Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese forward, struck a resounding chord with his 50th goal of 2023, accompanied by a defiant message resonating across the sporting world.
The proclamation came via Ronaldo’s Instagram, where he shared the elation of a “Great victory” and unveiled his latest milestone, crediting it to the steadfast support of teammates, fans, and family, while boldly declaring
“There’s still room for a few more this year.” He said
The celebration was well-earned as Ronaldo’s stellar performance fueled Al Nassr’s decisive 5-2 win over Al Shabab, propelling the Riyadh-based club into the semifinals of the prestigious Saudi King Cup.
Joining Ronaldo on the scoresheet were Seko Fofana, Sadio Mane, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, and Mohammed Maran, showcasing the depth and dynamism of Al Nassr’s attacking force.
At 38, Ronaldo’s moment arrived in the 74th minute when he capitalized on a pinpoint pass from compatriot Otavio, deftly navigating past Al Shabab’s South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu to secure his team’s fourth goal.
Al-Khaleej and Al-Hilal emerged as the other triumphant clubs in the semifinal race, setting the stage for a thrilling culmination with the Al-Faisaly vs. Al-Ittihad clash on December 19.
Ronaldo’s impact extends beyond the pitch, having joined Al Nassr in late 2022 on a mega deal binding him to the club until June 2025.
His influence echoes in the footsteps of other global football icons, with Neymar of Brazil and Karim Benzema of France following suit and enriching the landscape of Saudi football.
The numerical supremacy of Ronaldo in 2023 is evident as he leads the top scorers’ chart with 50 goals, sharing the pinnacle with Erling Haaland. The race includes formidable competitors such as Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, both trailing closely with 49 goals each.
Adding a historical perspective to this feat, Ronaldo’s remarkable consistency is highlighted by his achievement of scoring 50+ goals in eight different calendar years:
- 2023:50
- 2017:53
- 2016:55
- 2015:57
- 2014: 61
- 2013:69
- 2012:63
- 2011:60
In Riyadh and beyond, Ronaldo’s half-century marks not just a numerical milestone but a testament to the enduring legacy of a footballing icon.
As the year draws to a close, the world waits in anticipation for the encore promised by the maestro himself.
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