Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres has taken the lead in this season’s European Golden Boot race after scoring 39 goals for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal’s Primeira Liga. The 25-year-old forward currently tops the standings with 58.5 points under the competition’s unique scoring system, just ahead of Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé (58 points), who has one final game to overtake him.
Gyökeres’ remarkable tally – achieved in just 32 league appearances – benefits from the competition’s coefficient system that awards 1.5 points per goal in Portugal’s top division, compared to 2 points per goal in Europe’s “big five” leagues. His consistent scoring has put him in position to become the first non-top-five league winner since Lazio’s Ciro Immobile in 2017-18.
Golden Boot Standings (Top 5)
🥇 Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 39 goals (58.5 pts) Season complete
🥈 Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 29 goals (58 pts) 1 game remaining
🥉 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 28 goals (56 pts)
4️⃣ Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 26 goals (52 pts)
5️⃣ Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 25 goals (50 pts)
The Deciding Factors
✔ Final Showdown: Mbappé can clinch title with goal vs Real Sociedad (May 25)
✔ Scoring System:
Top 5 leagues: Goals × 2 (Max 40×2 = 80 pts)
Next 30 leagues: Goals × 1.5 (Max 40×1.5 = 60 pts)
✔ Gyökeres’ Season: 39G in 32 games (1.22 goals per match)
Why This Race Matters
► Tests fairness of coefficient system for smaller leagues
► Showcases Gyökeres’ meteoric rise (€1m→€100m value in 3 years)
► Could deny Mbappé perfect Madrid sendoff
