French soccer player Jean-Pierre Adams has passed away at the age of 73 after spending 39 years in a coma.

The ex-athlete was 34 when he slipped into a deep coma back in 1982 following an anesthesia error during routine knee surgery at a hospital in Lyon.

He was said to have been in "great shape" going into the surgery and was expected to wake up after only a few hours, per The Guardian.

He then spent the next year of his life in a coma before he was taken home to be cared for by his wife.

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The former defender was able to open his eyes and digest food but was unable to move or talk.

"He senses that it is not me feeding him and looking after him," his wife Bernadette told CNN last year.

She added: "He senses that it is not me feeding him and looking after him.

"It's the nurses who tell me, saying he is not the same. I think he feels things. He must recognize the sound of my voice as well."

Adams was scheduled to go under the knife after rupturing a ligament - but the anesthetist made an error that caused the then-39-year-old to suffer bronchospasm.

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Tragically, his brain was starved of oxygen, and he fell into a coma for a total of 39 years.

His wife, Bernadette, remained by his side until his death, and said last year that she and his two sons would bring him gifts on special occasions.

She said: "No one ever forgets to give Jean-Pierre presents, whether it's his birthday, Christmas or Father's Day."

The 73-year-old was born in Dakar, Senegal, in 1948 and went on to play 22 times for the France national team from 1972 to 1976.

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In a statement, soccer team PSG said in a statement said Adams' "joie de vivre, charisma and experience commanded respect".

Meanwhile, soccer club Nice wrote on Twitter that the club would pay tribute to Adams before their next home game against Monaco on September 19.

Adams also made 84 appearances for Nimes, who said on Twitter they were sending their "most sincere condolences to his loved ones and his family".

Featured image credit: David Gato / Alamy

French soccer player Jean-Pierre Adams dies after 39 years in a coma