Author of a double from the penalty spot during the clash between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad of N’Golo Kanté and Karim Benzema, Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo became the top scorer for the calendar year with his 53rd goal !
A festival of goals, poor defenses, a heavy defeat at home (2-5) for N’Golo Kanté and Karim Benzema with Al-Ittihad, and a double from Cristiano Ronaldo for Al-Nassr! The five-time Ballon d’Or did not miss the opportunity to make a name for himself during the Boxing Day of the Saudi championship on Tuesday. He converted two penalties to become the top scorer of the year 2023.
Over the calendar year, “CR7” has scored 53 goals (43 with his Riyadh club, 10 with the Portuguese selection) and is thus ahead of Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, who finished 2023 with 52 goals on the clock (and Al-Nassr even plays one last match against Al-Taawon on Saturday). Erling Haaland, injured for three weeks, remained stuck at 50 units.
Ronaldo, who took advantage of a penalty for a foul by “KB9” (19th) then a stupid foul from Fabinho (68th), responded to Abderrazak Hamdallah’s double (14th and 52nd). Faced with an Al-Ittihad reduced to 10 due to the exclusion of Fabinho on the second penalty (67th), Sadio Mané went to score a double (76th and 82nd).
Cristiano Ronaldo’s double against Al-Ittihad! ⚽️
The Portuguese becomes the top scorer of 2023, with 53 goals 🔝#SaudiProLeague pic.twitter.com/R1Cw79R5v7
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) December 26, 2023
Al-Nassr, second in the standings, is seven points behind Al-Hilal, intractable leader, while Al-Ittihad, defending champion, is sixth, now 22 points less than the first!
