Roger Federer was delighted to meet football legend Pele in 2012, after declaring him a sporting hero throughout his career.
The Swiss star has made no secret about his fondness for football and has often praised some of the biggest players in the game.
While Federer has lauded the likes of Lionel Messi and Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci, he has often reserved favourite status for Brazilian icon Pele.
In 2012, at long last, the sporting legends finally met, and they exchanged incredible gifts with one another.
Roger Federer’s gift for Pele in 2012
Federer and Pele both became ambassadors for Gillette’s parent company, P&G, in 2012 and it allowed them the chance to meet each other.
Speaking of the new collaboration, the Brazilian icon said: “It is such an honour to be a part of the P&G family and to be welcomed by the best in tennis – Roger Federer.
“I look forward to joining him and P&G’s other great champion athletes. We will do many positive things together and commit ourselves to the development of sports in Brazil and worldwide.”
As a mark of respect, the pair shared gifts with each other upon their very first meeting.
Federer gifted Pele a signed tennis racket, which he had actually been saving for the Brazil legend until they met.
Pele, meanwhile, gave the Swiss star a signed shirt from the 1958 World Cup Final, which saw Brazil defeat Sweden, with Pele scoring two goals.
What Roger Federer said after meeting Pele
Federer was floored by his first meeting with the Brazilian star he had long looked up to during his football career.
Speaking after the meeting, Federer said: “Meeting Pelé was an absolute dream come true. It was an honour to be introduced to the most important and most famous personality in world soccer.”
Following Pele’s death in 2022, Federer sent out a tribute to the legendary Brazilian who scored 1281 goals in his career.
On Instagram, the Swiss star wrote: “I count myself so fortunate to have met you and gotten a chance to learn and look up to you. You were one of the first true global sporting icons. Rest in peace King Pele.”
