Cristiano Ronaldo is closing the year as one of the top goalscorers of the world and while the goals and assists keep coming, fans in Saudi Arabia have made it their duty to remind the legendary striker of his ultimate rival, Lionel Messi.
“Louder, I can’t hear you!” — Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible reaction to Messi chants
Classic Ronaldo.
On Monday, when Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr faced off against Al-Shabab in the King Cup of Champions, a large sector of the home fans in the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium decided to remind the Portuguese striker of his long-time rival and competitor in hopes of getting his head and focus out of the game. “Messi, Messi, Messi” were some of the chants yelled at the No. 7.
However, while most players would like to avoid such chants and provocations from the stands, the 38-year-old responded and challenged fans to continue and even to say them louder.
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“C’mon, louder. I can’t hear you,” signaled the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to the stands.
It was the Al-Shabab fans' lack of knowledge to know that these types of chants toward the Al-Nassr captain usually motivate him more to do what he does best: score goals. And that's just what happened.
Minutes after the chants and Ronaldo’s reaction, the Portuguese legend went on to score his 50th goal of the calendar year, sealing Al-Nassr’s eventual 5-2 victory in the 74th minute. A cool, calm finish for the former Real Madrid man.
¡GOL DE CRISTIANO RONALDO! Ya llegó por quien lloraban. #CR7 le pone la tapa al pomo y consigue la goleada de su equipo. #SKCenFOX pic.twitter.com/SZfs0AZwNF
— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) December 11, 2023
You poke the bear, you suffer the consequences.
Another year, another milestone — Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 50 goals in 2023
Ronaldo has been inevitable.
The No. 7’s goal against Al-Shabab on Monday became the Portuguese’s 50th goal of the year, a milestone he had failed to reach since 2017. This is the eighth time Ronaldo has managed to reach 50 goals in a calendar year.
- This is the 8th time in the career of Cristiano Ronaldo that he has scored 50 goals or more in a calendar year
• 2011: 60 goals
• 2012: 63 goals
• 2013: 69 goals
• 2014: 61 goals
• 2015: 57 goals
• 2016: 55 goals
• 2017: 53 goals
• 2023: 50 goals pic.twitter.com/krUiT5r57v— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) December 11, 2023
This achievement currently places the 38-year-old as the world’s current top goalscorer of the year, with a few matches left to be played in 2023.
The top scores in 2023:
• Cristiano Ronaldo - 50 goals
• Erling Haaland - 50 goals
• Harry Kane - 49 goals
• Kylian Mbappe - 49 goalsThis is INCREDIBLE. pic.twitter.com/oV28yTs99g
— TC (@totalcristiano) December 11, 2023
Ronaldo’s amazing year is largely attributed to his fantastic 2023-24 season with Al-Nassr. The Portuguese currently tallies 26 goals and 10 assists in just 28 games played in the campaign. He’s the Saudi Pro League's current top goalscorer (16) and assist leader (8).
Like fine wine.
