New Zealand Football is joining the tributes to All Whites great Grant Turner – scorer of one of New Zealand football's greatest goals – who has died after a long struggle with cancer.

The 64-year-old star of the All Whites' road to the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain passed away in Tauranga on Tuesday morning.

His header against Australia and a solo run against Taiwan were two of the best goals in the '82 All Whites' Road to Spain.

Turner's passing was confirmed by the New Zealand Professional Footballers Association.

'We are sorry to hear of the passing of Grant Turner after his battle with cancer,'' the NZPFA says on social media.

'A giant on the field, playing 71 times for the All Whites between 1980 and 1988, Grant is a treasured member of our footballing history. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

New Zealand Football later posted a message saying, 'the thoughts of everyone at New Zealand Football are with his friends and family at this difficult time”.

Turner, a skilful midfielder, scored 19 goals in 71 All Whites appearances, including 15 strikes in 42 full internationals.

He told Stuff in 2022 he was unable to attend the 1982 All Whites' 40-year reunion because he was terminally ill.

That was a shame because Turner scored the most celebrated goal of the qualifying campaign – a long range header in a 2-0 win over Australia in Sydney in 1981.

Turner will go down in history as one of the greatest New Zealand-born footballers of all-time.

Strong in the air, with a cannonball shot, skilful and tough in the tackle he was an all-tools player.

We are sad to hear the news that All Whites great Grant Turner has passed away today after a long illness.

The thoughts of everyone at New Zealand Football are with his friends and family at this difficult time.

— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) February 27, 2023

An ankle injury sustained in training in Spain sidelined him for the 1982 World Cup finals and potentially cost him a shot at a professional contract in Britain.

John Adshead, coach of the 1982 All Whites described Turner at the time as 'a tremendous athlete with so much ability”.

We are sorry to hear of the passing of Grant Turner after his battle with cancer.

A giant on the field, playing 71 times for the All Whites between 1980 and 1988, Grant is a treasured member of our footballing history.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/WnXuBDV75Q

— NZPFA (@nzpfa) February 27, 2023

Turner always felt, had he played in Spain, that he could have got a professional deal.

'I don't think there's any doubt that if I'd have got something over there [at a professional club] I would have been successful and my family would have been a lot better off,'' he told Stuff in 2022.

- Stuff.