With a hat-trick in Manchester United's triumph against Tottenham, Cristiano Ronaldo set a new record for most professional goals scored, but Richard Keys has made a case for another player.
Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick propelled Manchester United to a critical 3-2 win over Tottenham, ensuring he broke yet another goalscoring record, but Richard Keys has questioned the superstar's latest success.
After a magnificent individual display, the 37-year-old appeared back to his devastating best, scoring all three goals and boosting United's chances of finishing in the Premier League's top four.
His first goal was a magnificent 25-yard strike that soared into the top corner past Hugo Lloris to open the scoring, and he regained the lead just before halftime after Harry Kane equalized from the penalty spot.
Before Harry Maguire's own goal drew the visitors 1-1, Jadon Sancho sprung the offside trap to set up Ronaldo for a tap-in.
Pele's record of 1,208 goals,
Pele's record of 1,208 goals, according to Richard Keys, is real.
But it was Ronaldo who rose to the situation once more, slamming a header into the top corner late on to give the Red Devils three vital points.
With that hat-trick, his 59th of his professional career, he now has 807 goals in professional football, the most of any player in history.
However, according to Keys, a former Sky Sports broadcaster who currently hosts beIN Sports' Premier League coverage in Qatar, Pele can call into question Ronaldo's validity as the record holder.
In a post-match conversation on beIN Sports, Keys commented, "It is a remarkable performance, 806 goals, whatever way you look at it."
"However, whether it is a record is a point of contention. If you look at the Guinness Book of World Records, it very certainly isn't.
"It's only 450 short of Pele's claimed 1,281."
Cristiano Ronaldo currently has an impressive total of 807 goals in his career.
Andy Gray, Keys' close friend and co-host, reacted by questioning Pele's claim to have scored over a thousand goals throughout his storied career.
"Please tell me if I'm wrong, but I don't think FIFA recognizes the friendly games given to Pele in his total," he remarked.
"Yes, that is correct," Keys agreed. But he disagrees with what is, what was, and what they claim is important. I doubt we'll ever get a response to this."
Gray appeared to take the opposing viewpoint to Keys, questioning why he had scored a third of his goals in non-competitive games.
Grey joked with former Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong, "It seems a lot that FIFA has taken more than 400 goals off Pele that he's scored in friendlies."
Then Keys corrected his co-host, saying, "450."
Andy Gray, his co-host.
Andy Gray, his co-host, disagreed, calling Pele's record into question.
"That doesn't stack up, it doesn't stack up!" Gray said, dismissing the argument. "Come on!" you say.
Before De Jong piped up with, "450 goals in friendlies?" "That's not possible," the Dutchman stated emphatically.
"It's really tough to establish since we didn't have the coverage of the back then," Keys stated to put a stop to the debate.But I'm going with Pele.
"However, in today's game, that's an unbelievable number of goals, perhaps worth one and a half [for Ronaldo]!"
Ronaldo is known for relishing record-breaking moments, whether as part of a team or individually, and it's safe to say he won't let this one pass him by without a fight.
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