'You are a true champion,' Tom Cruise tells Rossi

In his 13 years of motorcycle racing, Valentino Rossi has won many fans for his incredible record and spectacular riding. His fan following is spread far and wide, from co-riders to football players and even a Hollywood superstar. This was amply demonstrated on the Italian rider's 30th birthday today when popular figures like Tom Cruise and Italian footballer Marco Materazzi sent him birthday wishes.

Cruise, who was there to witness Rossi's brilliant ride at Laguna Seca last year, remarked that he had never seen that kind of riding before. "It was my great pleasure to be there at Laguna Seca and see you take that victory," the actor wrote. "I can honestly say! You certainly don't disappoint! Thank you for all the great races you have given us, and for all the great races yet to come."

Cruise termed Rossi a true champion "who keeps raising the bar, relentlessly pursuing the next race, the next challenge, the next championship". He also paid tribute to Rossi's hard work and determination. "I also know that the victories don't necessarily become easier. You have to dig deeper, work even harder, become more focused to overcome the distractions. That's what you do," he wrote in his message. "I, like countless others, know that when you're on that track, anything is possible. Happy Birthday."

Materazzi, who was infamously head-butted by Zinedine Zidane in the football World Cup final, recounted the moments when he and Rossi met and eventually became true friends. "The moment in which we feel the truest friends is when we're having dinner together at my house, sitting together at the same table. There, we are just Marco and Valentino, two who for many reasons see life in the same way."

Materazzi said there was a lot of similarity between the two. "Today I am just like you, when you put your number on to race, it is the double of me when I put mine on to play, because I have 23! For your 30th I give you 'double' greetings."

The Italy and Inter Milan defender also urged Rossi "to keep our 'secret' promise, the one which we can only tell when we've achieved it".

In his message, Hollywood actor Daniel Day-Lewis recounted his all-time favourite memory of "him [Rossi] at Laguna Seca going inside Stoner through the dirt. Death or glory; the whole race an answer to those daft enough still to have a question. And to have shaken the hand of that man — that I won't forget either."

Celebrities like former Moto GP champions Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts, Sr, and Fiat Yamaha colleague Colin Edwards extended birthday wishes to Rossi, who, in 13 years, has won eight world championships and is by far the most successful rider of all time.