Legendary Iran striker Ali Daei has congratulated Cristiano Ronaldo for equalling his long-standing record as the highest-scoring footballer in international football.
Ronaldo scored twice from the penalty spot in Portugal's European Championship Group F draw with France on Wednesday night to take his tally to 109 goals.
And Daei was moved to send a message to his eventual successor.
"Congratulations to Cristiano, who is now one goal away from breaking the men's international goal scoring record," Daei wrote on Instagram.
"I am honoured that this remarkable achievement will belong to Ronaldo - a great champion of football and caring humanist who inspires and impacts lives throughout the world."
Daei, now 52, is considered one of the best Asian footballers of all time, and he reached his mark of 109 goals from 149 games.
Daei's last match for Iran was in 2006.
Ronaldo, 36, is now the highest-scoring footballer in the history of the European Championship with 14 goals, five ahead of next-best Michel Platini.
Pkkgags
684
Congrats to the 🐐 🎊🍾🎉🎈
Pope23610
525
Ronaldo is now a record that players hope to break
MN9
465
And then there is Pele 🙄 Who changed his Instagram bio and add his friendly goals to show that Ronaldo haven't yet surpassed him 🙄
yzkhid
425
Meanwhile Messi be like so this is real
Jayshinde1234
395
Just One Goal Away To Make History.... Against Belgium Record Breaker Goal To Come
ROYALGRACE
377
God bless this man greatly. Ali Daei is human enough to appreciate and congratulate Cristiano humanely like this without looking for something to add to make it look like it's not the best. This is what the press and pundits won't ever do because they just delight some ways to taint him with some unfounded shades of hates. In all I sincerely join this great man to truly congratulate an icon, trans generational star, champion in the true sense of it, conqueror wherever he goes on this achieved milestone in his career. I trust he is stepping into a new sphere in setting another record that others will strive to beat. Keep up Cristiano, keep Ronaldo, go on and win more laurels and setting new records, smashing others CR7. We love you and look forward to more wins.
rohithirapur
348
Greatest of all time🔥⚽️🐐
issiis
342
Ronaldo be like
Hizikosu
304
greatest of all the time.
sehajbains_02
258
Respect to Ali Daei
Vibacilnrs
216
A great philanthropist. Vamos CR7 🔥🔥🔥
Brightberry
212
The “R” in Ronaldo stands for Records!!