Mbappé's Blistering Start to the Season: Spanish Press Hails His Goal-Scoring Prowess

Kylian Mbappé is already dominating the La Liga top scorer charts after just three matchdays, thanks to his hat-trick against Real Sociedad and a fourth goal against Malaga. Spanish newspapers believe the Real Madrid number 10 is on track for a new Pichichi award and is a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or.

Kylian Mbappé has made a spectacular debut. After scoring a hat-trick against Real Sociedad (4-1) on Wednesday, the French forward found the net again on Sunday during Real Madrid's commanding 4-0 victory over Malaga. Four goals in just three league games mark an ideal start to the season for the number 10, who is already aiming for the Pichichi, awarded to La Liga's top scorer.

By scoring against the promoted side at the Santiago Bernabéu, Kylian Mbappé reached a symbolic milestone of 90 goals for Real Madrid across all competitions at the start of his third season in Spain, with 60 of those coming in the league. His recent performances have not gone unnoticed by the local press.

'A Thoroughbred at His Career Peak'

Marca featured a picture of Mbappé on its front page following José Mourinho's team's victory. While AS placed Jude Bellingham on its cover, they still acknowledged Mbappé's third goal for Real Madrid, which brought his personal tally to four. The club's number 10 is also highlighted on the website's homepage with the headline "Mbappé has fire in his eyes." The Madrid-based publication notes, "He continues to fuel his hopes of winning the Ballon d'Or... He now aims to shine to win the Pichichi Trophy and the Golden Boot. But above all, he has fire in his eyes and passion in his legs. And it's only August," it raves.

Jorge Valdano also praised the French attacker extensively. Speaking on Movistar Plus, the former Real Madrid player, coach, and executive stated that this is Mbappé's "best start to a season" at Madrid. "And we mustn't forget that in his first year, he was the top scorer in Europe, and last year, the top scorer in the league. So it's difficult to ask more of a player," the 70-year-old Argentinian commented. "Kylian seems to be a thoroughbred at the peak of his career, in a moment of absolute flourishing thanks to his age, his confidence, and his class. It doesn't surprise me that Mbappé is one of the Ballon d'Or candidates," he added.

This year, no single player is overwhelmingly standing out for the Ballon d'Or, the ceremony for which will be held in London. The captain of the French national team, a semi-finalist in the last World Cup, is among the few contenders frequently mentioned in recent months, alongside Barcelona's World Cup winner Lamine Yamal, Bayern Munich's English striker Harry Kane, and Paris duo Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning champion.

His coach, José Mourinho, has certainly made his choice. On Saturday, the day before the match against Malaga, the Portuguese asserted that his forward deserved to be crowned the world's best player this season after becoming the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup (22 goals).

According to Opta statistics, only Harry Kane (62 goals) has scored more than the 2018 World Cup winner since the start of the season. In La Liga, the Frenchman has scored against 22 out of the 23 teams he has faced. The only club that has managed to keep him scoreless is Elche, whom Real Madrid will play on Tuesday, September 15.