Cristiano Ronaldo Has The Best Goals-Per-Game Record In Saudi Pro League But Will He Add Another Golden Boot To His Collection?
It is looking likely that Cristiano Ronaldo will end the 2022/23 season without winning any team trophies.
Since he arrived in Saudi Arabia, his Al Nassr side have lost in the semi-finals of both the King Cup and the Saudi Super Cup.
Ronaldo's only hope of domestic silverware is now the Saudi Pro League, but Al Nassr are three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad, who have a game in hand and a superior head-to-head record.
Al-Ittihad have only lost once in their first 24 league matches this season, so they are widely expected to hold on in the title race.
But what about the race for the Golden Boot?
Ronaldo has won Golden Boots in the Premier League (2007/08), La Liga (2010/11, 2013/14 & 2014/15) and Serie A (2020/21) during his illustrious club career.
Therefore, even though Ronaldo joined Al Nassr midway through this season, many fancied the 38-year-old as a candidate to become the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League too.
Cristiano Ronaldo is aiming to win the Golden Boot in Saudi Arabia, having already done so in England, Spain and Italy
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So far, Ronaldo has scored 12 goals in his first 12 Saudi Pro League matches. He is the only player in the league currently averaging one goal per game.
But he will have to improve that rate further if he is to win the Golden Boot.
Al-Ittihad's Abderrazak Hamdallah and Al-Hilal's Odion Ighalo both have 18 goals.
The only other player with more goals than Ronaldo this season is his Al Nassr teammate Talisca, who has 16.
Al Nassr have just five matches remaining this season, so Ronaldo has a lot of work to do if he is to leapfrog Hamdallah and Ighalo.
But don't write him off. Ronaldo is capable of scoring goals in bunches. He already has two Saudi Pro League hat-tricks to his name.
Ronaldo will next be in action on Monday, May 8 when Al Nassr host relegation candidates Al-Khaleej.
Al Nassr are also scheduled to play Al-Ta'ee, Al-Shabab, Ettifaq and Al Fateh in May.
Saudi Pro League Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Club | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|
Abderrazak Hamdallah | 18 | Al-Ittihad | 20 |
Odion Ighalo | 18 | Al-Hilal | 22 |
Talisca | 16 | Al Nassr | 18 |
Cristiano Ronaldo | 12 | Al Nassr | 12 |
Carlos Junior | 12 | Al-Shabab | 17 |
Firas Al-Buraikan | 12 | Al Fateh | 23 |
Cristian Guanca | 11 | Al-Shabab | 24 |
Mourad Batna | 10 | Al Fateh | 20 |