La Liga 2024/25 Top Scorers: The Race for the Pichichi Trophy & Player Stats
The 2024–25 La Liga season is in full swing, and with it comes the fierce competition for the Pichichi Trophy, the prestigious award presented to the league’s top goal scorer. This year's race is already proving to be a riveting spectacle, with both seasoned stars and emerging talents lighting up Spain’s top flight.
Kylian Mbappe
At the summit of the goal-scoring chart is Kylian Mbappe, who leads the pack with 27 goals for Real Madrid. Having arrived from Paris Saint-Germain with six Ligue 1 Golden Boots, the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot, and the 2023–24 Champions League Golden Boot to his name, Mbappe's impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has hit the ground running and is living up to the hype with consistent performances that underline his world-class status.
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Robert Lewandowski
Hot on his heels is Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona’s veteran striker, who has already netted 25 goals this season. Lewandowski continues to be a dominant force in La Liga, having scored 23 goals in his debut season and 19 the following year. The Polish marksman remains crucial to Barcelona’s attack and is expected to maintain his goal-scoring momentum as the campaign unfolds.
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Ante Budimir
Occupying third place is Ante Budimir of Osasuna, with 19 goals. Budimir, often operating as a lone striker, has built on last season’s tally of 17 goals and remains a key figure in his team’s offensive setup. Despite not being a household name, his consistency has made him one of the league’s standout forwards.
Raphinha
Another Barcelona player, Raphinha, has made a strong impression with 18 goals. After choosing to remain at Camp Nou despite lucrative offers from Chelsea and Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian winger has found his form under new coach Hansi Flick, becoming an indispensable part of the team’s attack.
Alexander Sørloth
Alexander Sørloth, who switched to Atlético Madrid following a remarkable 23-goal campaign with Villarreal, has so far scored 17 goals. While the Norwegian forward is still settling into Diego Simeone's system, his goal tally suggests he’s adjusting well.
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Ayoze Perez
In sixth place is Ayoze Perez of Villarreal with 16 goals. Having previously made his mark at Newcastle and Leicester, Perez is rediscovering his goal-scoring touch in Spain and is proving to be a vital player for his current club.
Oihan Sancet and Julian Alvarez are tied at 15 goals apiece. Sancet, a creative midfielder for Athletic Bilbao, has shown significant growth and now contributes regularly in front of goal. Alvarez, a new signing for Atlético Madrid from Manchester City, has quickly become a mainstay in the team, showcasing his adaptability and poise in his debut season.
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Kike Garcia of Alavés follows with 12 goals. At 35 years old, Kike might not be the flashiest striker, but his experience and presence give Alavés a reliable attacking option.
Three players share the 11-goal mark:
- Dodi Lukebakio, Sevilla's aggressive forward, has been a bright spot for a team in transition.
- Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid, who has stepped up his performance levels in the absence of Karim Benzema, contributing both goals and assists.
- Javi Puado, who continues to deliver for Espanyol, particularly in crucial situations as the club fights to avoid relegation.
Also on 11 goals is Thierno Barry, Villarreal’s young striker signed from Basel. His performances this season reflect a major step in his development, as he emerges as one of La Liga’s brightest young centre-forwards.
Closing out the current top 15 are two players tied on 10 goals:
- Ferran Torres, who has bounced back from a challenging period at Barcelona to display sharp finishing and high shot accuracy.
- Fabio Silva, the Portuguese forward, enjoying a career resurgence on loan at Las Palmas after underwhelming spells at Wolves and various clubs in Europe.
The story behind the Pichichi Trophy - Who was Pichichi and what was his story?
The Pichichi Trophy is named after Rafael Moreno Aranzadi, better known as Pichichi, a legendary forward who played for Athletic Club in the early 20th century. The award, created by Spanish sports newspaper Marca in 1953, honors the top scorer of each La Liga season.
Pichichi was a trailblazer — Athletic’s first professional footballer and a key player for Spain at the 1920 Olympics, where he won a silver medal. Known for his cleverness, passion, and street-soccer ingenuity, Pichichi was revered by fans and peers alike. He scored the first goal ever at San Mamés stadium in 1913 and remained a fan favorite until his untimely death in 1922 due to typhoid fever.
Today, the trophy that bears his name is one of the most iconic individual honors in Spanish football. In a touching tradition, visiting team captains leave a bouquet at his bust outside San Mamés on their first visit — a ritual that reinforces his enduring legacy in Spanish football history.
As the 2024–25 season unfolds, the battle for the Pichichi is far from over. With talents like Mbappe, Lewandowski, and Raphinha in form, fans can expect a thrilling contest for one of football's most coveted personal accolades.
SportsLigue