Football legend dies after 39 years in a coma
Jean-Pierre Adams has died at age 73.
Adams spent 39 years in a coma after suffering an injury and requiring surgery.
He was administered a near-fatal dose of anaesthetic ahead of the operation, which resulted in brain damage.
His wife, Bernadette Adams cared for him in their home located in the French city of Nîmes.
The small south town is also where his budding football career began, in 1970.
He played for Nîmes Olympique until 1973, before he moved to Nice and played there until 1977.
He joined French giants Paris Saint-Germain and played from 1977 to 1979.
PSG released a heartbreaking statement for him, labelling him one of the club's "glorious elders".
"His joie de vivre, his charisma and his experience command respect. Paris Saint-Germain offers its condolences to his family and loved ones," the club said in a statement on Monday.
Adams played 22 internationals for France, from 1972 to 1976.
French Football Federation president Noël Le Graët said Adams "remained present in our memories in such a special and sad way since his dramatic accident".
"Jean-Pierre Adams was an example by his life course and his career as a respected and feared player, whether with his successive clubs Nîmes, Nice and PSG in the French championship or in the French team," Le Graët said in a statement.
"He formed a duo of legendary defenders with Marius Trésor which all fans of the Blues and football remember.
"Jean-Pierre Adams has participated in the history of the French team, in its influence, in its values. Today the French team is in mourning, the Federation is in mourning.
"We think of his wife, his family and all his relatives to whom we send our deep friendship and our most sincere condolences."