It has not been a good season, collectively, for Kylian Mbappe. Real Madrid have lost LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Champions League. To make matters worse, Vedat Muriqi threatens his status as the league’s top scorer. He has 23 goals, compared to the 21 of the Mallorca No.9.
Even his personal records are in danger. Folarin Balogun (New York City, 2001) can boast of being, along with the Real Madrid player, the only player to have scored in eight consecutive games this season in the major leagues. A record that the Monaco No. 9 will surpass if he scores against Toulouse
It's curious. The former Arsenal youth player, signed for 30 million in 2023, already put Mbappe's 'Pichichi' status in jeopardy in 2022-23. Balogun, at the time, playing for Reims, finished Ligue 1 with 21 goals. Mbappe, finally, finished with 29
In the Principality he never really got going, mainly because of injuries. He scored eight goals in 2023-24 and finished 2024-25 with four goals. This season, until the beginning of November, he had one less: three.
The arrival of Sebastien Pocognoli in mid-October -he replaced Adi Hütter- marked his take-off: 17 of the 18 goals he has scored this season (12 in the league) have come with the former Union Saint-Gilloise coach at the helm.
"He improved playing with his back to goal, he improved his passing, he improved his finishing… But he still wants to improve and is receptive," Pocognoli said. "He is a player who learns and is open to suggestions."
He has improved playing with his back to goal, he has improved his passing, he has improved his finishing… But he still wants to improve and is receptive
Folarin Balogun
"It is more effective and we are giving him good passes. We are making the most of his qualities, the long balls, into space, suit him very well," claims his teammate Jordan Teze."I feel freer and with more responsibility. Pocognoli is an exceptional coach, he gives us a lot of ideas, creativity and freedom. He is also very demanding,” says Balogun, who has the record for consecutive goals in Ligue 1 in his sights. The record is held by Brazilian Sonny Anderson. The former Barcelona and Villarreal player scored in 11 consecutive matches for Lyon in 2001.
