Kylian Mbappé Claims Golden Shoe After Thrilling Finish

Madrid, Spain — Kylian Mbappé secured the 2024-25 European Golden Shoe after a thrilling finish to the season. The French forward scored two goals in Real Madrid‘s 2-0 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday, bringing his tally for the season to 31 goals and a total of 62 points. This victory marked the conclusion of a fiercely contested race for Europe’s top goalscorer.

With one game remaining for most players in the race, Mbappé surged past Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting Lisbon, who had led the standings with 39 goals and 58.5 points. Gyökeres’s league campaign has now ended, leaving him unable to add to his score.

Mbappé’s goals on Saturday were not just crucial for the Golden Shoe; they also capped off a remarkable late-season run, where he scored nine times in his last five matches. He became the first player to win the Golden Shoe at Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo, who had dominated the award for years.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool also had a chance to challenge for the title, entering the final weekend with 28 goals and 56 points. However, he scored only once in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, finishing the season in third place.

The Golden Shoe, awarded by European Sports Media, is based on a weighted-points system that values goals differently depending on the league. Goals from the top five leagues are worth two points each, while goals from lower-ranked leagues receive less value.

This year’s race was particularly close, with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the season showing the high level of competition. The history of the Golden Shoe dates back to 1968, making this year’s outcome even more significant as it highlights the emergence of new talent in European football.

As the season wraps up, Kylian Mbappé’s triumph renews interest in the prestigious award, previously dominated by legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.