Robbie Keane rolled back the years on Sunday night, as the former Ireland skipper scored a brace in a 4-2 win for the World XI over England at Soccer Aid.
Keane had only been on the pitch for four minutes when he scored his first goal, which was a wonderful curling effort from just inside the box.
He followed this up five minutes later to put his side 3-2 ahead, and in doing so he reminded fans of the range of his repertoire, by clinically side-footing the ball home.
ROBBIE KEANE!!
What a goal 😮💨
🏴 2-2 🌍
Watch LIVE now on @ITV and @WeAreSTV📺 pic.twitter.com/p9OK8tK2Wu— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) June 11, 2023
Robbie Keane shows Leeds fans what they're missing
Now 42, Keane showed the kind of form that made him one of the most feared Premier League strikers in his day, and fans of one club in particular were made to feel more glum than they already were.
Leeds United supporters are still smarting after their recent relegation, which was overseen by interim manager Sam Allardyce.
In his attempts to pull off a great escape, Allardyce drafted in Keane as part of his coaching staff, with the obvious benefit of the ex-Leeds player being familiar with the surroundings.
However, after watching Soccer Aid, there were plenty of Leeds fans wishing that Keane had laced up his boots for their final few games, rather than observing their downfall from the dugout.
Robbie Keane should have started last 4 games
— Luke (@Leeds_Untied) June 11, 2023
Reckon Leeds would of stayed up if they had Robbie Keane upfront and not on the coaching team. #LUFC
— Sam (@SamTooon) June 11, 2023
Big Sam realising he should have played Robbie Keane for Leeds the last few weeks, instead of having him on the sidelines 🤷🏻♂️🤣 #SoccerAid
— TelMc (@TelMc1) June 11, 2023
2 Great finishes by Robbie Keane , maybe Leeds should of played him instead og Bamford
— Ade Owen (@Welshade) June 11, 2023
To think Leeds had Robbie Keane at the club and played Bamford instead.
Blokes still a quality finisher #lufc— N (@N65590035N) June 11, 2023
Watching @socceraid last night Leeds should’ve put Robbie Keane up front as opposed to coaching #SoccerAid
— Matthew Knights (@mattknights1997) June 12, 2023
Robbie Keane would've saved Leeds from relegation
— Adé (@adey_yinkah) June 11, 2023
Robbie Keane the Soccer Aid GOAT
Alas, Keane's talents are mostly limited to charity matches these days, and to be fair, he has a pretty good Soccer Aid record to boast about.
His second goal on the night made him the joint-top Soccer Aid goalscorer with four strikes, since the inception of the charity game in 2006.
However, a late goal for World XI teammate Kem Cetinay edged the ex-Love Islander ahead once again, with the 27-year-old now leading the way with five goals.
ROBBIE KEANE AGAIN!!
Keane has now equalled the #SoccerAid goalscoring record 👏
🏴 2-3 🌍
Watch LIVE now on @ITV and @WeAreSTV📺 pic.twitter.com/w73uRmTfWC— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) June 11, 2023
Usain Bolt was the other World XI goalscorer at Old Trafford on the night, with Paul Scholes and Sex Education star Asa Butterfield finding the net for England.
Most importantly, a whopping £14,619,005 was raised for UNICEF, due to everyone's efforts.
