Cristiano Ronaldo: the world’s top goalscorer in 2023

Even at the ripe old age of 38, Cristiano Ronaldo is still a goal machine, with the Portuguese striker finding the net is his last game of the year for Al Nassr. The former Real Madrid star’s injury-time header against Al Taawoun secured a 4-1 victory for his side and took him to 54 goals in 2023.

Ronaldo edges out Mbappé and Kane

With his late strike in the Roshn Saudi League clash, the player from Madeira ensured he would finish the calendar year ahead of both Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane, who led the way with 52 goals apiece until Ronaldo’s brace against Al Ittihad on 26 December.

Injury rules Manchester City striker Haaland out of running

With Mbappé's PSG and Kane’s Bayern Munich on a winter break and not back in action again 2024, Erling Haaland had been the other major threat to Cristiano,.

However, Cristiano was been helped by the fact the Norwegian ended the year on the sidelines. The Manchester City striker found the net 50 times in 2023 but didn’t feature in any of his team’s last seven fixtures because of a foot injury, missing the Premier League side’s FIFA Club World Cup win.

How many times has Ronaldo been the top scorer in a year?

2023 will be the fifth time the Portugal captain has ended a year as the top scorer in world soccer. He had achieved the feat on four occasions while playing for Real Madrid - in 2011 (60 goals), 2013 (63), 2014 (61) and 2015 (57).