Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has commended Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham for his impressive start to the season but issued a warning that he is determined to increase his goal tally in the race for the Pichichi Trophy.
Bellingham has garnered global acclaim since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, netting 13 goals and providing three assists in his 14 appearances for Los Blancos. Several of the 20-year-old’s goals have come in crucial moments, securing victories for Real Madrid, including a pivotal strike in their 2-1 win over Barcelona in El Clasico last month.
Of Bellingham’s 10 La Liga goals for Real Madrid, he currently tops the scoring charts, with his closest competitors being Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid and Gerard Moreno of Villarreal, both with eight goals each.
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In the previous 2022/23 season with Barcelona, Lewandowski clinched the Pichichi Trophy by scoring a league-high 23 goals. Despite his commendable start to the current term with seven goals, he acknowledges the challenge presented by Bellingham. When asked by MARCA about the competition for the Pichichi award, Lewandowski stated, “The season is long. He [Bellingham] is a very good player. Scoring many goals in La Liga is not easy now due to defensive and physical styles of many teams. However, at Barca, we aim not only to win but also to score numerous goals.”
ewandowski added his success “hasn’t stopped my hunger to achieve more” but despite his assertions, Barcelona (26) have scored only the fourth-most goals in La Liga so far this season, with Real Madrid (28), Atletico Madrid (29) and Girona (31) all finding the net more frequently.
Barcelona also have ground to make up if they are to retain their La Liga title, heading into the November international break third in the table – two points adrift of Real Madrid and four behind Girona.
Barca return to action on Saturday with a trip to Rayo Vallecano, while Real Madrid visit Cadiz on Sunday.