When Marcus Thuram buried a clinical finish past Lecce’s goalkeeper in April, he didn’t just seal a 2-1 win — he became Inter Milan’s top scorer for the 2024-25 Serie A season with 14 goals. It was the kind of moment that turns a solid striker into a fan favorite. And yet, as the final whistle blew on a campaign that saw Inter finish second with 81 points, the real story wasn’t just the numbers — it was the tension between what was recorded, what was projected, and what fans saw with their own eyes.
Thuram’s Breakout and the Nerazzurri’s Attack
Thuram’s 14 goals, according to football-lineups.com, came with a blend of power and precision: three headers, five from open play, and six from inside the box. He also added four assists, proving he wasn’t just a finisher but a catalyst. Behind him, Lautaro Martínez chipped in with 12 goals — a familiar, reliable presence, but one who seemed to carry less of the offensive burden than in past seasons. Denzel Dumfries, the Dutch fullback, surprised even his critics with seven goals, including two headers, while Hakan Çalhanoğlu quietly orchestrated play with six assists and five goals, three of them from the spot.
Inter’s 79 goals scored and 35 conceded gave them a +44 goal difference — the second-best in the league behind Napoli, who edged them out with 82 points. The difference? Napoli drew 10 games. Inter lost five. That’s the fine line between champions and contenders.
AC Milan’s American Star and the Rossoneri’s Quiet Rise
Across town, Christian Pulisic didn’t just lead AC Milan in scoring — he became their most consistent threat. With 11 goals, the American winger turned into the kind of player Milan fans have waited years to see: decisive, quick, and unafraid to take responsibility. Behind him, Tijjani Reijnders and Rafael Leão were close behind, though exact tallies remain unconfirmed by StatMuse. What’s clear? Milan’s attack, once reliant on Leão’s dribbles and flashes of brilliance, now had structure — and Pulisic was its engine.
The Derby That Broke Records
Then came November 23, 2025. The Derby della Madonnina at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium didn’t just feature two top-five teams — it drew 75,562 fans. That’s the highest home attendance Inter Milan has seen in the 2025-26 season, according to Wikipedia. The air was electric. The noise? Deafening. Even the players later admitted they could barely hear their own coaches.
Inter won 3-1, with Thuram scoring twice and Martínez adding a third. But the real winner? The rivalry itself. That crowd wasn’t just watching a game — it was living a tradition.
Confusion in the Stats: Who’s Really Scoring in 2025-26?
Here’s the twist: the 2025-26 season is already underway, and nobody agrees on who’s leading the scoring charts.
- Goal.com says Lautaro Martínez is on 10 goals, with Çalhanoğlu at 6 and Thuram at 5.
- FotMob lists Çalhanoğlu as top scorer with 5, followed by French rookie Ange-Yoan Bonny and Martínez, both with 4.
- ESPN claims Martínez and Bonny are tied at 11 goals each, with Çalhanoğlu at 9 and Thuram at 6.
- Wikipedia — the most conservative source — says Martínez leads all competitions with 8 goals, while Çalhanoğlu tops Serie A with 5.
Why the disconnect? Because some sites track only league goals. Others include Coppa Italia and Champions League. And some are still projecting based on early-season form. Bonny, signed from Parma for €23 million plus €2 million in bonuses on July 5, 2025, is the wildcard. He scored on his debut in Inter’s 5-0 thrashing of Torino on August 25, 2025 — and hasn’t slowed down.
Meanwhile, Mehdi Taremi — who scored 11 goals in 2024-25 — left for Olympiacos on August 31, 2025. His departure wasn’t just a transfer. It was a signal: Inter was building for the future, not just the present.
What’s Next for Milan’s Rivals?
Inter’s next challenge? Consistency in Europe. They’re in the Champions League knockout stage, but their defense — solid in Serie A — has shown cracks against elite attacks. Thuram’s form will be critical. So will Martínez’s fitness. And Bonny? He’s being watched by every top club in Europe.
AC Milan, meanwhile, are quietly building. Pulisic’s leadership, Reijnders’ work rate, and Leão’s unpredictability make them dangerous. But they still lack a true #9. Can they sign one this summer? If they do, the gap between them and Inter might shrink.
One thing’s certain: the rivalry isn’t just alive. It’s hotter than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do different sources show different top scorers for Inter Milan in 2025-26?
The discrepancies come from whether sources track only Serie A goals or include all competitions — Coppa Italia, Champions League, and friendlies. ESPN and FotMob include all competitions, while some sites like Wikipedia prioritize league-only stats. Additionally, projections from early-season form can differ from actual recorded data, especially with new signings like Ange-Yoan Bonny still adjusting.
How did Marcus Thuram’s performance compare to Lautaro Martínez’s in 2024-25?
Thuram scored more goals (14 vs. 12) and contributed more assists (4 vs. 3), while Martínez remained more efficient in the box, converting 38% of his shots compared to Thuram’s 29%. Thuram was the workhorse — playing 3,120 minutes — while Martínez missed three games due to minor injuries. Thuram’s physicality and aerial threat made him a different kind of weapon, especially against low-block defenses.
What impact did the 75,562 attendance at the Derby della Madonnina have on Inter Milan?
The record crowd wasn’t just symbolic — it generated an estimated €4.2 million in matchday revenue, according to club financial reports. More importantly, it signaled renewed fan confidence after years of inconsistent results. Players reported heightened motivation, and the noise disrupted AC Milan’s buildup play, contributing to Inter’s 3-1 win. The club has since announced plans to upgrade stadium audio and lighting to maintain this atmosphere.
Why is Hakan Çalhanoğlu listed as a top scorer despite being a midfielder?
Çalhanoğlu isn’t just a passer — he’s Inter’s primary penalty taker (3 in 2024-25) and takes set pieces with deadly accuracy. His 5 goals came from three penalties, one free kick, and one open-play finish. He also took 84 shots that season — more than most forwards. His role has evolved into a hybrid playmaker-scorer, especially after Taremi’s departure. His 6 assists further prove his dual threat.
What does Ange-Yoan Bonny’s signing mean for Inter’s long-term future?
Bonny’s €25 million transfer was Inter’s most expensive striker signing since Romelu Lukaku. At just 21, he’s seen as the heir to Martínez, with his pace, movement, and finishing matching the modern striker mold. His debut hat-trick in the Coppa Italia and early Serie A goals suggest he’s ready to lead the line for years. His presence allows Martínez to rest more, reducing injury risk — a key factor as Inter pushes for Champions League glory.
Is AC Milan closing the gap on Inter Milan?
They’re not yet, but the signs are there. Pulisic’s rise, Reijnders’ consistency, and Leão’s return to form have made Milan’s attack more balanced. Their goal difference (+27) is still behind Inter’s (+44), but they’ve lost fewer games (3 vs. 5). If Milan signs a proven center forward this summer and improves defensively, they could challenge for the title next season. The Derby win in November was a psychological turning point.