Meet Mbappés Main Rival…

Meet Vedat Muriqi, a name that resonates with “Pichichi,” the accolade awarded each season to LaLiga’s top goal scorer.

At 31 years old, this striker has now claimed the title of Mallorca‘s all-time leading scorer in LaLiga, surpassing the legendary Samuel Eto’o, who is often hailed as the greatest African footballer ever. The 6-foot-4, 204-pound forward from Kosovo is now on the trail of Kylian Mbappé in the Spanish scoring race, proudly becoming the first Kosovan to be a notable contender for the top scorer title among Europe’s five major leagues.

The FIFA World Cup champion and star forward for Real Madrid, Mbappé, currently leads Muriqi by just two goals (23-21). Muriqi notably took the winning goal against Los Blancos when Mallorca triumphed 2-1 at Son Moix last week, solidifying his status as the top scorer in LaLiga since the beginning of January with 12 goals. Muriqi’s journey since joining Mallorca from Lazio has been marked by fierce determination as he fights against relegation with a team of average players, while Mbappé enjoys the luxury of playing with a squad full of superstars.

Muriqi’s impressive achievements raise an essential question: what does this say about him?

This striking figure, often seen with a ponytail and a gap-toothed smile, celebrates each goal by covering one eye with his hand, channeling the spirit of a pirate. With his pirate persona, he sails around Mallorca in a boat adorned with a skull-and-crossbones flag, sharing his team’s victories on social media.

But he wasn’t always a pirate. This playful image sprang from his genuine sense of humor, which belies the fierce competitor he becomes on the pitch. His rise began at Fenerbahce, during his breakthrough moments.

During a pivotal first big match, after scoring, a journalist mentioned a humorous Instagram post from his wife, which went viral after she jokingly stated, ‘Raw meat!’ as the secret to his strength. The fans started calling him “Cannibal,” a nickname that followed him into Lazio until a sporting director suggested he looked more like a pirate. He embraced the new identity at Mallorca, adopting his eyepatch celebration.

“Scoring is my duty, but bringing some flair to it is part of the showbiz,” Muriqi explained. “Here in Mallorca, they really appreciate it.”

While he reigns as king of the island, Muriqi remains humble.

“I know I lack technical finesse and speed, so I rely on my strength,” he admitted. “I focus on holding the ball and supporting my teammates, constantly striving to maximize my potential.”

Muriqi’s good-natured mood shines through even when reflecting on a 2022 radio interview where his then-manager called him ‘ugly.’ His consistent response is, “I know, I’m not handsome… but I still think I’m somewhat attractive!” And when asked if his wife agrees with the public’s perception of him, he can’t help but laugh, saying, “She doesn’t see too well!”

Muriqi balances his humor with an immense capacity for emotion. Just days ago, amidst his brilliant performance—during which Mallorca fans chanted for his potential Ballon d’Or coronation—he was seen celebrating joyfully, contrasting sharply with a week earlier when he was brought to tears, both in pain and relief.

Football is a game of extremes, where one moment you can face harsh criticism and the next be basked in joy.

His latest challenges included a missed penalty that could have secured a crucial draw for Mallorca against fellow relegation candidate Elche and subsequent heartbreak in a World Cup playoff loss to Türkiye. Amidst unfounded rumors questioning his loyalty due to his Turkish citizenship, Muriqi publicly expressed his disappointment and pride for Kosovo.

The emotional rollercoaster culminated in the thrilling victory over Real Madrid, where he scored the winning goal just moments after they equalized. Overwhelmed with emotion, he stated, “I know I’m rugged and not particularly attractive, but I have my dreams, and it’s painful to go through these struggles. Those tears after the win were for that reason.”

Expressing his commitment to Mallorca, Muriqi stated, “Every goal is a promise to this club. While it’s an honor to surpass a legend like Eto’o, achievements are never achieved alone. Thank you to my teammates and supporters; my success is impossible without you.”

For the Mallorca squad, Muriqi is crucial for their fight to remain in LaLiga. Currently, they need to bridge an 8-point gap to reach the safety line of 42 points. As Captain Muriqi leads them toward that goal, expect flags flying high—perhaps not LaLiga’s, but the Jolly Roger in honor of “El Pirata.” I challenge you not to give a salute.