Brazil's two-time world champion Zito dies

José Ely de Miranda, best known as Zito, a two-time World Cup winner with Brazil, has died at the age of 82, his former club Santos announced on Monday.

Zito had been suffering from the effects of a stroke for almost a year before passing away at home on Sunday.

The long-serving midfielder played 727 times for his beloved Santos and won the world game's top prize in 1958 and 1962.

Zito spent 15 years of his playing career with Santos, winning the Copa Libertadores in 1962 and 1963. He later went on to join the backroom staff and was behind the recruitment of such stars as Robinho in 1996 and Neymar in 2003.

In an official statement the Brazilian Football Confederation credited Zito with bringing Brazil captain Neymar to Santos during his time on the backroom staff.

The Barcelona striker posted an archive picture of himself with Zito on Twitter, writing: "I have no words to describe this guy, I just appreciate everything you did for me... Thanks Zito."

CBF president Marco Polo Del Nero expressed his regret - and that of the governing body's directors - over Zito's death.

Zito played alongside Pele in Brazil's World Cup-winning squads in Sweden and Chile and scored a goal in the 3-1 final victory over Czechoslovakia in the latter tournament.