Napoli defied the odds last term to beat reigning Serie A title holders Inter to the Scudetto. However, Mateo Retegui’s incredible season at Atalanta was nothing short of headline-grabbing.
In his first season at Bergamo, Mateo Retegui netted 25 league goals en route to a coveted Capocannoniere award. The Italian center-forward’s sterling goalscoring exploits earned him a €65 million transfer to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Qadsiah earlier this month.
With the 26-year-old goal-getter out of the picture, Serie A will crown a new Golden Boot winner in the 2025/26 season. The task of finding the five likeliest candidates to claim the award is arduous, made even more so for those who steer clear of no KYC betting sites and prefer to follow the league purely on merit.
There’s still time left until the end of August. Therefore, the arrival of a world-class marksman could change the current dynamics. However, we’ve made the list of the five players we believe will fight for the prize next term.
#5 Jonathan David
Signed by Juventus on a Bosman deal after running down his contract at Lille, Jonathan David braces up for his maiden season in Serie A. The 25-year-old will soak up the limelight as Bianconeri’s leading goalscoring threat after the club decided to sever ties with Dusan Vlahovic.
David comes off another impressive season in Ligue 1. Indeed, the Canadian superstar bagged 16 league goals for Les Dogues during his third-lowest scoring season since joining Lille from Gent in 2020. However, his consistency in France was remarkable.
While David’s scoring credentials require no introduction, the question remains – will Juventus’ conservative approach provide him with enough creative support to maximize his impact in Serie A?
#4 Artem Dovbyk
When Roma splashed out €38 million to sign Artem Dovbyk from Girona last summer, expectations were sky-high. Yet, the Ukrainian center-forward had a troubled first year in Serie A, amassing just 12 goals after being crowned the top scorer in La Liga a season before.
Perhaps the appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as the new head coach will provide the tactical framework and confidence Dovbyk needs to reach the promised heights. Having the whole team working for him could be the catalyst to re-establish the 28-year-old as one of Europe’s most feared forwards.
#3 Rafael Leao
Last season was a disaster for Milan as they finished eighth for the first time in a decade. Part of the blame fell on poor relationships between influential first-team figures, such as Rafael Leao, and Portuguese coaches Sergio Conceicao and Paulo Fonseca.
Now that Massimiliano Allegri is back at the helm, Leao could be in for a transformative year. One of the most sought-after wingers in European football is keen to atone for past mistakes and rebuild his bond with the San Siro faithful.
Although he has never been famous for record-breaking numbers, Allegri’s new system could transform him into a scoring machine, especially with Milan lacking a top-class striker.
#2 Romelu Lukaku
Despite winning another Scudetto in his maiden season at Napoli, Romelu Lukaku wasn’t as efficient as in his past two stints at Inter. The Belgian ace hauled 14 league goals, as Antonio Conte’s side heavily relied on Scott McTominay’s talismanic presence in the final third.
However, with Kevin De Bruyne arriving in town, Lukaku’s fortunes could turn around. The two know each other well from Belgium’s national team, and their established chemistry could unlock new attacking possibilities for the Partenopei.
It’s reasonable to expect Lukaku’s figures to go up in 2025/26.
#1 Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez’s underwhelming form contributed to Inter’s failed title defense. El Toro performed well below his high standard, scoring just 12 goals in 31 appearances, while a lack of match fitness further derailed his effectiveness throughout the campaign.
However, it’s impossible to imagine the Argentine star going back-to-back seasons in such vein. After all, Lautaro is the 2023/25 Capocannoniere winner. With Inter likely to return to the new league campaign with vengeance, Lautaro will be eager to reclaim his throne.
Few would dare to doubt his ability to bounce back.
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