MADRID — The 2026/27 season has barely begun and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is already on top of La Liga’s goalscoring charts ahead of the visit of promoted side Malaga on Sunday.

The French forward hit a hat-trick as Jose Mourinho’s team steamrollered Real Sociedad on Wednesday, securing a second league win from two matches this season.

Mbappe, who won the league’s top scorer trophy in both of his two prior seasons at the club, will be licking his lips ready for more with Malaga visiting the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, despite his superbly taken treble, Mourinho said goals are not enough for the forward, who he described as “incredible”.

“I prefer 40 (goals) with titles than 60 without titles,” Mourinho told reporters.

“I prefer 40 with a lot of work for the team than 60 just playing for himself, as often happens with forwards.”

That was not a criticism of Mbappe this season but instead an encouragement for the Frenchman to maintain the level he has shown so far in terms of work-rate.

“I’m very happy with him,” continued Mourinho. “From a technical standpoint, there’s obviously nothing to say, but in terms of helping the group grow, taking responsibility, working...

“He arrived two days early, and two days early in that pre-season period can mean something positive.”

Getting more out of Mbappe, beyond the slew of goals he is guaranteed to provide, may be the key to unlocking a team which boasts great quality and potential but has failed to win a major trophy in the last two seasons.