African icon Samuel Eto'o played for Mallorca from the beginning of 2000 until the summer of 2004. 54 of the Cameroonian's 162 goals in La Liga came for Mallorca. Until Sunday, this was the highest goal tally by a player from the Spanish island club in the country's top flight.
But now Vedat Muriqi is Mallorca's top scorer in La Liga. The Kosovar has 55 goals, one more than Eto'o. And that number is expected to grow. He has looked unstoppable this season.
Muriqi scored two goals against Rayo Vallecano to reach the record figure.
"The Cameroonian's face is displayed in an outdoor area of the Son Moix stadium. The club can now start thinking about what monument it wants to erect in honor of the current striker," wrote "Marca."
Muriqi's work for Mallorca is monumental in fact. But it is clear that in his honor there will also be a monument on the island known for tourism. Eto'o has been honored with a mural.
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"I'm proud of myself and I don't want to stop here," said Muriqi, proving that he is eager for more goals and more history with Mallorca.
The 31-year-old has a contract with Mallorca until 2029. And with current form, it is almost certain that he will continue to be the team's leader on the field. A new contract, with improved terms, is not ruled out.
"Muriqi for the Ballon d'Or," Mallorca fans chanted after the match. "Marca" wrote that Muriqi may not be at the level for the Ballon d'Or, but he is clearly one of the best strikers in Europe.
With 21 goals this season in La Liga, he is only one behind Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who is the third-highest scorer in European football. Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has 23 goals. So only two more than the Prizren player. And the first is Bayern's Harry Kane with 31 goals. While Kane is unattainable, Muriqi can develop a strong competition with Mbappe and Haaland for second place.
Mallorca coach Martin Demichelis expressed his happiness for Muriqi.
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"To see him become the legend that he is, surpassing Eto'o, makes me happy. 55 goals does not reflect his humility. He always puts the team first. That makes the player that he is. After missing the penalty, he took responsibility and after the period with the national team he came back and scored goals. He is an example for all of us," said Demichelis.
"Marca" wrote that Muriqi showed two of his "superpowers" in Sunday's match. He always knows where the ball will go in the area and also has the ability to avoid the defender guarding him at the moment when he should shoot.
Muriqi is already a legend of Mallorca and also of Kosovo. And currently one of the most important names in La Liga.
"'Ballon d'Or' has nothing more to say," stressed Muriqi's teammate, David Lopez, when asked about the striker after the match.
"It's crazy and we're all happy for him. We hope he doesn't stop until the end of the season," said fellow Mallorca player Jan Virgil.
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