Sylvester Stallone turns 78! Former rival Arnold Schwarzenegger praises the 'champion' in sweet post - as Rocky star's daughters share their own gushing tributes

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Sylvester Stallone rung in his 78th birthday on Saturday and received gushing tributes from his former rival Arnold Schwarzenegger as well as his loved ones to celebrate the big day.

The Rocky star - who recently wished his 'amazing daughter' Sistine a happy 26th birthday late last month - was called a 'champion' by The Terminator actor, 76, in a post uploaded to his main Instagram page. 

Alongside three images of the pair taken throughout the years, Arnold typed out, 'Happy birthday my friend @officialslystallone.' 

'You are a champion and a legend. You inspire me and billions of people around the world,' he concluded.  

One picture showed the two standing next to each other as they prepared to carve pumpkins that were placed in front of them. 

Sylvester Stallone rung in his 78th birthday on Saturday and received gushing tributes from his former rival Arnold Schwarzenegger, 76, as well as his loved ones to celebrate the big day

The Rocky star was called a 'champion' by The Terminator actor in a post uploaded to his main Instagram page

A second snap was taken of the two stars years earlier as they both donned Planet Hollywood T-shirts. 

He also included an additional throwback photo as they posed for a picture while standing outdoors, with others joining in.  

Arnold and Sylvester were involved in a years-long rivalry - which has since fused - and seemingly began in 1977 when they were seated at the same table at the 34th Golden Globe Awards. 

Stallone claimed that Schwarzenegger had laughed when Rocky lost in a few categories during the ceremony, but when the film won Best Motion Picture - Drama, he threw a bouquet of flowers at the star. 

But earlier this year in April, the two took part in a joint interview to reflect on the rivalry that has since ended for TMZ Presents: Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons, per People.  

At one point, Arnold credited his success in the industry to Sylvester and explained, 'There's no two ways about that: He was very helpful in my career because I had something that I could chase.'

Stallone added that when Schwarzenegger, 'came along I was like finally, something to motivate me. Because he is, dare I say it, competition, a threat, whatever word you wanna use.' 

'As soon as I saw him it was like bang, two alphas. If we walked into a party we'd be staring at each other for a few seconds and then "I gotta get that guy. He didn't do anything wrong but he will."' 

'You are a champion and a legend. You inspire me and billions of people around the world,' he concluded

But earlier this year in April, the two took part in a joint interview to reflect on the rivalry that has since ended for TMZ Presents: Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons, per People; seen in 2015 in Westwood 

Arnold later revealed that he was, 'the one who started this whole thing...by opening up my mouth, saying stupid things, being competitive.'

However, decades later, the pair have a close friendship, with Arnold saying he admires Stallone's 'dedication and his passion.' The Rocky star also said the Predator actor has a 'big heart.' 

Stallone was also given tributes from his children as well as a loving message from wife, Jennifer Flavin, on his 78th birthday. 

He shares daughters Sophia, 27, Sistine, 26 and Scarlet, 22, with Flavin. The actor also welcomed sons Seargeoh, 44, and Sage with ex Sasha Czack. In 2012, Sage passed away at the age of 36 due to a battle with heart disease. 

Sistine shared an assortment of throwback photos on her Instagram stories, including snaps when she was a little girl. 

'Happy birthday to the greatest dad I feel so lucky to have you,' the beauty wrote, followed by a white heart emoji. 

Another photo was captured as the pair stood outside as they practiced their golf swings under a bit of shade. 

Sistine was also pictured as a young child while sitting next to her father inside a red race car. 

Stallone's daughter Sistine shared an assortment of throwback photos on her Instagram stories, including snaps when she was a little girl

The media personality - who boasts 1.7 million followers - also uploaded a short reel as her father donned a black shirt that had the word 'Boss' printed on the front

She included a throwback image of Stallone on set of Rocky as a camera was propped up on his shoulders. One snap was taken as the pair flashed cheerful smiles as they posed together. 'LOVE YOU!!!' she typed out. 

Lastly, the media personality - who boasts 1.7 million followers - uploaded a short reel as her father donned a black shirt that had the word 'Boss' printed on the front. 

A piece of paper was secured directly underneath that read 'B***H' while the track, Boss B***h by Doja Cat, played in the background. 

Sophia followed suit and also shared a few photos to her Instagram stories to help celebrate Sylvester's birthday. 

She included a throwback image when she was a little girl and added the text, 'Happy Birthday Dad!!'

The Rambo star held a big grin on his face as both Sophia and her sibling donned comfy, white robes. 

Another picture was taken as the actor relaxed in a blue chair while also sipping on a refreshing cocktail. 

Sophia lastly uploaded a sweet, father daughter photo as they posed inside a spacious living room together. 

A piece of paper was secured directly underneath that read 'B***H' while the track, Boss B***h by Doja Cat, played in the background

One snap was taken as the pair flashed cheerful smiles as they posed together. 'LOVE YOU!!!' she typed out

Sophia followed suit and also shared a few photos to her Instagram stories to help celebrate Sylvester's birthday

Another picture was taken as the actor relaxed in a blue chair while also sipping on a refreshing cocktail

Sophia lastly uploaded a sweet, father daughter photo as they posed inside a spacious living room together

Scarlet also shared a throwback image as both she and Stallone struck a funny pose and wrote, 'happy birthday dad'

Scarlet also shared a throwback image as both she and Stallone struck a funny pose and wrote, 'happy birthday dad.' 

Sylvester's wife, Jennifer - whom he tied the knot with in 1997 - jumped to her main page to share a variety of photos as well as a heartfelt caption. 

Flavin penned, 'Happy Birthday my love!! You bring so much laughter, love, adventure, and strength to our family.' 

'I'm having more fun with you now than I've ever had! Excited to keep loving you forever! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.'

One photo that Jennifer included in the latest post on Saturday showed both she and her husband posing with their three daughters. 

The couple shared a loving kiss on their wedding day in another image, as well as a photo of them that could be seen inside a past issue of a magazine or newspaper. 

Social media users jumped to the comment section to also help celebrate, such as Real Housewives Of Atlanta alum, Kim Zolciak. 

The TV personality wrote, 'Happy Birthday @officialslystallone. I know wifey and the girls are going to spoil you rotten!!! to a million more.'

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2022, The Expendables actor opened about aging and admitted, 'I feel very immature.' 

Sylvester's wife, Jennifer - whom he tied the knot with in 1997 - jumped to her main page to share a variety of photos as well as a heartfelt caption

The couple shared a loving kiss on their wedding day in another image 

One photo of the lovebirds showed the pair inside a past issue of a magazine or newspaper

Flavin penned, 'Happy Birthday my love!! You bring so much laughter, love, adventure, and strength to our family'

'I've always been averse to the quote "Act your age." Or "Age gracefully." How do you age gracefully? There's nothing graceful about you.' 

He explained, 'The older I get, the more I try to embrace my inner kid. The only way I really feel my age is because I've had so many injuries.'

'I've had five back operations, three neck fusions, both shoulders done, knees, ankles, fist - you name it. It's been more than 25 times that I've been put out. So that I feel. But after I warm up, I feel really good. I don't run out of gas.'

Aside from his own birthday milestone, Stallone had the chance to also ring his daughter Sistine's 26th birthday late last month on June 27, and gushed that she 'brings nothing but happiness.'