Cristiano Ronaldo accumulates more goals than anyone in 2023. The Portuguese star scored a double penalty this Tuesday in Al-Nassr's victory against Al Ittihad in his reunion with Karim Benzema (2-5) and is thus nominated as the top scorer of the year to date with 53 goals, surpassing Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé by one (52) and Erling Haaland by three (50).
The Manchester City striker is the only player who could take away the 'Bug' from being the top scorer for the remainder of 2023. Pep Guardiola's team still has to play two league games in the Premier, before the bells ring: one this Wednesday at home against Everton and another this Saturday against Sheffield United.
However, the Norwegian still has discomfort in his foot since matchday 16 of the league against Luton Town three weeks ago. The 'cyborg' should score four goals in two days to surpass the Portuguese. The 'citizens', fifth in the English championship, want to close the gap with Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool, provisional leader. Also with Aston Villa who beat Manchester United this Tuesday (3-2).
Ronaldo, 38, has the possibility of expanding his personal account even further, since his team, second in the Saudi Pro League, still has a duel against Al-Taawon to play, before the end of 2023. The Neymar's Al-Hilal leads the Middle East competition with 50 points, despite the fact that they have not had the Brazilian since October, when he tore his anterior cruciate and meniscus with the 'canarinha'.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also leads the table of top scorers in the Saudi Arabian league, after scoring 19 goals - six from penalties - so far this season, 23-24 ahead of players like Mitrovic (16) , formerly of Fulham, Malcom, former Barça striker who plays for Al-Hilal (9) or Karim Benzema himself (9).
This year, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 43 goals for his club and 10 for the Portuguese national team and it is the eighth time that the Madeira striker has reached 50 goals in a calendar year, throughout his professional career. He also did the same in 2011 (60), 2012 (63), 2013 (69), 2014 (61), 2015 (57), 2016 (55) and 2017 (53).
