MADRID – Kylian Mbappe has won the European Golden Shoe award. The Real Madrid striker scored 31 goals in his first La Liga season. This is Mbappe’s first time winning the top scorer prize. His 31 goals gave him 62 points in the award rankings. UEFA’s scoring system gives two points per goal in Europe’s top five leagues.
Mbappe Expresses Joy, Follows Henry
Mbappe shared his excitement about the European Golden Shoe win. “This is a dream come true,” Mbappe said. “To win this in my first year in Spain, with a club like Real Madrid, is something special.” The 25-year-old French player is only the second Frenchman to win this award. Thierry Henry was the last French player to win it in 2004. This achievement highlights Mbappe’s 31 goals in a competitive league.
Close Race Sees Gyökeres and Salah Trail
The competition for the European Golden Shoe was intense. Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting Lisbon finished second. Gyökeres scored 39 goals in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. This earned him 58.5 points. The Portuguese league has a 1.5-point-per-goal coefficient. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah secured third place. Salah scored 29 goals for Liverpool. He received 58 points. Salah’s goals helped Liverpool win the Premier League title. “I gave everything this season, and I’m proud of my numbers,” Salah stated. “But Mbappe has been phenomenal.”
Lewandowski Unable to Catch Mbappe
Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona currently has 25 goals. He has one final league game against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. It is mathematically impossible for Lewandowski to score enough goals to pass Mbappe’s 62 points. “It’s been a tough season, and I gave my best,” Lewandowski commented. “Congrats to Kylian—he deserves it.” The European Golden Shoe scoring system often creates late drama. It favors goals scored in more difficult leagues.
By Kayode Ojo
