In the end, Viktor Gyokeres’ incredible 39-goal total in the Portuguese league was barely short of winning the 2025 European Golden Boot in a close match. In the 38th minute of Real Madrid’s match against Real Sociedad, the Sporting striker’s hopes were crushed when his fierce competitor, Kylian Mbappe, scored a vital goal after Unai Marrero saved a penalty kick. When the Frenchman scored, the Bernabeu was ablaze with delight as the Merengues supporters went into a frenzy.

Only a week prior, Gyokeres had completed his incredible season by scoring the game-winning goal in Sporting’s 2-0 victory over Vitoria, which secured the team’s second straight league title. His remarkable 39 league goals set a record in the Portuguese league that hasn’t been surpassed in more than 20 years.

Gyokeres had to contend with the Golden Boot’s peculiar scoring system, which gives goals varying weights depending on the league, even though he led the scoreboard ahead of his main rivals, Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) and Mo Salah (Liverpool). Each goal scored in the Portuguese league earns 1.5 points, according to UEFA, while the top leagues in Europe—England, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany—accrue 2 points per goal.

 Consequently, Gyokeres’ accomplishments totaled 58.5 points, which were ultimately surpassed by Mbappe’s 30th goal in La Liga, which propelled him to an outstanding 60 points.

Now, all eyes will be on the fierce match between Mbappe and Salah, who now has 28 goals and 56 points. As the battle for the Golden Boot comes to an exciting end, supporters will be glued to their seats for Salah’s matchup against this Sunday at 16:00 in the last round.