Yamal and Mbappé fail to take advantage of Raphinha’s absence

Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé did not make the most of Raphinha’s absence to cut the gap at the top of La Liga’s scoring chart. The Brazilian missed FC Barcelona’s match against Getafe after returning injured from duty with Brazil’s national team, but remains in first place with 12 goals.

The eighth round offered his pursuers an opportunity to move closer. But Yamal, an FC Barcelona star, and Mbappé, a Real Madrid forward, did not score. Both remain on 7 goals, 5 fewer than Raphinha, and made no progress in the race to be the competition’s top scorer during that round.

The prize at stake is the Pichichi, awarded to La Liga’s leading scorer. Despite being sidelined through injury, Raphinha remains alone at the top, with what is described as a comfortable lead after eight rounds. His main challengers therefore failed to seize their chance to catch him.

The race remains open as the season continues. Yamal and Mbappé will have the coming rounds to try to close the gap, while Raphinha currently holds on to first place.