Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Pele as Brazil legend recovers in hospital

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a get-well message to Pele after the Brazilian soccer hero joked his latest hospital admission was down to him "getting ready for the holiday season."

It emerged earlier this week the three-times World Cup winner was back at the Alberto Enstein Hospital in Sao Paulo for further treatment following the removal of a colon tumour.

The 81-year-old revealed in September he would need to keep undergoing chemotherapy sessions after leaving the hospital following his op.

He joked in a first Instagram post after the operation he was "looking forward to playing again."

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And overnight Pele received hundreds of messages of support from fans around the world including Man United star Cristiano after reverting to his trademark sense of humour with his first personal health update this week by insisting: "Don't worry, I'm just getting ready for the holiday season."

Writing alongside a selfie snap of him in his hospital bed with a grin on his face and his left fist clenched, he wrote: "Friends, since September 30th, when I left the hospital, you know that I have been having small chemotherapy sessions as part of my treatment.

"Today I'm at Albert Einstein doing the last session of 2021. I wanted to share this achievement with you. "After all, every little victory is a reason to celebrate, don't you think?

"I'm going to take this chance to do a new battery of exams, so I'm going to stay here for a few days. Don't worry, I'm just getting ready for the holiday season!"

Cristiano, congratulated by Pele in March for beating his career goals tally, responded by writing on Brazilian's Instagram: 'Forca amigo' - the rough equivalent of 'Stay strong my friend' in English.

Pele, full name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, celebrated leaving hospital intensive care after his September op by singing the anthem of old club Santos.

Days earlier he had showed he was fighting fit as he did a one-two with his clenched fists while working out on an exercise bike from bed during a physiotherapy session.

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 sparked concern about his health in a recent Netflix documentary on his career after he was seen using a walking frame.

The former footballer, the only male player to win three World Cups, has had mobility problems since a failed hip replacement surgery in 2012.

In recent years, he has also undergone kidney and prostate procedures.

He won the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups, and remains Brazil´s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.

The former footballer spent most of his career at Santos, scoring 501 goals in his 493 appearances.

His daughter Flavia Kurtz Nascimiento, a physiotherapist, sought to calm fans' nerves on Thursday when it emerged Pele was back in hospital by insisting: "Dad is doing great."

Another daughter Kely Nascimento, posting the same photo showing Flavia alongside their father in hospital, added: "In two or three days he will return home to enjoy Christmas.

"This was no surprise. It was scheduled and is part of his treatment."

Pele tweeted a picture of him with Cristiano on Instagram in March after the striker netted a hat-trick while still with former club Juventus to take him past the Brazilian legend's 767 career goals tally and wrote: "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 himself took to his Facebook page to clear up the confusion created by the fact many believed he surpassed Pele's record in January when he scored his 757th and 758th goals against Udinese.

The Man United frontman said at the time: "The last few weeks were filled with news and stats considering me the World's Top Scorer in football history, overcoming Pele's 757 official goals.

"Although I'm thankful for that recognition, now it's time for me to explain why I didn't acknowledge that record until this moment.

"My everlasting and unconditional admiration for mister Edson Arantes do Nascimento, such as the respect that I have for mid-20th century football, led me to take into account his 767 score, assuming his 9 goals for Sao Paulo State Team, as well as his single goal for the Brazilian Military Team, as official goals."