Featured Image Credit: SSC Sports / Getty
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Saudi Pro League, Portugal
Ryan Smart
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Saudi Pro League, Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo gave a brilliant interview after becoming the top goalscorer of 2023 out of the world's top divisions.
The Portuguese icon ended the year with 54 goals for club and country, scoring his final goal in stoppage time during Al Nassr's 4-1 victory over Al Taawon.
At the beginning of the year, Ronaldo joined the Saudi Pro League club as a free agent after his Manchester United contract was terminated.
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The 38-year-old was one of the first elite players to make the move to Saudi Arabia, before he was followed by the likes of Karim Benzema, Neymar and N'Golo Kante in the summer as part of an influx of top signings.
Ronaldo is the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League this term, with 20 goals and a further nine assists in just 18 appearances. He scored 14 goals in 16 games last season.
His goal tally puts him ahead of the likes of Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, who both scored 52, while Erling Haaland (50) may have edged him out if he had not missed the last seven games of the year through injury.
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Speaking to Saudi Arabian outlet SSC after Al Nassr's latest win, Ronaldo gave a heartfelt interview when told of his achievement.
He said: "I'm really proud. I will continue, I feel good, I feel happy. Next year, I will try to do it again.
"I started the decision [for players] to come here, nobody believed what I say. But this is the past - it doesn't matter anymore.
"But the most important thing is that the players want to come, because they know the league is competitive. And the whole world now watches the league. I hope that if big players want to come, they will be very welcome.
"I'm very happy [to be the top scorer]. As I told you before, it's hard work and dedication.
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"I have to say thank you to my team-mates, without them this would not be possible. And the fans, because they follow everywhere. And I want to continue."