SAUDI PRO LEAGUE
Breaking down Cristiano Ronaldo’s 54 goals in 2023
The Portuguese striker ends the year two goals ahead of Mbappé and Harry Kane after scoring on his last SPL appearance for Al Nassr.
Veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo has made headlines once again, with three goals in his last two appearances for Al Nassr propelling the Portuguese to the top of the 2023 goalscoring charts. A double against reigning SPL champions Al Ittihad on 26 December saw him surpass the 52 goals scored by Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé and a late header against Al Taawon four days later took him onto 54 goals for the year.
2023 is the fifth time CR7 has ended a year as the top scorer in world soccer. He previous achieved the feat four times during his spell at Real Madrid - in 2011 (60 goals), 2013 (63), 2014 (61) and 2015 (57).
Breaking down CR7′s 2023 goal scoring exploits
Ronaldo moved to the Riyadh-based side in late December 2022 and made his debut in the Saudi Pro League in February 2023, finding the net for the first time as part of a 2-2 draw against Al Fateh. His 14 goals for the Knights of Najd last season contributed to a second-place finish in the SPL, trailing eventual champions Al Ittihad by five points.
His six goals were instrumental in delivering Al Nassr their first ever Arab Club Champions Cup title in August as they beat city rivals Al Hilal in the final, with the Portuguese striker bagging a double.
CR7's x 54 goals in 2023 (Al Nassr)
| Competition | Saudi Pro League | Saudi King's Cup | AFC Champions | Arab Club Champions Cup | Total |
| 2022-23 season | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| 2023-24 season | 20 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 30 |
Of Cristiano’s 34 goals in the domestic Saudi League, 23 have been scored with the player’s right foot, 8 with his left peg and 3 goals have been delivered with headers.
In the Arab Club CC, the veteran striker bagged three headers, one left-footed effort and two with the right boot.
CR7's x 54 goals in 2023 (Portugal)
Portugal: Euro 2024 qualifiers: 10 goals
The striker from Madeira’s ten goals in 2023 also helped his country qualify for next summer’s European Championships as Portugal comfortably topped their qualifying group.
As part of his 53 goals this year, 20 have come from the penalty spot with three of his ten strikes for Portugal coming from the 11 metre mark, the remaining 17 forming part of his Al Nassr tally.
The Portuguese has found the net three times from direct free kicks and has a 100% strike rate from the penalty spot. In recent years, Cristiano’s game has transformed over time and the striker is also a key provider of goals having supplied 15 assists in 2023.
CR7 eyeing 2024 silverware
Cristiano turns 39 in February and will be hoping that his goals can contribute to further silverware for the year ahead with Portugal one of the favourites ahead of the summer’s Euro 2024.
On a domestic front, Al Nassr trail runaway SPL leaders Al Hilal by seven points but the side from Riyadh have progressed to the semi-final of the King’s Cup and have been handed a favourable Round of 16 draw in the AFC Asian Champions League against Saudi second tier side Al Fayha.