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

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to finish the year as the world's top scorer after netting his 54th goal of 2023 in Al Nassr's 4-1 win at Al Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.

The Portuguese striker's 54 goals in official club and country competitions came in 59 matches to beat 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 main contenders will play again in 2023.

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This is the fifth time Ronaldo has finished the year as the world's top scorer, having done so in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 at Real Madrid. His 54 goals are the most goals 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 feat with a post on Instagram, writing: “54 — I'll tell you when it's over! Thanks, team.”

Ronaldo's latest goal on Saturday came on the first anniversary of his signing for Saudi club Al Nassr following his controversial departure from Manchester United.

Al Nassr led 3-1 thanks to goals from Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte and Otavio on Saturday when Ronaldo scored with a header from six yards out in the second minute of added time. It was his 20th goal in 18 league matches this season.

With this victory, Al Nassr remains in second place in the Saudi Pro League standings, with 46 points from 19 matches, seven points behind leader Al Hilal.