Pele on Saturday praised the “outstanding” Lionel Messi for breaking his record as the top goal scorer in the South American national team, but apologized for the delay in congratulating him.
Messi’s hat-trick against Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier for Argentina on September 9 comes four days after Brazilian legend Pele underwent surgery for a suspected colon tumor.
“Hi @leomessi, sorry if I’m late. However, I didn’t want to miss the chance to congratulate you on another record I broke earlier this month,” Pele wrote on Instagram.
“Your talent is outstanding when playing football! I hope you achieve even more with my friends @k.mbappe and @neymarjr (at PSG).”
Messi surpassed Pele’s record of 77 international goals and now has 79 goals in his career.
Pele’s daughter said Friday that her 80-year-old father has taken “many steps” towards his recovery after his operation three weeks ago.
“In these last days, he has taken many steps,” Kelly Nascimento said in a message on Instagram alongside photos of the two of them playing cards, with Pele smiling.
“He taught me how to play a card game and he’s hand-beating me,” she said.
Nascimento posted a video on Wednesday of Pele singing the anthem of his former club Santos.
Considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, Pele has been in poor health in recent years, and has had several stints in hospital.
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