<p>Pele on Saturday praised "outstanding" Lionel Messi for breaking his record as the top goal scorer in a South American national team but apologised for the delay in offering his congratulations.</p>.<p>Messi's hat-trick in a World Cup qualifier for Argentina against Bolivia on September 9 came just four days after Brazilian legend Pele had undergone surgery for a suspected colon tumour.</p>.<p>"Hi @leomessi, sorry if I'm late. However, I didn't want to pass up the chance to congratulate you for another record broken earlier this month," Pele wrote on Instagram.</p>.<p>"Your talent when playing soccer is outstanding! I hope you achieve even more, alongside my friends @k.mbappe and @neymarjr (at PSG)."</p>.<p>Messi surpassed Pele's record of 77 international goals and now boasts 79 in his career.</p>.<p>On Friday, Pele's daughter said her 80-year-old father has taken "several steps" towards recovery after his operation three weeks ago.</p>.<p>"These last days, he has taken several steps," Kely Nascimento said in a message on Instagram with photos of the two of them playing cards, Pele smiling.</p>.<p>"He taught me how to play a card game and he is beating me hands down," she added.</p>.<p>On Wednesday, Nascimento had posted a video of Pele singing the anthem of Santos, his former club.</p>.<p>Considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, Pele has been in poor health in recent years, and has had various stints in hospital.</p>
<p>Pele on Saturday praised "outstanding" Lionel Messi for breaking his record as the top goal scorer in a South American national team but apologised for the delay in offering his congratulations.</p>.<p>Messi's hat-trick in a World Cup qualifier for Argentina against Bolivia on September 9 came just four days after Brazilian legend Pele had undergone surgery for a suspected colon tumour.</p>.<p>"Hi @leomessi, sorry if I'm late. However, I didn't want to pass up the chance to congratulate you for another record broken earlier this month," Pele wrote on Instagram.</p>.<p>"Your talent when playing soccer is outstanding! I hope you achieve even more, alongside my friends @k.mbappe and @neymarjr (at PSG)."</p>.<p>Messi surpassed Pele's record of 77 international goals and now boasts 79 in his career.</p>.<p>On Friday, Pele's daughter said her 80-year-old father has taken "several steps" towards recovery after his operation three weeks ago.</p>.<p>"These last days, he has taken several steps," Kely Nascimento said in a message on Instagram with photos of the two of them playing cards, Pele smiling.</p>.<p>"He taught me how to play a card game and he is beating me hands down," she added.</p>.<p>On Wednesday, Nascimento had posted a video of Pele singing the anthem of Santos, his former club.</p>.<p>Considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, Pele has been in poor health in recent years, and has had various stints in hospital.</p>