KYLIAN MBAPPé CLINCHES GOLDEN BOOT, DROPS HINT ON REAL MADRID FUTURE
Kylian Mbappé wins his first European Golden Boot after scoring 31 La Liga goals for Real Madrid. The forward expressed his hope to stay at the club "for many years" and win more team trophies under coach Xabi Alonso.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                Real Madrid ace Mbappé celebrates Golden Boot - (AP Photo/Cesar Cebolla)
                            
                            After winning the European Golden Boot for 2024–25, Kylian Mbappé stated that he hopes to stay at Real Madrid "for many years" and win more trophies there.
For the first time in his career, Mbappé won the coveted individual trophy, which is given out by European Sports Media, with 31 La Liga goals in his first season with Madrid.
Mbappé remarked, "It is a pleasure for me to win the Golden Boot," during a ceremony held at the Bernabéu on Friday, which was attended by Real Madrid's team, coach Xabi Alonso, and president Florentino Pérez.
"This is my first time winning this prize; therefore, it is a significant moment for me. As a forward, it holds great significance for me.
With a points system that favors goals in more competitive leagues, the honor is given to the highest scorer in Europe's leagues throughout a season.
With 31 league goals, Mbappé finished with 62 points, more than Viktor Gyökeres, who finished with 58.5 points for his season at Sporting CP, and Mo Salah of Liverpool, who finished with 58 points.
Erling Haaland took home the award in 2022–2023; Harry Kane did so in 2023–2024; and Robert Lewandowski did so in the two seasons prior.
After Madrid won 12 of 13 games across all competitions in the 2025–26 season under new coach Alonso, Mbappé gave his teammates high marks.
Mbappé remarked, "We have an excellent squad."
"I am hoping that this year we will take home significant awards. Winning group awards is the most crucial factor. I want to stay here for a long time and win this kind of thing a lot."
After defeating rivals Barcelona in their Clásico last weekend, Madrid leads La Liga by five points. On Saturday, they will host Valencia.
Mbappé remarked, "I hope we will continue as a team, since the team is the most essential thing."
"Winning these trophies is impossible without these players. I am aware of that. I want to express my gratitude to the staff, physicians, and club for supporting me both on and off the field. I have gotten off to a good start, so I hope to win it again next year."
President Pérez, who for many years made signing Mbappé a high priority, remarked, "I am very proud that our squad can count on a player like you." "You are the ideal embodiment of this club's principles.
"You won the Intercontinental Cup and the UEFA Super Cup last season. You scored 44 goals across all competitions and 31 league goals in 34 games to win this shoe. You have already scored 16 goals this season.
"You have the finest start to a season in your career and are the league's and the Champions League's top scorer. We have had three Golden Shoes here [at Madrid]: Hugo Sánchez, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ronaldo Nazario. This is your first, and it is really hard to get."
BARCELONA COULD DEPLOY STAR IN SURPRISING NEW ROLE
With Pedri injured and Gavi out long-term, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick may deploy defender Eric García in a defensive midfield role. The Spaniard has played in midfield before, offering a creative solution.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                    Barcelona star eyed in new position after Pedri sidelined - Photo Credit: EFE
                                
                                After Blaugrana teammate Pedri's injury, Barcelona star Eric García might be moved back into the middle of the park.
Naturally, Spanish international Pedri just received a sentence that will keep him out of action for a while.
Earlier this week, following a series of standard medical examinations, a severe hamstring injury was found.
As a result, Pedri can be on the treatment table for up to two months.
After Gavi's most recent long-term setback, Hansi Flick may already be lacking choices in the midfield and will need to find innovative ways to bolster his engine room in the coming months.
A change of role for Eric García is one such proposal that has been suggested again in recent days.
Eric, a defender, has previously made several appearances on the field in a defensive midfield position.
It is hardly impossible that the former Manchester City player may soon be put to the test further forward after having such a strong start to the season, starting at both right-back and centre-back.
 
                                    RUBEN AMORIM ANTICIPATES MAN UTD PLAYERS SUBMITTING TRANSFER REQUESTS SOON
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim anticipates January transfer requests from fringe players like Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo, who risk missing the World Cup due to a lack of playing time at Old Trafford.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                    Amorim predicts Man Utd players like Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo may seek transfers -  Photo Credit: Getty Images
                                
                                Before the World Cup in January, Ruben Amorim stated that he anticipates players who are not playing for Manchester United will request to leave the team.
Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo have both had few chances at Old Trafford this season.
Both players risk missing out on a spot at the World Cup next summer with England and the Netherlands, respectively, if they do not play frequently.
At the end of the summer window, Mainoo asked to leave United, but United refused.
Additionally, Amorim is getting ready for the possibility that both players could want moves in January.
Amorim responded, "A lot of things can happen," in response to a question concerning the January timeframe.
"I have to handle everything because even with our club, you know, we have the World Cup, some players are not playing and will ask to leave."
Since Amorim took over a year ago, United has spent around £250 million ($328 million) on players.
Instead of January, the club typically completes the majority of its transfer activity in the summer.
Amorim stated that United is concentrating on long-term hiring choices, although he did not rule out bolstering the team during the winter transfer window.
He declared, "We want to attract guys, everyone here, we want to bring players to Manchester United that we see having a tremendous future."
"We feel that we need this type of player for the time being in December; therefore, we are not simply purchasing one guy. No, it will be.... We want to purchase players that we know we will not be changing frequently. That is what we have in mind.
"I do not know what will happen, but we naturally consider how we can strengthen the team, and because January is an open window, we can take action."
 
        
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