Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid superstar wins the Pichichi trophy; matches Cristiano Ronaldo’s milestone
Real Madrid capped off their disappointing 2025/26 season with a 4-2 win over Athletic Club, a game that was largely about the farewell of Dani Carvajal.
In addition to Carvajal, David Alaba marked his farewell, too, in what was a rather emotional evening for Real Madrid fans overall.
For Kylian Mbappe, it was a special night as well, but for a different reason, as he secured the Pichichi trophy on the night, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s milestone in the process.
Pichichi trophy for Mbappe
The French forward finished the campaign with 25 goals, edging out Vedat Muriqi of Mallorca, who ended on 23.
Ante Budimir of Osasuna was third on 17. Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal both finished on 16.
Apart from goals, Mbappe led La Liga in shots with 63, comfortably ahead of Muriqi on 50 and Vinicius Jr. on 46.
Mbappe matches Ronaldo’s milestone
The Pichichi this season also meant Mbappe is the first player to win the Pichichi in back-to-back seasons since Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mbappe won the award last season with 31 goals and has now followed it up with 25 this campaign, becoming only the latest player to etch his name alongside Ronaldo in the record books.
For a player whose season has been surrounded by controversy and criticism, the back-to-back Pichichi is a reminder of what he is capable of.
The coming season, therefore, will be interesting as Jose Mourinho gets his hands on Mbappe. How well the Portuguese tactician manages both Mbappe and Vinicius could go a long way in dictating Real Madrid’s success.
Real Madrid News
Two Real Madrid stars train at club facilities on day off after beating Inter Milan
According to reports on El Chiringuito TV (h/t Bernabeu Digital), two Real Madrid stars, Yan Diomande and Brahim Diaz, trained at the club’s Valdebebas facilities today despite the players being given the day off by manager Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid were in action late on Tuesday night as they defeated Inter Milan 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu in their first UEFA Champions League match of the season.
Following that, Mourinho decided to give his players a rest day before starting preparations for the weekend La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano.
Despite that, both Diomande and Diaz, who compete for the right-wing spot in the team, showed up at the club facilities and trained by themselves.
Diomande yet to get going
Diomande has not made the ideal start to life at Real Madrid. As the most expensive signing in the club’s history, the €140 million price tag inevitably brings enormous expectations, even if that pressure is arguably unfair on such a young player.
Mourinho has deliberately avoided throwing the Ivorian straight into the spotlight, instead introducing him gradually and giving him minutes from the bench.
However, the patience surrounding his adaptation is beginning to be tested as supporters expect more from a player who cost such a huge fee.
Aware that his first performances in white have not been his best, Diomande travelled to Valdebebas on Wednesday morning to train, despite Mourinho giving the entire squad a day off.
Brahim also gives up his day off
Diomande was not the only Madrid player to make that decision. Brahim Diaz also reported to the Ciudad Real Madrid, choosing to train individually despite being given the day off after the Champions League victory over Inter Milan.
The Moroccan attacker started against Inter and played until the 80th minute, producing an impressive performance on both sides of the ball.
Neither Brahim nor Diomande currently has a guaranteed starting role, but both are responding to Mourinho’s demands by putting in additional work.
For Real Madrid, those gestures are an encouraging sign. The Merengues are seeing a squad that appears increasingly disciplined and committed, while the extra effort from players competing for places can help create a healthy level of competition.
It is also precisely the type of attitude Mourinho values. For Diomande in particular, the extra session represents an opportunity to work away from the spotlight and begin closing the gap between his current performances and the very high expectations that came with his record transfer.
