St. George’s Park on Sunday, one of the key highlights of The FA's 150th anniversary year, but he was forced to rule himself out of the event earlier this week.

The FA England Awards, in association with Vauxhall, will see men’s, women’s and disability players from all Club England’s 24 teams recognised with a series of awards putting all national development teams in the spotlight.

There will also be a special lifetime achievement award and England fans have voted for their Men’s Senior, Women’s Senior and Men’s Under-21 choices.

The eleven categories are:

Senior Men’s Player of the Year
Senior Women’s Player of the Year
England Men’s U21 Player of the Year
England Women’s U23 Player of the Year
England Men’s Youth Player of the Year
England Women’s Youth Player of the Year
Disability Player of the Year
Club England Team of the Year
England C Player of the Year
FA Chairman David Bernstein will choose and present the Lifetime Achievement Award
Brian Woolnough Writers’ Award