Kylian Mbappe has won the European Golden Shoe for the first time in his career after a stunning debut season for Real Madrid.
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Mbappe enjoys stunning debut Madrid seasonScores 31 goals in La Liga campaignWins European Golden Shoe for first timeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The France international swapped Paris Saint-Germain for Madrid last summer and went on to score 42 goals in 55 games in all competitions this season. Although Mbappe's 31-goal haul in La Liga was behind Viktor Gyokeres' tally of 39 in the Primeira Liga for Sporting CP, the 26-year-old claimed the coveted honour as goals are worth two points for teams in Europe's top five leagues, as opposed to 1.5 for clubs outside those divisions – like the Portuguese one.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Mbappe was heavily criticised earlier on this season for his performances and apparent lack of goals, but now he has proven many wrong and claimed the European Golden Shoe. He finishes the season with 62 points, ahead of Gyokeres on 58.5 and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (29 goals with a 58 points tally).
DID YOU KNOW?
Following his brace against Real Sociedad, Mbappe has now become the only player in world football to win the European Golden Shoe, the World Cup Golden Boot, and the Champions League Golden Boot. He is also the first French player to win the European Golden Shoe since Thierry Henry, who claimed the award back-to-back in 2004 and 2005.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Mbappe ended up beating Robert Lewandowski to the Pichichi award in La Liga as the Barcelona striker finished on 27 goals after a final day brace against Athletic Club. The France international will aim to keep delivering the goals when Madrid compete at the Club World Cup next month, with group stage games against Al-Hilal, Pachuca, and Red Bull Salzburg pencilled in.