Cristiano Ronaldo has finished as the top scorer for club and country over the calendar year 2023, making it three decades in a row that he has achieved this feat. The Portuguese forward scored 54 goals for Al Nassr and the Portugal national team this year, and finished as the top scorer ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
In spite of being 38 years old and in a new league where he is being paid a significant amount, he has not let his standards drop. This season, the Al Nassr number 7 has scored 20 goals in 18 games, leading the race for the top scorer award in the league.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s unmatched longevity by the numbers
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was the top scorer in the world in 2008 and 2015 as well, and has continued his goalscoring run in spite of his age. In recent years, only Zlatan Ibrahimovic comes to mind as a forward that has continued to deliver close to 40 years of age.
And this past summer, the iconic striker decided to call it a day on his career after struggling with injuries. But Cristiano Ronaldo continues not only to score regularly but also play for extended amounts of time without being injured.
Many have praised his unparalleled work ethic over the years, and his ability to outscore players a decade younger to him is a result of that effort. The Portugal captain has revealed that he has no plans to retire in 2024 and aims to continue scoring goals to replicate the achievement this year.
