Cristiano Ronaldo to end 2023 as world’s top goal scorer

Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to end the 12 months as the world’s top goal scorer after scoring his 54th goal of 2023 in Al Nassr’s 4-1 victory at Al Taawoun within the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.

The Portugal ahead’s 54 objectives in official competitions for membership and nation got here in 59 matches to beat out Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé (52) as nicely as Manchester City star Erling Haaland (50). None of the main contenders will play once more in 2023.

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It is the fifth time Ronaldo will end the 12 months as the world’s top scorer, having additionally finished so in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 when at Real Madrid. His 54 objectives is probably the most Ronaldo has scored in a calendar 12 months since netting 55 in 2016, when he gained one in every of his 5 Ballon d’Or awards.

The 38-year-old responded to the achievement with a put up on Instagram, writing: “54 — I’ll say when it’s finished! Thanks, team.”

Ronaldo’s newest goal on Saturday got here on the one-year anniversary of him signing for Saudi membership Al Nassr after his controversial exit from Manchester United.

Al Nassr had been main 3-1 by means of objectives from Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte and Otavio on Saturday when Ronaldo headed in from six yards out within the second minute of stoppage time. It was his twentieth goal in 18 league video games to this point this season.

With the win, Al Nassr keep in second place within the Saudi Pro League standings, with 46 factors from 19 video games, seven factors behind leaders Al Hilal.