Cristiano Ronaldo was left in tears after his latest goalscoring record was thrown in doubt by never-seen-before footage of Brazil legend Pele scoring 123 goals in a single game.
The Portuguese striker reached another personal milestone last night by scoring the 900th goal of his career in a Nations League game against Croatia.
Ronaldo believed he led the way as men’s football’s all-time top scorer, ahead of long-time rival Lionel Messi on 867 goals and Pele on 778 goals.
However, the Brazilian FA have just released new footage of what they are claiming is a competitive fixture against Aruba in 1971, during which Pele scored 123 goals in a 124-0 victory for the Seleção Canarinho.
The video, which looks suspiciously like a game of FIFA on the Xbox, strengthens the Brazilian’s claims that Pele is, and forever will be, the all-time top scorer in world football.
‘As the video clearly shows, Pele dribbles past the entire Aruban team and slots it home to score his 123rd goal of the game’, Brazilian FA president Ednaldo Rodrigues told Paddy Power News.
‘I hope this clears things up’.
When asked why Guy Mowbray was commentating on a game of football which took place in 1971 when he wasn’t born until 1972, Rodrigues snapped:
‘How dare you question the sporting integrity of a South American football association’.
Edson Arantes Do Nascimento Pele of Brazil celebrates the victory after winnings the 1970 World Cup in Mexico match between Brazil and Italy at Estadio Azteca on 21 June in Città del Messico. Mexico (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
After a similar question about the appearance of Jaap Stam and Mario Balotelli in the Aruba starting line-up, Rodrigues stormed out of the interview.
Meanwhile, the revelation comes as a devastating blow to Ronaldo who was looking forward to a month-long series of tributes marking the landmark goal, organised by himself.
‘That’s it! I’m telling Piers Morgan!’, blubbed the 39-year-old Al Nassr forward.
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