All time Top 10: Messi, Ronaldo and other 8 best scorers in La Liga history

The Spanish league, La Liga, has always been a breeding ground for attacking talent. Over the decades, exceptional players have emerged, leaving an indelible mark on football history. From timeless legends like Telmo Zarra and Alfredo Di Stéfano to contemporary stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, these goalscorers have not only rewritten the record books but have also captivated millions of fans around the world.

These footballers stand out for their technical skill, their flair for goal and their ability to shine in decisive moments. Check out our ranking of the top 10 goalscorers in La Liga history.

10. Pahíño

• Goals: 210
• Matches: 278
• Ratio: 0.76

Manuel Fernández Fernández, better known as Pahíño, is a Spanish football legend, particularly renowned for his exploits as a striker. His career, which began at Celta Vigo, saw him play for some of the biggest clubs in Spain, including Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruña. He is most famous for his time at Real Madrid, where he shone with his efficiency in front of goal, becoming one of the highest scorers in the history of La Liga.

Pahíño won the Pichichi Trophy twice, a significant feat that is a testament to his talent and consistency. In 1947–48, he was top scorer with Celta Vigo, and he repeated the feat in 1951–52 with Real Madrid. His impressive goal-scoring ratio and ability to score in crucial moments made him a feared figure for every defence in La Liga.

The Spanish player was known for his powerful strike, his ability to use both feet with ease and his exceptional heading game. During his La Liga career, he scored a total of 211 goals in 278 games, which places him among the top scorers in La Liga history. His career is an inspiration to many young footballers, and his legacy lives on in the world of Spanish football.

9. Quini

• Goals: 219
• Matches: 448
• Ratio: 0.49

Quini, real name Enrique Castro González, is one of the most iconic figures in Spanish football, particularly appreciated for his remarkable goalscoring career. Nicknamed “El Brujo” for his magical skills on the pitch, he played mainly for Sporting Gijón and FC Barcelona, ​​where he left a lasting mark.

During his career, Quini won the Pichichi Trophy five times in La Liga, a feat that places him among the top scorers in La Liga history. His exceptional performances saw him score 219 league goals, making him one of the most prolific strikers of his era. He also won two Pichichi in the Segunda División, a testament to his consistency and talent over several years.

His career at FC Barcelona was marked by significant successes, including two Spanish Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup. Despite a dramatic interruption due to his kidnapping in 1981, Quini returned with a determination to continue scoring and inspiring his teammates. His courage and resilience made him not only a great player but also a model of perseverance.

7. Alfredo Di Stefano

• Goals: 227
• Matches: 329
• Ratio: 0.69

Alfredo Di Stéfano is a true legend of world football, known for his monumental impact at Real Madrid. Nicknamed ‘La Saeta Rubia’ (The Blonde Arrow), Di Stéfano played a pivotal role in the Madrid club’s dominance during the 1950s and 1960s. With an impressive record that included five European Cups and eight Spanish league titles, he scored 216 goals in 282 La Liga games for Real Madrid.

In addition to his club exploits, Di Stéfano also represented three national teams: Argentina, Colombia and Spain, scoring a total of 29 goals in 37 international caps. His versatile style of play and ability to influence all aspects of the game make him one of the greatest players of all time.

Di Stéfano is recognized as one of the best goalscorers in the history of La Liga, thanks to his ability to score in decisive moments and his influence on his team’s play. As a player, he won the Ballon d’Or twice (1957 and 1959) and remains to this day an iconic figure in Spanish and world football.

6. Raul Gonzalez

• Goals: 228
• Matches: 550
• Ratio: 0.41

Raúl González Blanco, better known as Raúl, is an icon of Spanish football and one of the most respected players in Real Madrid’s history. He spent 16 seasons with the Madrid club, scoring 323 goals in 741 official matches, becoming the third highest goalscorer in the club’s history. In La Liga, he scored a total of 228 goals, which places him among the top scorers in La Liga history.

Nicknamed “El Siete” (The Seven), Raúl won six Spanish league titles and three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid. His ability to score decisive goals in big games, particularly in the Champions League, where he scored in two finals, cemented his reputation as a prolific goalscorer and leader on the pitch. He is also the player who has played the most games for the Madrid club.

Raul also had an impressive international career with the Spanish national team, for whom he scored 44 goals in 102 caps. He appeared in three World Cups and two European Championships, becoming the Spanish national team’s top scorer for many years before being overtaken by David Villa.

After leaving Real Madrid, Raul continued to play at a high level with Schalke 04, Al Sadd and New York Cosmos, adding further titles to his list of achievements and demonstrating his talent on several continents.

5. Hugo Sanchez

• Goals: 234
• Matches: 347
• Ratio: 0.67

Hugo Sánchez is one of the most iconic strikers in football history, famous for his exploits at Atlético de Madrid and, above all, Real Madrid. Arriving in Spain in 1981, he first played for Atlético de Madrid before joining Real Madrid in 1985. With Real, he enjoyed a period of unprecedented success, winning five consecutive La Liga titles between 1986 and 1990, a Copa del Rey and a UEFA Cup.

Sánchez scored a total of 208 goals in 282 official matches for Real Madrid. His ability to score spectacular goals, often with acrobatics such as his famous overhead kicks, earned him a place among the club’s legends. He also won the Pichichi Trophy, rewarding the top scorer in La Liga, five times, an achievement that places him among the top scorers in the history of the Spanish league.

Known for his fearsome efficiency in front of goal, Sánchez scored 38 goals in a single La Liga season (1989–90), a record that has stood until the modern era. In addition to his club exploits, he was also a central figure in the Mexican national team, with whom he participated in three World Cups and scored 29 goals in 58 caps.

Hugo Sánchez remains an iconic figure in football thanks to his impressive performances and spectacular style of play, making him one of the greatest strikers of all time.

4. Karim Benzema

• Goals: 238
• Matches: 439
• Ratio: 0.54

Karim Benzema is a French striker who has left an indelible mark on the history of Real Madrid. Arriving at the club in 2009 from Lyon, he quickly showed his talent and efficiency in front of goal. During his 14 seasons with the Madrid club, Benzema scored 354 goals in 648 games, making him the second highest scorer in Real Madrid history.

Benzema has won numerous titles with Real Madrid, including five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey. He was also crowned Ballon d’Or in 2022, rewarding an exceptional season in which he scored 44 goals in all competitions and led his team to victory in the Champions League and La Liga.

His career in La Liga is particularly remarkable, with 238 goals scored, which places him among the top scorers in La Liga history. His role has evolved over the years, from supporting Cristiano Ronaldo to leading the Madrid attack after the latter’s departure. His ability to score crucial goals and create opportunities for his teammates has made him an indispensable player for the club.

Karim Benzema also had an impressive international career with the French national team, scoring 37 goals in 97 caps. He won the Nations League in 2021 with Les Bleus.

3. Telmo Zarra

• Goals: 251
• Matches: 278
• Ratio: 0.90

Telmo Zarra, known for his exploits with Athletic Bilbao, is a true legend of Spanish football. His name is synonymous with goals and records. During his career with the Basque club, he scored an impressive 252 goals in 278 La Liga games, making him one of the highest scorers in La Liga history. This record remained unmatched for 59 years until it was surpassed by Lionel Messi in 2014.

Zarra won the Pichichi Trophy, awarded to the top scorer in La Liga, six times (1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1953), a feat that is a testament to his consistency and exceptional talent in front of goal. He also scored 81 goals in the Copa del Rey, a record that still stands. In 1950, he played a key role for the Spanish national team at the World Cup, scoring the decisive goal against England and helping Spain reach the semi-finals.

His ability to score in crucial moments and his aerodynamic style of play made him a player feared by all the defenses of his era. Telmo Zarra remains an iconic figure in football, and his legacy lives on not only in Bilbao, but throughout Spain.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Goals: 311
• Matches: 292
• Ratio: 1.06

Cristiano Ronaldo, nicknamed “CR7”, has made history at Real Madrid with his exceptional performances. Signed in 2009 for a record fee, he quickly became a key player for the club. During his nine seasons with the Merengues, Ronaldo scored 311 goals in La Liga, becoming one of the top scorers in La Liga history.

With Real Madrid, Ronaldo won two La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, and was crowned La Liga’s top scorer three times. His ability to score crucial goals in decisive moments was exemplified by his 17 goals in the 2013–14 Champions League season, a record for the competition. In total, he scored 450 goals in 438 competitive matches for Real Madrid, a staggering average of more than a goal per game.

Ronaldo has also excelled at international level with Portugal, winning Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League. His exceptional influence and talent continue to make him an iconic figure in world football.

1. Lionel Messi

• Goals: 474
• Matches: 520
• Ratio: 0.91

Lionel Messi, often referred to as “La Pulga”, dominated Spanish football for over a decade with FC Barcelona. During his career with the Catalan club, Messi scored a staggering 474 La Liga goals, a record that places him at the top of the league’s all-time leading scorers.

Messi joined FC Barcelona at the age of 13, quickly rising through the ranks to make his first-team debut at 17. His career at Barça has been marked by numerous titles, including ten La Liga championships, four Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Reys. He is not only the club’s all-time leading scorer, but also La Liga’s, with impressive performances such as his 50 goals in a single La Liga season in 2011–12.

In addition to his club exploits, Messi has also shone on the international stage with the Argentina national team, winning the Copa América in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022. His multiple Ballon d’Ors and goal-scoring records are testament to this, confirming his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

Top 20 best scorers in the history of the Spanish championship