Ronaldo sets one surprising record in 2019
Cristiano Ronaldo will look back fondly on this decade but despite winning more trophies in 2019, this year has been his worst statistically in terms of goalscoring over the last 10 years.
These 12 months have seen the 34-year-old add to his plethora of medals at club (Serie A with Juventus) and international level (Nations League with Portugal) but his goal output drop.
Despite scoring 39 times this calendar year, it is remarkably his lowest tally in the 2010s – such has been his brilliance.
Robert Lewandowski has been the most prolific marksman in 2019 – netting 54 times. The Bayern Munich and Poland striker is followed by Lionel Messi’s half century for Barcelona and Argentina.
Not exactly an 'annus horribilis'!
Cristiano Ronaldo suffers his WORST goalscoring year of the decade… but he still managed to net an incredible 39 times for club and country AND win the Nations Leaguehttps://t.co/6zrSnZhFzS
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) December 26, 2019
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain and France) is third with 44, Raheem Sterling (Manchester City and England) is fourth on 41 with Erhan Zahavi (Guangzhou Evergrande and Israel) rounding out the top five with 40 goals.
Ronaldo’s tally of 39 – 25 with Juventus and 14 with Portugal – places him in sixth.
Since 2013 there has been a gradual decline in the number of goals scored by the iconic No 7 every 12 months – although it must be said that they are still numbers any striker would be proud of.
Read Also:Ronaldo tipped to break all-time leading scorer record in 2020
Since his peak of 69 goals in 2013 – during his time at Real Madrid, Ronaldo’s numbers has dipped to 61 in 2014, 57 in 2015, 55 in 2016, 53 in 2017, 49 in 2018 and now 39 in 2019.
Prior to his peak he had 48 goals in 2010, 60 in 2011 and 63 in 2012.
Ronaldo continues to strive for perfection, so expect him to try and surpass 39 goals come the end of 2020.