Sao Paulo, Aug 30 (IANS/EFE): Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin met in Sao Paulo with the reigning Miss Universe, Mexico's Ximena Navarrete, and admitted to her that he had rooted for her during last year's international beauty pageant.

"Last year, I went crazy hoping for you, you were my favourite," Martin told Navarrete during a quick meeting in Sao Paulo, according to the website Terra.

Martin and Navarrete were both in Sao Paulo for different reasons with the pop singer launching his Brazilian concert tour here last Friday and the beauty queen adhering to a packed agenda of appearances and other activities in the run-up to the Sep 12 Miss Universe 2011 pageant.

Martin wraps up the Brazil leg of his "Musica + Alma + Sexo" tour in Porto Alegre Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2010 and 15 other candidates in the contest Sunday attended a car race at the Interlagos racetrack.

The 89 contestants and the current Miss Universe Monday will visit the Pacaembu stadium and will take part in a soccer match among themselves along with one of Brazil's star players whose name has not yet been released by organizers.