IOverall, it hasn’t been a good season for Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid were eliminated from La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. To make matters worse, Vedat Muriqui is threatening his status as the league’s top scorer. He has scored 23 goals compared to 21 for Mallorca’s No.9.
Even his personal record is at risk. Folarin Balogun (New York City, 2001) can boast of being, along with the Real Madrid player, the only players to score in eight consecutive games in Major League Baseball this season. The record will be surpassed if Monaco’s number 9 scores against Toulouse
That’s interesting. The former Arsenal youth player, who signed for $30 million in 2023, has already put Mbappé’s status as ‘Pichichi’ in jeopardy in the 2022-23 season. Balogun, who was playing for Reims at the time, finished Ligue 1 with 21 goals. Mbappé ends up scoring 29 points
In the Principality, he never did well, mainly due to injuries. He scored eight goals in the 2023-24 season and four goals in the 2024-25 season. This season, by early November, the number had decreased by one to three.
His departure became noticeable when Sebastian Pocognoli replaced Adi Hitter in mid-October. Of the 18 goals he has scored this season, 17 (12 in the league) have come under the direction of the former Union Saint Giroise manager.
“He has improved his play with his back to the goal, improved his passing, improved his finishing… But he still wants to improve and is receptive,” Pocognoli said. “He’s a player who learns and is open to suggestions.”
He’s improved his play with his back to the goal, his passing has improved, his finishing has improved…but he still wants to improve and has an attitude of acceptance.
“He is more effective and we are giving him good passes. We are making the most of his characteristic of long balls into space, which suits him very well,” insists teammate Jordan Teze.“I feel more free and more responsible,” said Balogun, who is eyeing a Ligue 1 goal streak. “Pocognoli is an extraordinary manager, he gives us a lot of ideas, creativity and freedom. He is also very demanding.” This record is held by Brazilian Sonny Anderson. The former Barcelona and Villarreal player scored in 11 consecutive games for Lyon in 2001.
