If there’s a player who’s quietly but rapidly stealing the spotlight, it’s Julian Alvarez. When the season began, few would have dared to bet on the Atletico Madrid striker to challenge Mbappe’s supremacy.
Before the opening kick of La Liga 2025/26, Alvarez wasn’t even considered Atletico’s best shot at the top scorer race — that honour went to Alexander Sorloth. But eight matchdays later, the tables have turned.
With six goals to his name, including a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano and a brace in the Madrid derby, the Argentine has stormed up the scoring charts. Suddenly, Mbappe’s crown doesn’t look as secure as it did a month ago.