A collection of nearly 300 artifacts and iconic memorabilia is set to be presented at Mall Galleries in London on September 22 featuring signed and inscribed jerseys and photographs, team shirts, personal wardrobe and more offered directly from the legendary Brazilian footballer hailed by FIFA as "the greatest" of the game.

Highlights are expected to include Pelé’s personally commissioned 18-karat gold plated bronze foot, which he sat for in its creation with the famous Roman sculptor, Dante Mortet, of the renowned Mortet family of sculptors who began making chalices for the Pope 120 years ago, which is estimated to fetch between $4,000 (£3,000/€3,500) and $6,000 (£4,500/€5,000).

A personally commissioned 18-karat gold Dante Mortet gold plated bronze of his footprint attached to a board is also due to go up for sale and could fetch up to $5,000 (£3,500/€4,000).

Pelé’s signed finger-printed photograph of his infamous leap into the air with team mates at the 1970 World Cup, when he scored the opening goal in Brazil's 4-1 victory over Italy as they won the trophy for a record third time, is expected to raise between $200 (£140/€160) and $300 (£200/€250).

Pelé’s Santos collared shirt signed inscribed in honour of his 80th birthday and 50th anniversary of Pelé's third World Cup triumph in 1970, along with two his signed and inscribed Santos goalkeeper shirts, are also to go under the hammer with prices predicted to reach up for $500 (£350/€430) for each.

Pelé’s total of 1,279 goals in 1,363 matches which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness world record.

He is the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games.

Pelé was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and included on Time’s 100 list of most important people of the 20th century,

Planning for the auction has coincided with Pelé being treated in a hospital in São Paulo after having surgery to remove a tumour from his colon.

It was announced today that he expected to be moved from intensive care later this week.

All proceeds will go towards The Pelé Foundation, a new charitable endeavour that will benefit organisations around the world and their dedicated efforts to empower children, specifically around poverty alleviation, access to education and aid with refugee crisis, and the Pelegacy the COVID-19 situation in Brazil.

Brazil is one of the countries worst affected by the pandemic with a total of 21 million cases and 587,000 deaths.

To launch this initiative, superstars and public figures from the worlds of sports and entertainment have gifted items to Pelé for the auction, some of which were originally given in his honour via Pelegacy.

Franz Beckenbauer, David Beckham, Derek Jeter, Cristiano Ronaldo, Maria Sharapova, Jairzinho, Justin Timberlake, Kenyon Martin, Rafael Marquez, Kylian Mbappé, Luka Modrić, Neymar, Mario Zagallo and Thiago Silva are among the stars who have contributed.

"Julien’s Auctions is honoured to partner with the legendary Pelé, who is revered not only as an international sports hero and icon but a cultural figure for his activism and aid for the disenfranchised and poor around the world," said Darren Julien, President and chief executive of Julien’s Auctions.

"In response to the COVID-19 crisis, we are proud to announce that all proceeds of this charity auction will go towards The Pelé Foundation, whose mission is to help the hardest hit and most underserved communities particularly in Pelé’s native homeland of Brazil.

"We are most grateful to Pelé and all of the athletes and stars who have generously contributed nearly 300 spectacular items, many of which represent the biggest moments of their careers and championship seasons, to this most urgent endeavour."