Folarin Balogun scores hat-trick to become Ligue 1 top scorer ahead of Mbappe

Folarin Balogun has been lighting up Ligue 1 since he joined Reims on loan, and he is currently the top scorer with 14 goals. Kylian Mbappe has scored 13 goals so far this season, and is second in the race for the top scorer award. 

The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick in Reims’ 4-2 win against Lorient. And in doing so, he became the leading goalscorer in the French top flight. 

Folarin Balogun becomes Ligue 1 top scorer with hat-trick 

The youngster has a contract with Arsenal until 2025, and was loaned out to Middlesbrough previously. He failed to make a consistent impact with them and was sent to Reims this past summer. 

Things have worked out very well for him, and he is following in the footsteps of William Saliba, who also made a huge impact in France before going back upon the completion of his loan spell. 

And since it is a temporary move, he will be returning to the club in the summer. 

“Arsenal is my family. For me, the club represents brotherhood and unity,” Folarin Balogun explained. “There, I learned always to push my limits. I remember from training the permanent desire to progress on a technical level.

“I think by the time I go back I’ll be in a better place to compete than I was before I left. I realised there were certain things I would struggle with, but I think that’s a good thing. It helps you to manage stuff you’re uncomfortable with which is important.”