Richard Keys says Cristiano Ronaldo goalscoring record shouldn't count after Tottenham hat-trick

13.03.2022 - 14:31 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Richard Keys believes that Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring record should not count after the Portuguese ace notched a hat-trick to inspire Manchester United to victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Ronaldo's first came in the 12th minute when he was allowed too much space outside the area before unleashing an incredible strike into the top corner. United were pegged back from the penalty spot when Alex Telles handled in the area, with Harry Kane making no mistake from 12 yards.

United hit the front again front just three minutes later when Ronaldo tapped home a Jadon Sancho cross, before a Harry Maguire own goal in the second half looked to have secured a point for Spurs.

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However, up stepped Ronaldo with nine minutes of normal time remaining to power home a header to send the Stretford End wild and secure a huge three points for United. His three goals took his career tally to 807, meaning he is now the leading FIFA recognised men's goalscorer of all time. But Keys claimed that his record should not count.

Speaking on beIN Sports at full-time, Keys said: "It is an extraordinary achievement, 807 goals, whichever way you look at it. 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."

Controversy surrounds Pele's claimed total of 1,281 goals as 450 of them are believed to have been scored in friendly matches. FIFA, therefore, does not count them to the overall tally of goals scored.

After a debate with Andy Gray, Keys summarised: "It’s very difficult to substantiate because we didn’t have the coverage of