The 2024/25 La Liga Season Kicks Off with High Stakes
The 2024/25 La Liga season began on August 15, 2024, and is set to conclude in May 2025. This year, the competition for the top spot is fiercer than ever, with teams and individuals vying for various honors. One of the most anticipated battles is the fight for the Golden Boot, or Pichichi award, which is given to the player with the most goals in the league. Last season, Girona’s Artem Dovbyk emerged as the top scorer, followed by Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona, and Alexander Sorloth of Villarreal. However, the landscape has shifted for the 2024/25 season, with new talent ready to challenge for the title. Notable among these is Kylian Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in July 2024. The French star, a 2018 World Cup winner, has quickly become one of the favorites to secure the Golden Boot this season.
Kylian Mbappé: The New Contender
Kylian Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid has generated significant buzz, and he has wasted no time in making his mark. His speed, agility, and clinical finishing have made him a formidable force in the league. Despite a strong start, Mbappé finds himself trailing behind a revitalized Robert Lewandowski, who has been in exceptional form, notably scoring two goals in a 4-0 El Clasico victory in late October. However, Lewandowski’s miss against Atletico Madrid in late December, which led to a historic win for Sorloth, has kept the race competitive. Mbappé’s переход (transition) from PSG to Real Madrid has been seamless, and his performances have solidified his position as a top contender for the Golden Boot.
The Front Runners: A Closer Look
As of February 15, 2025, the La Liga top scorers table presents a compelling picture. Robert Lewandowski leads the pack with 19 goals, including 2 penalties, and 22 assists in 21 matches. Kylian Mbappé follows closely with 17 goals, 5 of which were penalties, in 22 matches. Rounding out the top three is Barcelona’s Raphinha with 13 goals and 7 assists. Ante Budimir of Osasuna and Oihan Sancet of Athletic Bilbao are also making waves with 13 and 11 goals respectively. The table is updated regularly to reflect the ongoing competition, and fans can follow the race via The Sporting News.
The Legacy of the Pichichi Award
The Pichichi award, named after former Athletic Club striker Rafael "Pichichi" Moreno, is a storied honor in La Liga. It has been won by some of the greatest players in football history, with Lionel Messi holding the record for the most Golden Boot prizes, having won it eight times. Messi’s record of 474 goals in La Liga is a testament to his exceptional talent and consistency. Other notable winners include Telmo Zarra, Alfredo Di Stefano, Quini, Hugo Sanchez, Ferenc Puskas, Isidro Langara, Jose Eulogio Garate, Cristiano Ronaldo, and many others. Each of these players has left an indelible mark on the history of La Liga, and the current season promises to add new names to this prestigious list.
Key Players from the 2023/24 Season
In the 2023/24 season, Artem Dovbyk of Girona was the top scorer with 24 goals, including 7 penalties, and 8 assists in 36 matches. Alexander Sorloth of Villarreal came in second with 23 goals, followed by Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona with 19 goals and Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid with 19 goals. The 2023/24 season was particularly memorable for Dovbyk, who secured the Pichichi prize and subsequently moved to Roma. His performance set a high bar for the new season, and players like Lewandowski and Mbappé are determined to surpass it.
The 2022/23 Season: A Triumph for Barcelona
In the 2022/23 season, Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski won the Golden Boot with 23 goals in 34 La Liga matches, finishing four goals ahead of Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema. Lewandowski’s success was a key factor in Barcelona’s league title win, and his performances have continued to be a driving force for the team. The 2023/24 season saw him remain a top scorer, and he is once again a strong contender for the 2024/25 Pichichi award. The competition is fierce, but Lewandowski’s experience and consistency make him a formidable opponent for any player vying for the Golden Boot.
The 2024/25 La Liga season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with Kylian Mbappé, Robert Lewandowski, and a host of other talented players battling for the coveted Golden Boot.Fans and pundits alike are eagerly waiting to see who will emerge victorious and etch their name into the annals of La Liga history.
