Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar earning over $200 million with his Al-Nassr contract, has outshone Lionel Messi and Neymar as the highest-paid footballers in 2023. Despite being 38 years old, the former Real Madrid number seven continues to impress with his goal-scoring spree for both club and country this season.
Ronaldo’s longevity and competitiveness are undeniably some of the best examples of work ethic and professionalism in the sporting world. Upon his return from international duty to club training in Riyadh, his teammates surprised him to celebrate yet another career milestone in 2023.
Portugal and Al-Nassr colors adorn Ronaldo’s milestone cake
The Portuguese talisman is well-acquainted with achievements and milestones, having played for esteemed clubs in Europe like Manchester United and Real Madrid. He shattered countless records and attained numerous triumphs, trophies, and individual awards. Now, he has added yet another accomplishment to his impressive list.
Cristiano Ronaldo has asserted his claim as one of the greatest players of all time, alongside Lionel Messi. This calendar year, he secured the top scorer title ahead of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Messi, with an impressive tally of 40 goals in 2023.
During the international break, Portugal resumed their UEFA EURO qualification campaign against Slovenia and Bosnia Herzegovina. They easily defeated both teams, with Captain Ronaldo scoring two consecutive braces in both fixtures, securing their spot in EURO 2024 in Germany.
The Al-Nassr star scored his 127th goal for Portugal, marking a remarkable 200 caps in total. With a tally of 40 goals, he stands as the highest goal scorer in 2023. In celebration of their captain’s achievement, his teammates arranged a special cake as a surprise during the training session.
He was pleasantly delighted by this gesture and took to social media to express his gratitude, where he thanked his teammates.
Cristiano Ronaldo seeks contract extension with Al Nassr
Ronaldo has been relishing his time in the Saudi Pro League since his move in January from Manchester United, emerging as their standout player this season. His exceptional performance is evident from the figures: he has scored 11 goals and provided 6 assists in a total of 11 appearances across all competitions this season.
Reportedly, the Portuguese star is content at the club and has expressed a desire to extend his stay until 2027. It is said that he has already informed the club about his decision before heading off for national team commitments, with the goal of participating in the next World Cup before retiring at Al-Nassr.
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