Ronaldo hails Pele and promises goal-scoring record
Cristiano Ronaldo hailed Pele after he surpassed the Brazilian great's goal-scoring haul found in official complements by netting a good hat-trick in Juventus' 3-1 Serie A win over Cagliari on Sunday.
Since soccer's world governing body FIFA does not keep the official record of who is along with the all-period scoring list, this is a benchmark that's hotly disputed.
Several media outlets previously hailed Ronaldo for breaking the record when he reached 760 goals as he previously supposedly surpassed the record set by Austria and Czechoslovakia striker striker Josef Bican.
Nevertheless, the Czech FA subsequently stated in January that Bican's total was truly 821 goals, carrying out a overview of his statistics during a career spanning from 1931 to 1955.
On Sunday, however, Ronaldo ignored Bican's revised total to promise he was now along with the scoring pile after surpassing Pele's tally of 767.
"My everlasting and unconditional admiration for mister Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele), such is the respect that I have for mid-20th century football, led me to take into consideration his 767 rating, assuming his nine goals for Sao Paulo Point out Team, along with his single target for the Brazilian Military Workforce, as official goals," Ronaldo wrote on Instagram.
"Today, as I reach the 770th official target in my own professional career, my primary words go right to Pele. There is no player on the globe who hasn't been raised listening to stories about his game titles, 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 target that puts me along with the world's goalscoring list, overcoming Pele's record, a thing that I could never have dreamed of while developing up as a child from Madeira."
Pele, who helped Brazil to gain the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970, states by himself Instagram webpage that he heads the all-period scoring list with 1,283 goals.
The 80-year-old former Santos striker and his compatriot Romario scored more than 1,000 goals during their careers, but those statistics include strikes in amateur, unofficial and friendly complements.
However, Pele congratulated Ronaldo on Sunday.
"Life is a good solo flight. Each makes his personal journey. And just what a beautiful trip you are having. I admire you a lot, I love watching you take up which is no technique to anyone," Pele wrote on Instagram.
"Congratulations in breaking my record of goals in official matches. My simply regret is not being able to provide you with a hug today."
