Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘I am proud to beat young goalscorers like Haaland in 2023’

In 2023, Ronaldo emerged as the top goalscorer in world football, surpassing other prolific strikers like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane. 

His achievement is especially noteworthy considering he scored 54 goals for both Al-Nassr and Portugal at 38 years old, an impressive feat that underlines his enduring prowess on the field. The striker received the Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year 2023 at the Globe Soccer Awards.

Ronaldo's success this season is not just about his goal tally but also about whom he outperformed. In a statement, he expressed pride in beating "young lions" like Haaland, emphasising the challenge and his delight in overcoming it.

“I was the best goalscorer this season; imagine beating young animals like Haaland. I’m proud. And I’ll be 39 soon,” he said. 

Ronaldo's journey has not been without its critics, especially following his move from Manchester United to Al-Nassr. However, his response to criticism has been one of resilience and determination. 

He mentioned his enjoyment in proving doubters wrong and succeeding despite criticism. “I like when people doubt again about me and then I’m successfull. I don’t get affected by the criticism,” the Portuguese said.

This mindset demonstrates Ronaldo's mental strength and his ability to stay focused and motivated, regardless of external opinions.

At 38 years old, Ronaldo continues to set records and defy the norms, showing no signs of slowing down in his illustrious career