Blow for Messi as unstoppable Cristiano Ronaldo wins Maradona Award for 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo has clinched the accolade for highest goalscorer for 2023 at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, outshining competitors Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland.

This achievement adds another feather to Ronaldo’s cap of individual successes, as he impressively notched 54 goals in 59 matches for Al Nassr and Portugal, surpassing Kylian Mbappe (52 goals in 53 matches), Harry Kane (52 goals in 57 matches), and Erling Haaland (50 goals in 60 matches for Manchester City). 

The Diego Maradona Award for the highest goal scorer over 12 months was introduced in 2021 with Robert Lewandowski taking home the inaugural prize. 

Lionel Messi has never won the award and Cristiano Ronaldo continues to show that he is still at his very best, despite being 38 years old.