The Serie A season is only at the halfway point but Cristiano Ronaldo has already reached yet another goal-scoring milestone to add to his ever-burgeoning collection of records.
The prolific Portuguese striker hit a double in Juventus' 2-1 win over Sampdoria on Saturday, taking him to 14 Serie A goals – the highest single-season tally for a Portuguese player in Italy’s top flight.
Ronaldo overtook compatriot Rui Barros, who scored 12 times in Juventus colors during the 1988-89 season.
Ronaldo's first strike of Saturday's clash in Turin came in the second minute when he rifled home a low shot past goalkeeper Emil Audero.
The 33-year-old forward later added a second from the penalty spot as Juve ran out 2-1 winners, although Sampdoria were controversially denied a late equalizer after VAR ruled a goal out for offside.
While some may argue we are increasingly entering niche territory in the Ronaldo record stakes – and those of his great rival Lionel Messi – the latest milestone is testament to how well the Portuguese ace is adapting to life in Italy following his move from Real Madrid in the summer.
Also on rt.com ‘I'm at the best team. I don’t need to change’: Messi responds to Ronaldo's Italian challengeThe goals also took Ronaldo to the top of the Serie A scoring charts for this season, ahead of Genoa’s Krzysztof Piatek who has 13 strikes – although the Juve man has five assists to his name, whereas Piatek has none.
Table-toppers Juve extended their unbeaten start to the season to 19 games and sit top of Serie A with 53 points from 19 games.
However, one feat that Ronaldo has failed to achieve in 2018 is reaching 50 goals in a calendar year, with his double on Saturday taking him to 49 goals.
It's the first time since 2010 that he hasn't reached the half-century mark.
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