It took eight years for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to this particular “title”. While the Portuguese concluded at the very end of the match this Saturday evening Al-Nassr’s great victory in the league against Al-Taawon (4-1) with a goal in the 92nd minute, he shook the nets for the 54th time this season, winning without any doubt the (symbolic) title of top scorer of the 2023 calendar year.
A nice total that he reached in 59 matches in the jersey of the Saudi club, officially joining a year ago almost to the day, December 30, 2022, and that of Portugal. In detail, “CR7” scored 44 goals in 50 matches with his club (34 in the league, 1 in the national cup, 3 in the Champions League and 6 in the Arab Club Champions Cup) and 10 in 9 matches with Portugal (all in qualifying for Euro 2024). This is the fourth time in his career that he has finished top scorer in a calendar year after 2013 (69 goals), 2014 (61) and 2015 (57).
A disputed record but validated by Fifa
“I am very happy,” he reacted to the microphone of the Saudi broadcaster SSC Sports. It was a good year for me, collectively and individually. I scored a lot of goals, I helped the Al-Nassr team a lot, just like I helped the national team. I am proud. I will continue. I feel good and happy. Next year I will try to do it all again. My secret ? Hard work, dedication. I would like to thank my colleagues, this would not be possible without them. The fans, because they follow us everywhere. And I want to continue. »
He was also proud of having initiated a major movement for the Saudi championship, which was joined this summer by many football stars. “I’m happy, because it started with me, thanks to the decision I made. No one believed what I said, but that’s in the past. The most important thing is that the league grows. I hope that if other big players want to do well, they will be welcome. »
In the grand final ranking of the best gunners of the calendar year, he finished ahead of Kylian Mbappé (52 goals in 53 games), Harry Kane (52 in 57) and Erling Haaland (50 in 60). And too bad if some contest this record, under the pretext that six of his goals (those in the Arab Club Champions Cup) were scored in a competition not approved by Fifa: this Sunday, the body recorded on his website Cristiano Ronaldo’s record. One more !
2023-12-31 10:18:05
#year #start #top #scorer #Ronaldo #thinking
