In pictures: When Pele played in Scotland

Pele and his Brazilian teammates trained at Troon FC's Portland Park in 1966

Pele has been hailed the world over as the greatest footballer to ever play the game following his death aged 82.

But one small Scottish football club has posted a special tribute to the Brazilian great after a famous visit to its ground in June 1966.

Troon FC have hailed the legendary forward "the greatest to ever have graced Portland Park" after he and his international teammates trained at the then junior team's ground in 1966.

The Brazil squad then went on to train at Kilmarnock FC's Rugby Park before facing Scotland in a friendly at Hampden.

Pele was mobbed by fans after training in Troon

The Brazil team lined up for a photograph in Troon as they prepared for a friendly match against Scotland

Pele also trained at Kilmarnock's Rugby Park ahead of the friendly match

Pele and his teammates stayed at the Marine Hotel in Troon, South Ayrshire, before training at Portland Park.

Troon FC were known in 1966 as Troon Juniors. In a statement posted on social media, the club said it was "desperately saddened" to hear of Pele's death.

"Arguably the greatest player to have ever played the game, and certainly the greatest to ever have graced Portland Park," the club added. "Quite simply, a legend."

Ian O'Connor, the former chairman of Troon FC, told BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that famous teams would often train at Troon's ground.

"From very early on, probably because of Portland Park and probably because the Marine Hotel was such an iconic hotel in those days, lots of famous footballers came," he said.

He added: "If you can't play football at Portland Park in Troon, then you can't play football."

Pele at Hampden Park ahead of a friendly match with Scotland

The Brazilian football team lining up before their warm-up match against Scotland at Hampden Park. Pele is in the front row, second from right

An exasperated Pele remonstrates after clashing with Scotland's Billy Bremner

He said Hugh McPhee, a former committee member of Troon Juniors, was also in the picture of the Brazilian team at Portland Park to the left shoulder of Pele.

"In all probability, Hughie probably told the Brazilians to hurry up and get out as Troon were training that night," he said.

Kilmarnock said the Brazil forward's visit to Rugby Park "will always be treasured by the club".

Pele trained there before a friendly match against Scotland on 25 June 1966, in preparation for the World Cup in England.

The game ended 1-1, with Pele involved in some feisty duels with his man-marker Billy Bremner.

• Brazil legend Pele dies aged 82

• Pele: A sporting icon who made football beautiful

• 'My five-minute interview with Pele'

Pele burst on to the global scene as a 17-year-old at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil to the first of their record five successes in the competition.

Injury affected his contribution to the finals in 1962, when Brazil retained their title, and 1966, where Brazil complained of unfair treatment from referees.

But he returned to lead his country to glory for a third time in Mexico in 1970, as part of what is widely regarded as the greatest line-up of all time.

Pele returned to Scotland in June 1989 as the country hosted the FIFA Under-16 World Championship.

Pele holds aloft young footballer Graham Connell, of Victoria Drive School, at Hampden Park

Pele gave a masterclass to local children at Dens Park in Dundee