HE IS arguably the greatest footballer to have laced a pair of boots, writes Michael Carr.

But how did sporting icon Pele react when he saw himself created in miniature by an Alresford sculptor?

Well, the legend said he was touched when he saw Nic Joly's pieces of himself featured as he has never been seen before as a tiny figure.

Nic Joly, 42, whose studio is in West Street, Alresford, was chosen as just one of 13 artists whose work will be displayed at The Halcyon Gallery in London at a special exhibition called Pelé: Art, Life, Football.

The exhibition runs until October 18, and celebrates the Brazil star's career, lifetime of achievements and 75th birthday.

Nic's sculptures took four months of painstaking work, and are entitled Dream Team, On the Summit, A Bright Spark and The One and Only 10.

He researched everything there was to know about Pele, not just on the pitch but off it, spoke to people who had met him and read books, websites and antique newspapers to form the ideas for his pieces.

He had the chance to meet the legendary striker whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento and talk through his artwork with him.

Each piece represents something unique about the great footballer; for instance, On the Summit represents his rise to the top from humble beginnings.

Nic said: “My work is about the small details I wanted to create a portrait of him. It was about finding the lesser known things about the man, rather than just 'Pele', and that was what I was concentrating on.

“Because ultimately he is a man called Edson, born and raised in the Three Hearts Favelas and through sheer hard work, perseverance determination and faith he reached the top.

“When we met he got my work and loved it and said thank you, he said you have made me think of things I have not thought about for a while.”

Pele's career saw him lift the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and famously 1970 in Mexico. He was capped 91 times and scored an incredible 77 goals for Brazil.