At 38, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to prove that age is nothing but a number, especially for a player who has achieved so much in his career. Cristiano Ronaldo’s longevity is what sets him apart from the pack, and the fact that he’s been doing it for as long as anyone can remember makes it even sweeter.
The former Real Madrid man has had a great year after a disappointing second season in his second stint at Manchester United. He has been the man on fire for club and country, scoring another brace in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ronaldo hits twice vs Bosnia to top 2023 goal scoring charts
Cristiano Ronaldo showed his class again as he scored a brace to help Portugal to a 5-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night. Portugal had already secured qualification ahead of the game, but Roberto Martinez still fielded his strongest lineup.
It only took Cristiano Ronaldo five minutes to open the scoring from the penalty spot after a Bosnian defender handled the ball from Rafael Leao’s shot. Ronaldo coolly slotted home the penalty to take his tally for 2023 to 39 goals. A through pass from Joao Felix set up Ronaldo for his second goal as he chipped a cheeky goal over the goalkeeper, making it his second brace in less than a week for his country after scoring a brace in the previous qualifying match against Slovakia.
The Al-Nassr forward could have made it three from a cut-back from Bruno Fernandes, but a miskick fell to Joao Cancelo, who scored an emphatic goal, perhaps the best goal of the night, to extend Portugal’s lead by four goals. Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix scored Portugal’s other goals of the night in a first-half rout of Bosnia.
With his brace in the win over Bosnia, Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 40 goals and assisted a further eight in 43 games for club and country, making him the top goalscorer in 2023, a commendable feat for a 38-year-old.
Clearly, Ronaldo wasn’t thinking of his reported 99 lashes judgment from the Iranian judiciary for his public show of affection to a female fan.
A pitch invader in Bosnia tried to hurt Cristiano Ronaldo
While Cristiano Ronaldo was dictating the play in the win over Bosnia, a pitch invader amongst the home fans tried to hurt the Portugal star, but a swift response from the stadium guards ensured the former United man’s safety. Ronaldo initially looked hurt, as he appeared to have taken a hit to his ankle. However, he was able to shake off the pain and walk back to the pitch as he acknowledged the referee’s quick thinking to stop the game as soon as he cited the pitch invader.
Ronaldo, 38, is reportedly willing to continue his playing career in the Middle East, where he appears to be enjoying football again. The former Juventus forward only joined Al-Nassr in December on a $75 million-per-year deal but is willing to extend his stay with the Saudi club until 2027.
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