Mbappe closes the gap to Barcelona striker in Pichichi race after hat-trick vs Valladolid | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappe extended his excellent run of form last night, scoring his first hat-trick for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid and demonstrating the clinical finishing that had been missing at the start of his season.

The French superstar opened the scoring for Los Blancos at the half-hour mark before making it 2-0 for his team just before the hour mark.

The marquee summer signing completed his first hat-trick in stoppage-time, converting from the penalty spot.

In touching distance of Robert Lewandowski

Mbappe’s performance against Real Valladolid has firmly placed him in the race for the ‘Pichichi’ trophy, while also establishing him as the leader of this Real Madrid team.

Barcelona centre-forward Robert Lewandowski is currently leading the race for the top scorer in La Liga, with 16 goals to his name from 19 appearances.

However, Mbappe is now within touching distance of the veteran striker, with the Frenchman’s tally now at 15 goals in 19 league games.

It must be noted that Lewandowski, who began the season in excellent form, finished 2024 six goals ahead of Mbappe, who was third in the rankings at the time, tied with Ante Budimir and one goal behind Raphinha.

However, 2025 has seen a shift. Lewandowski has failed to score in La Liga this year, though he has netted five goals (including a double in the Copa del Rey, a goal in the Supercopa, and a brace in the Champions League).

Meanwhile, Mbappe has scored as many as five goals in his last two matches in the Spanish top-flight, and has now found the back of the net in each of the previous five games in all competitions.

Mbappe’s goal-scoring streak has also been crucial for Real Madrid, as it has helped them seize the top spot in La Liga and advance further in Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.