SAO PAULO, Brazil — Soccer legend Pele was held at gunpoint by a band of youths who robbed his gold necklace, cell phone and a watch, Brazilian news media reported today.

The robbery — which took place on June 13 but was not made public until now — occurred near the city of Santos in southern Sao Paulo state, the respected news magazine Veja reported on its Web site.

Pele was riding in the passenger seat of a car when it was stopped near a slum by at least 10 young men armed with pistols and knives, the report said. Veja said Pele did not report the crime to police. The robbery also was reported by the Estado de S. Paulo newspaper.

No one answered repeated telephone calls to Pele's office Sunday.

Pele, 67, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, helped Brazil win three of its five World Cup titles. He was legally declared a national treasure by the Brazilian government and in 1999 was voted Athlete of the Century by the world's national Olympic committees.