Pele tells Cristiano Ronaldo he is looking forward to hugging him in video message after Man Utd star’s Fifa award
FOOTBALL legend Pele says he is looking forward to giving Cristiano Ronaldo a personal hug after sending him congratulations on social media for his special Fifa goalscoring gong at ‘The Best’ awards.
The 36-year-old father-of-four flew to Zurich with his pregnant partner Georgina Rodriguez and eldest son Cristianinho to pick up the award after becoming all-time leading international goalscorer.
The Man Utd striker moved past Iran’s Ali Daei when he netted his 110th and 110th strikes for Portugal against the Republic of Ireland in September.
And overnight Pele, who received a get-well message from Ronaldo after the three-times World Cup winner was admitted to hospital before Christmas, marked the footballer’s special moment with his own tribute.
The 81-year-old, who is having ongoing treatment following the removal of a colon tumour but was allowed out of hospital in time to spend the festive season with his family, said from his home in Brazil: “My congratulations on the special tribute from Fifa.
“I’m looking forward to meeting you in person to give you my hug.
“I recorded this message with great care. See you soon.”
Ronaldo was among the friends and fans around the world who sent Pele get-well messages after the Brazilian football hero joked his latest hospital admission was down to him ‘getting ready for the holiday season.’
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He had revealed in September he would need to keep undergoing chemotherapy sessions after leaving hospital following his op.
His colon tumour was found when he went into hospital for routine examinations at the end of August. His surgery took place on September 4.
Pele and Ronaldo also exchanged messages on social media last March while the Portuguese international was still at Juventus when he beat the Brazilian’s scoring record with a hat-trick against Cagliari to take his tally to 770 goals.
Despite insisting he actually scored 1,283 goals in all matches including friendlies, Pele tweeted a picture of the pair and said: “Cristiano, what a beautiful journey you are having!
“I admire you a lot and this is no secret to anyone. Congratulations on breaking my record of goals in official matches.
“I leave this photo in your honour, with great affection, as a symbol of a friendship that has existed for many years.”
Ronaldo, set to expand his family in April when Rodriguez is due to give birth to their twins, responded by saying he had ‘everlasting and unconditional admiration’ for his footballing friend.
He added on Instagram: “Today, as I reach the 770th official goal in my professional career, my first words go straight to Pele.
“There’s no player in the world who hasn’t been raised listening to stories about his games, his goals and his achievements, and I’m no exception.
“And for that reason, I’m filled with joy and pride as I acknowledge the goal that puts me on top of the world’s goalscoring list, overcoming Pele’s record, something that I could never have dreamed of while growing up as a child from Madeira.
“Thanks to all of those who took part of this amazing journey with me.
“To my team-mates, to my opponents, to the fans of the beautiful game all over the World and, above all, to my family and close friends: trust me when I say that I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Pele had earlier congratulated Robert Lewandowski and Alexia Putellas after they were voted best men and best women players respectively at Fifa’s The Best Awards 2021 ceremony on Monday.
He said in a heartfelt message to the triumphant pair ‘When you’re on the field, the sport always looks better.’
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