Football legend Pele left a bombshell secret revelation in his will - he may have yet another daughter.
His family was stunned to find the Brazilian star named a woman who was born after he had an illicit relationship with her mother in the 1980s.
And in the will Pele insisted that the woman must have a DNA test. If it proved positive she would also be entitled to a huge slice of his fortune. When Pele, the only man to have ever won the World Cup three times, died in December his wealth was estimated at £12m.
But now reports in Brazil suggest it could be as high as £75m. In a separate development it emerged that his stepdaughter has also officially applied to be an heir.
If successful that would mean she would also be entitled to a chunk of the money as well. So there are now two women trying to see if they are legally entitled to some of Pele's fortune.
Pele, who was married three times, has seven confirmed children and six grandchildren. Maria do Socorro Azevedo has been named as the possible new daughter. Gemina Lemos Macmahon is his stepdaughter from his last marriage to Marcia Aoki.
Lawyer Augusto Miglioli, who represents three of Pele's children, said of Maria's claim … “The part that would be allocated to her, given the possibility that she is an heir, will necessarily be reserved.”
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Last year Maria started an official paternity recognition process before the Sao Paulo State Public Defender. The Regional Court even notified Pele, but the deterioration of his health prevented a DNA test.
A source said: “Pelé mentioned in his will the existence of Maria do Socorro Azevedo who could be his daughter and officially expressed she must receive part of his assets if the DNA test confirms the paternity.
“It seems Pelé used the will to let his family know about the heir.” Under Brazilian law how the money is finally distributed will not be made public unless the family chose to do so.
Pele was widely regarded as the greatest footballer, and sportsman, of all time. He died aged 82 in hospital in Sao Paulo on December 29th after a long battle with cancer.
Pele had a complicated love life and had numerous affairs. But when he died the world of sport went into mourning with tributes being paid from world famous politicians like former US President Bill Clinton.
At his funeral in his home city of Santos hundreds of thousands of fans turned out to line the streets to say their final goodbyes. His open coffin was placed in the centre circle of Santos's stadium and supporters filed solemnly past day and night.
Some waited 12 hours in a queue to pay their respects. Pele was laid to rest in a vertical cemetery which overlooks the ground and where his beloved father is interned.
He made his debut as a 15-year-old but shot to fame two years later when he was in the Brazil side that won the 1958 World Cup.