Serie A will crown a new Capocannoniere award winner this season as last year’s top scorer, Mateo Retegui, swapped Atalanta for Saudi Arabia in the summer. The Italian striker, who scored 25 league goals in the 2024/25 campaign, joined Al-Qadsiah in a mega-money transfer.
Despite Retegui’s unexpected exit, Serie A still boasts an impressive array of attacking talent capable of lighting up the scoring charts once again. Some of them, like Christian Pulisic, have already hit the ground running. However, the Milan talisman faces stern competition to win the prize for the first time.
Unlike last year, the Golden Boot race could go down to the wire in the 2025/26 season. This enthralling race could go down to the wire, with analysts at eSportsInsider.com noting Serie A’s renewed attacking competitiveness. If Italian football has taught us anything, it’s that pre-season predictions often crumble once the season truly kicks into gear.
Inter’s standout duo, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, are among the top candidates to claim the award this season. Meanwhile, new Napoli ace Rasmus Hojlund got his career at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona off to a flying start, announcing an early candidacy for the prize.
Yet, surprises are very much possible. Without further ado, let’s look at the five dark horses to succeed Retegui on the throne.
#5 Riccardo Orsolini
Though this pick may appear a bit optimistic, Riccardo Orsolini deserves the benefit of the doubt. Indeed, the Bologna talisman has scored 17 Serie A goals in 2025, more than any other player since the turn of the year. Moreover, the left-footed winger has already bagged a joint-high four goals this season.
With Santiago Castro and Thijs Dallinga not known for scoring prowess, Orsolini is likely to remain Bologna’s primary attacking threat this season. Not even the return of former winner Ciro Immobile to Italian football may derail the 28-year-old’s season. However, Vincenzo Italiano’s ‘diagonal’ style could throw a spanner in the works.
#4 Taty Castellanos
Lazio might be open to selling Taty Castellanos in the January transfer window, but the Argentine goal-getter remains their most potent attacking threat. Last season, Castellanos scored just ten goals in 29 league games. However, he has already netted twice in the opening six matches this term.
There’s no doubt that he will be in contention for the award if he stays at the Stadio Olimpico beyond the winter. Still, he must overcome his differences with Maurizio Sarri.
#3 Artem Dovbyk
Artem Dovbyk won the Golden Boot in the 2023/24 La Liga season before completing his big-money move to Roma last summer. However, the Ukrainian striker stuttered in his first season in Serie A, bagging just 12 goals in 32 appearances.
The arrival of Gian Piero Gasperini could unlock Dovbyk’s scoring potential. If there’s a coach capable of maximizing his strengths, it’s Gasperini, whose attacking system could see Dovbyk flourish in front of goal. Despite a slow start, the ex-Girona star can still make up ground in the Capocannoniere race.
#2 Kamaldeen Sulemana
Gasperini’s exit is a game-changer for Atalanta, raising questions over La Dea’s ability to maintain their trademark attacking-minded football under the new boss, Ivan Juric. Regardless of pre-season fears, Juric’s men have been prolific in front of goal in the opening six rounds, with Kamaldeen Sulemana emerging as the team’s new driving force in the final third.
The Ghanaian forward has racked up two goals and one assist already, suggesting he could become the first-ever African player to win the Paolo Rossi award.
#1 Dusan Vlahovic
Despite nearly leaving Juventus in the summer, Dusan Vlahovic enjoyed an impressive start to the season. The Serbian center-forward netted twice in the opening two league outings, even though he had to settle for playing second fiddle to marquee summer signing Jonathan David.
With the Canadian superstar struggling to adapt to Serie A, Vlahovic could get more minutes than initially expected in what promises to be his final season in Turin. There’s no shortage of motivation as the 25-year-old aims to impress potential suitors ahead of an inevitable summer transfer.