Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 26th goal of the season as Al Nassr swept aside rivals Al Shabab to reach the semi-finals of the Saudi King Cup.
Ronaldo netted his side’s fourth in a 5-2 win with 16 minutes of the match remaining. It was his 26th goal in 28 matches for the Saudi Pro League club so far this 2023/24 season.
It took the prolific Portuguese to 50 goals for the calendar year, the eighth time he has managed that feat.
That's some way short of his best return, set in 2013 when the then Real Madrid striker netted an incredible 69 goals for club and country, though he still has three more fixtures left in 2023.
Most goals in a calendar year
That record belongs to Ronaldo's nemesis Lionel Messi.
In 2012, Messi scorched 91 goals for Barcelona (79) and Argentina (12) – a record unlikely to be touched any time soon.
The closest any player has come in Messi's era is the 69 set by Ronaldo (2013) and Robert Lewandowski (2021) during the Poland striker's final year at Bayern Munich.
The previous record for most goals in a calendar year was Gerd Muller's 85 for Bayern Munich and West Germany in 1972.
Other great scorers to enjoy incredible goal returns in a calendar year include Brazil legends Pele (75 goals in 1958; 72 goals in 1965), Zico (72 goals in 1979) and Romario (72 goals in 2000).
Most 50+ goals in a calendar year
That record belongs to Messi, also.
Messi, 36, has scored 50+ goals in a calendar year nine times (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). Though his goals output has slowed in recent times his influence is a strong as ever as was evident during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when Messi scored twice in the final as well as in the penalty shoot-out in their victory over France.
Players with most 50+ goals in a calendar year
Josef Bican – Four times
Pele – Five times
Gerd Muller – Five times
Cristiano Ronaldo – Eight times
Lionel Messi – Nine times
More from Neighbourhood Watch
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at the Gabba
Australia 312-1
Warner 151 not out, Burns 97, Labuschagne 55 not out
Pakistan 240
Shafiq 76, Starc 4-52
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
