Cristiano Ronaldo will end the year as the world’s top scorer after scoring his 54th goal of 2023 in Al Nassr’s 4-1 win over Al Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.
The Portuguese striker’s 54 goals in official competitions for club and country came in 59 games, surpassing Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé (52), as well as Manchester City star Erling Haaland (50). None of the top contenders will play again in 2023.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
It is the fifth time that Ronaldo will end the year as the world’s top scorer, having also done so in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 when he was at Real Madrid. His 54 goals are the most Ronaldo has scored in a calendar year since he scored 55 in 2016, when he won one of his five Ballon d’Ors.
The 38-year-old responded to the achievement with a post on Instagram, writing: “54. Will tell when it’s done! Thanks team.”
Ronaldo’s latest goal on Saturday came on the first anniversary of his move to Saudi club Al Nassr following his controversial departure from Manchester United.
Al Nassr led 3-1 with goals from Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte and Otavio on Saturday when Ronaldo headed in from six yards in the second minute of stoppage time. It was his 20th goal in 18 league games so far this season.
With the victory, Al Nassr remains in second place in the Saudi Pro League standings, with 46 points from 19 games, seven points behind leader Al Hilal.
