While controversy continues to role La Liga, the ball will once again be rolling in Spain this weekend, with FC Barcelona’s visit to third-placed Real Betis and Real Madrid’s match against Sevilla highlighting the ninth-round schedule.
As teams jostle for position at the top of the table, individual players are also chasing the Pichichi, the trophy awarded each season to the top scorer in Spain.
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Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has won the past two and already is off to a strong start, though everyone is chasing Barcelona’s Raphinha at the moment.
Here’s the current state of the Pichichi race heading into matches to be played Oct. 17:
1 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappé has been unstoppable for France at the 2026 World Cup. These photos capture some of his greatest moments on the pitch. Mbappe runs with the ball past Iraq’s midfielder Zaid Ismael during the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22, 2026.
(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
1 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappé has been unstoppable for France at the 2026 World Cup. These photos capture some of his greatest moments on the pitch. Mbappe runs with the ball past Iraq’s midfielder Zaid Ismael during the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22, 2026.
(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
2 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe competes for the ball with Paraguay’s Diego Gomez Soccer during the Round of 16 match in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.
(BILL STREICHER, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
3 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe and Senegal’s forward Sadio Mane fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 16, 2026.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)
4 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe scores France’s first goal against Sweden during the Round of 32 match in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 30, 2026.
(Mike Segar, REUTERS)
5 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe jumps during the group match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22, 2026.
(MAURO PIMENTEL, AFP via Getty Images)
6 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe scores France’s first goal during the group stage match between France and Senegal on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, N.J.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)
7 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe scores France’s first goal during the group stage match between France and Senegal on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, N.J.
(Mike Segar, REUTERS)
8 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring France’s first goal during the group stage match between France and Senegal on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, N.J.
(Dan Mullan, Getty Images)
9 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe scores France’s team’s third goal during group stage match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 16, 2026.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)
10 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring France’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between France and Sweden in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 30, 2026.
(ANGELA WEISS, AFP via Getty Images)
11 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe and Paraguay’s defender Juan Jose Caceres fall on the ground during their 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.
(ODD ANDERSEN, AFP via Getty Images)
12 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappechases after the ball during the group stage match between France and Senegal on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, N.J.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
13 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe scores France’s first goal from the penalty spot during the Round of 16 against Paraguay in Philadelphia, July 4, 2026.
(Dylan Martinez, REUTERS)
14 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe scores France’s first goal past Paraguay’s Orlando Gill from the penalty spot.
(BILL STREICHER, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
15 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring France’s first goal against Paraguay in Philadelphia, July 4, 2026.
(Dylan Martinez, REUTERS)
16 / 16
Explosive plays by Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup stage
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring France’s first goal against Paraguay in Philadelphia, July 4, 2026.
(Dylan Martinez, REUTERS)
Top goal scorers in La Liga
12 goals
7 goals
Sergio Camello (Rayo Vallecano)
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona)
Yassir Zabiri (Racing Santander)
6 goals
Roberto Fernandez (Espanyol)
Ante Budimir (CA Osasuna)
5 goals
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Deportivo A Coruña)
Lucas Boyé (Deportivo Alavés)
4 goals
Álex Baena (Atletico de Madrid)
Fermín López (FC Barcelona)
NOTE: Eight players with 3 goals
Previous Golden Boot/Pichichi winners
2025-26: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) – 25 goals
2024-25: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) – 31 goals
2023-24: Artem Dovbyk (Girona) – 24 goals
2022-23: Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona) – 23 goals
