Kylian Mbappé Clinches LaLiga Golden Boot as Dani Carvajal Gets Emotional Bernabéu Farewell in Real Madrid’s 4-2 Win Over Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid brought the curtain down on their domestic season in emphatic fashion, defeating Athletic Bilbao 4-2 at the Bernabéu on May 23, 2026, in a match that carried significant personal milestones even as the title race had long since been decided in Barcelona’s favour.

Kylian Mbappé was the central figure in the day’s individual storylines, netting his 25th LaLiga goal of the season to claim the 2025-26 Golden Boot. The French forward’s strike came in the 51st minute and put the result beyond doubt, adding another individual honour to what has been a productive debut campaign in Spanish football following his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain.

The afternoon had begun with Dani Carvajal, making his 451st appearance for the club, demonstrating that his influence remained integral even at this stage of his career. The club captain provided a pinpoint cross for Gonzalo García, who opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Jude Bellingham then doubled Real Madrid’s advantage before the break, heading into half-time with a commanding lead.

Athletic Bilbao reduced the deficit through Gorka Guruzeta just before the interval, in the 45th minute, before Mbappé’s Golden Boot-clinching effort restored Real Madrid’s two-goal cushion shortly after the restart. Brahim Díaz completed the scoring for the hosts with a late fourth in the 89th minute, with Urko Izeta adding a consolation for the visitors in stoppage time to make it 4-2 at full time.

Despite the convincing scoreline, the result had no bearing on the final standings. Real Madrid finished the 2025-26 LaLiga season eight points behind champions Barcelona, a gap that will prompt significant reflection ahead of what promises to be a transitional summer at the club. José Mourinho is set to take charge as manager, marking one of the most anticipated managerial appointments in recent Spanish football history.

The occasion carried an additional layer of emotion as Carvajal, who has been a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s defensive setup across multiple Champions League and LaLiga title-winning campaigns, received a heartfelt send-off from the Bernabéu faithful. The right-back’s 451 appearances represent a career of sustained excellence at the highest level, and his farewell marked the end of a significant era for the club.

The match also saw Athletic Bilbao, who had their own season to reflect on, contribute to an entertaining finale despite the defeat. Guruzeta and Izeta both found the net for the Basque side, though it was not enough to salvage a result on the road.

For Mbappé, the Golden Boot arrival underlines a successful first season in LaLiga, even as Real Madrid’s title challenge ultimately fell short against a dominant Barcelona side. The 25-goal tally will be seen as a foundation on which to build under Mourinho’s management next season. Separately, according to reports, Mbappé sent a message to teammate David Alaba describing the period as “a difficult moment”, suggesting ongoing concern within the squad over the Austrian defender’s fitness situation.