La Liga Top Scorers 2025-26: Pichichi Trophy Race
The Pichichi Trophy is awarded to La Liga's top scorer each season. It's one of the most prestigious individual awards in Spanish football, and this season's race is a battle between two legends and a rising star.
The top scorers
1. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) — 21 goals
Lewandowski is 37 years old and showing no signs of slowing down. Under Flick's high-pressing system, he's thriving — the team creates so many chances that Lewandowski barely has to move to score. His positioning is the best in the world, and his finishing is clinical. He's on pace for 28-30 goals, which would be his best La Liga season.
2. Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid) — 18 goals
Vinícius has evolved from a raw, exciting winger into a complete forward. He's added consistency to his game — he no longer has quiet patches where he disappears for weeks. His dribbling is still his best weapon, but his finishing has improved dramatically. He's a genuine Ballon d'Or contender.
3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) — 14 goals
Yamal is 18 years old and already the third-highest scorer in La Liga. That's absurd. His ability to cut inside from the right wing and shoot with his left foot is almost unstoppable. He's scored some spectacular goals this season — long-range strikes, solo runs, and clinical finishes. He's the future of football.
4. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) — 13 goals
Griezmann is having a renaissance under Simeone. He's playing as a second striker behind Álvaro Morata, and the partnership is working beautifully. Griezmann's movement and intelligence create space for everyone around him.
5. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) — 12 goals
Bellingham's goal-scoring from midfield is remarkable. He times his runs into the box perfectly, and his heading ability is underrated. He's not a traditional midfielder — he's more of a box-to-box goalscorer, and he's one of the most valuable players in the world.
Who will win the Pichichi?
Lewandowski is the favorite. He's 3 goals clear with 10 games to play, and Barcelona's attacking system creates more chances than any other team in the league. Vinícius is the only realistic challenger — he'd need a hot streak and Lewandowski to cool off.
The Pichichi record for a single season is 50 goals, set by Lionel Messi in 2011-12. That record is safe — nobody is getting close to 50 in the modern game. But Lewandowski's 21 goals in 28 games is an excellent return, and he could finish with 28-30.
Historical context
The Pichichi Trophy has been dominated by Messi and Ronaldo for the past two decades. Messi won it 8 times; Ronaldo won it 3 times. Since both left La Liga, the award has been more competitive — Lewandowski, Benzema, and Vinícius have all won it in recent years.
The fact that Lewandowski is still competing for the Pichichi at 37 is a testament to his professionalism and his ability to adapt. He's not the same player he was at Bayern — he doesn't press as much, and he doesn't drop deep as often. But in the box, he's still one of the most lethal finishers in the world.