Keys argues Ronaldo’s record shouldn’t count despite Tottenham heroics

Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick inspired Manchester United to a crucial 3-2 victory over Tottenham and ensured he broke yet another goalscoring record, but Richard Keys has cast doubt over the superstar’s latest achievement.

The 37-year-old looked back to his devastating best after a fine individual display to score all three goals and boost United’s hopes in the battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

His first strike was a stunning 25-yard effort that sailed into the top corner past Hugo Lloris to open the scoring and, after Harry Kane equalised from the penalty spot, he restored the advantage just before the break.

Jadon Sancho sprung the offside trap to set up Ronaldo for a tap-in, before Harry Maguire’s own goal brought the visitors back level.

But it was Ronaldo again who rose to the occasion as he powered a header into the top corner late on to clinch three important points for the Red Devils.

That hat-trick, the 59th of his professional career, means that he has now bagged 807 goals in professional football — the most by any player in history.

But according to Keys, the former Sky Sports presenter who now hosts beIN Sports’ Premier League coverage in Qatar, Ronaldo’s legitimacy as the record holder can be brought under question by Brazil legend Pele.

“It is an extraordinary achievement, 806 goals, whichever way you look at it,” Keys said in a post-match discussion on beIN Sports.

“But there is some dispute as to whether it is a record. It’s certainly not if you look at the Guinness Book of World Records.

“It is 450 short of 1,281 which is claimed by Pele.”

HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think Pele's record counts ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo's? Let us know in the comments below.

Keys' close friend and co-host Andy Gray responded by casting doubt on Pele’s claim to scoring over a thousand goals in his illustrious career.

He said: “Please correct me someone if I'm wrong, but I think what FIFA don’t do is recognise the friendly games attributed to Pele in his total.”

Keys agreed and replied: “That is correct. But he disputes what is, what was and what they say it is that counts. I don’t think we’ll ever get an answer for this.”

The debate raged on as Gray seemingly took the opposite view to Keys and questioned why he had scored a third of his goals in non-competitive matches.

“It seems a lot that FIFA have taken more than 400 goals off Pele that he’s scored in friendlies” Grey said, laughing with former Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong.

Keys then corrected his co-presenter, uttering: “450.”

But Gray continued in dismissing the argument: “That doesn’t stack up, it doesn’t stack up! Come on!”

That was before De Jong chimed in: “450 goals in friendlies? That’s not doable,” the Dutchman said.

To end the discussion once and for all, Keys said: “It’s very difficult to substantiate because we didn’t have the coverage of the back then. But it’s Pele for me.

“But it is an extraordinary number of goals in the modern game, which is probably worth one and a half [for Ronaldo]!”

Ronaldo is renowned as a footballer who savours record-breaking moments, whether it is a team or individual one, and it's fair to say he won’t be allowing this one to slip away without a fight.

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