As La Liga nears its dramatic conclusion, the biggest question isn’t just who will lift the league trophy—it’s who will walk away with the coveted Pichichi Trophy, awarded to the season’s top goalscorer. The tension is high, the goals are precious, and the protagonists are two of the game’s elite: Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe. But this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about pride, legacy, and a rivalry that now stretches far beyond the pitch.
It’s been a season of narratives, from the arrival of Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid to Barcelona’s resurgence under Hansi Flick. But now, a different El Clasico battle is taking center stage: the race for the Pichichi.
The French superstar turned La Liga on its head with a breathtaking performance in the last Clasico — scoring a hat-trick at Camp Nou, even as Real Madrid lost 4-3. That personal triumph propelled Mbappe to the top of the scoring charts with 27 league goals, overtaking Lewandowski, who stands at 25.
More impressively, Mbappe now holds the all-time Real Madrid record for most goals in a debut season, surpassing the legendary Ivan Zamorano’s 1992-93 mark. The 26-year-old has netted 39 goals across all competitions, sending a strong message to his rivals.
How Barcelona players plan to help Lewandowski take the lead again
On the other side of the rivalry, Robert Lewandowski finds himself at a crossroads. With 25 goals in 31 appearances, the Polish striker has endured a worrying drought, last scoring in La Liga on March 30 against Girona. A muscle injury, picked up in a clash with Celta Vigo, sidelined him for five crucial matches, stalling his momentum just as he approached his 100th goal for Barcelona—a milestone he still hasn’t reached.
Despite his struggles, the Barcelona dressing room has rallied around him. According to El Nacional, the Blaugrana’s players have “vowed to feed him” in the remaining three matches of the season, hoping to tilt the Pichichi back in Lewandowski’s favor. The goal? Not just to crown their No. 9, but to deny Mbappe his first major individual accolade in Spain.
Penalties and controversy
There is more at stake than goals, the report adds. The atmosphere between the two camps is thick with tension. Barcelona players and staff are growing increasingly frustrated by what they see as refereeing ‘favoritism’ toward Real Madrid.
Statistically, the numbers back their argument. Los Blancos have been awarded 13 penalties this season, converting many through the Frenchman, while Barca has had only six. Of Mbappe’s 27 goals, seven have come from the spot — more than double Lewandowski’s three penalties.
It’s a detail that hasn’t gone unnoticed in Catalonia. The talk around the club is that the 26-year-old’s goal tally is being padded, and there’s a sense of injustice that fuels their determination. “Lewandowski’s Pichichi is everyone’s business,” a source close to the Barca squad reportedly said, highlighting the unified desire to give their striker the boost he needs.
