Cristiano Ronaldo Passes Erling Haaland As Top Scorer in 2023 With Brace for Portugal

• Cristiano Ronaldo has become the top scorer for club and country in 2023
• He reached this with a brace for Portugal versus Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Ronaldo's double saw him overtake Norwegian goal-hunter Erling Haaland

Cristiano Ronaldo usurped Erling Haaland as the outright top scorer in 2023 following his brace against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday, October 16.

Ronaldo maintained his impressive form from the Slovakia game, where he netted twice, aiding Portugal's early qualification for next summer's European Championship in Germany.

The 38-year-old exhibited no signs of slowing down from Friday night's match, replicating his success against the Dragons at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica.

He initiated the breakthrough with a penalty five minutes into the match before elegantly lofting the ball past the Bosnian goalkeeper in a swift counterattack - with assistance from Barcelona's Joao Felix - to secure his second goal.

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With these accomplishments in the first half, Ronaldo's total goals in the calendar year now stand at an impressive 40 in 43 appearances for both club and country, surpassing Haaland in the process, per ES Euro.

Top club and country scorers in 2023

German keeper comments on Ronaldo as GOAT

Meanwhile, Manuel Neuer has added to the current discourse regarding the football greatest of all time (GOAT) debate involving Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

As Sports Brief reported, the 'German wall' shared his sentiments on which between the Argentine and the Portuguese stars he finds most formidable.

When prompted about whether his choice was influenced by who he had conceded more goals against, Neuer emphasised the difference the two veterans.

United skipper sings Ronaldo's praises

Sports Brief also reported that Bruno Fernandes had offered high praise to Ronaldo following their country's successful qualification for Euro 2024.

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In the aftermath of their recent victory at the tournament, the Manchester United captain emphasised his national skipper's significant role in the squad.

Speaking after the Slovakia match, Fernandes highlighted how Ronaldo had contributed to elevating Portugal's standing in the global football arena.