Cristiano Ronaldo was presented with a special shirt by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli ahead of Sunday’s Serie A game against Benevento.
The shirt had “G.O.A.T.” — “greatest of all time” — and “770” printed on it to reflect Ronaldo surpassing Pele’s career goals record in a 3-1 win against Cagliari last weekend. FIFA does not keep an official record of football’s all-time leading scorers, but Ronaldo claimed the title himself.
However, Ronaldo wasn’t able to add to his tally on Sunday as Juve lost to Benevento 1-0.
– Ogden: What are Cristiano Ronaldo’s options?
It comes after Ronaldo was named the Serie A player of the year on Friday for the second consecutive time.
Ronaldo won the prize in 2019 after his debut season at Juventus. The awards did not take place last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
President Andrea Agnelli presents @Cristiano a special #CR770 shirt to mark his extraordinary record! 🐐⚽️#CR7JUVE pic.twitter.com/lFJgb11iZZ
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 21, 2021
Ronaldo scored 31 goals in 33 league matches last season and helped Juventus to a record-extending ninth successive Italian league title.
Ronaldo has been linked with a return to former club Real Madrid following Juventus’ elimination from the Champions League at the round of 16 stage.
But Juventus director Fabio Paratici has previously said Ronaldo represents the “future” of the club, reiterating that notion after Sunday’s loss.
“We’ve decided to keep Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s the best player in the world and he’ll stay with us,” Paratici said.
On surpassing Pele’s record, Ronaldo wrote on social media after the Cagliari game: “I’m filled with joy and pride as I acknowledge the goal that puts me on top of the world’s goalscoring list.”