Top 10 La Liga Goalscorers of All Time: Messi, Ronaldo, Di Stefano & More!

In the realm of Spain’s premier league, La Liga, during the 2000s era, dominance was shared between two individuals: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Nevertheless, their partnership was built upon an extensive history that came before them.

Only four of the top 10 scorers in the tournament’s history appeared in the 2000s, with three from earlier than the 1970s, highlighting the deep heritage of the league. Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann requires merely 15 more goals to join this esteemed group; however, currently, the leaderboard remains heavily influenced by eras long gone.

After examining the leading goalscorers from various leagues like the Premier League, we've opted to explore the top 10 scorers throughout La Liga’s extensive history, dating back to 1929. This roster undoubtedly carries a stronger sense of tradition compared to lists from other competitions, such as the Premier League.

10. Pahino – 212

Pahino scored an impressive 212 goals in merely 278 matches, indicating that only four players among the top 20 scorers boast a superior goal-to-match average than this Spanish forward, known for his consistent scoring stints with teams like Celta Vigo, Real Madrid, and Deportico La Coruna.

He was at his peak from 1943 to 1956, during which time he didn't secure any team titles even though he showcased exceptional skill. Nevertheless, he won the prestigious Golden Boot twice. Possessing remarkable abilities with either foot, an innate knack for scoring goals, and a powerful header, Pahino stands as a legendary figure in Spanish football history.

9. Quini – 219

A legendary figure at Sporting Gijón, Quini claimed five Golden Boot awards during his peak years in La Liga, scoring 219 goals across 448 matches from 1968 to 1987. Additionally, he secured two more titles as top scorer in the Second Division, aiding Gijón’s return to the first division twice for his beloved team.

He excelled in major finals, led teams to numerous victories, and accumulated an astounding number of goals during a period when Spanish football wasn’t flourishing internationally. Despite representing Spain in two FIFA World Cup tournaments and earning 35 caps, he only managed to score eight times for his nation. Nonetheless, he retains legendary status in Spanish soccer history.

8. Cesar – 221

Between 1940 and 1960 in Spain, Cesar became a legendary figure at Barcelona due to his remarkable ability to score goals. Of his total 221 strikes for the team, an impressive 190 were scored at the NouCamp stadium. For many years, he held the record as Barcelona’s top scorer in La Liga until Messi eventually broke these records.

He claimed five league championships, secured 13 significant trophies, and earned a single Golden Boot award. During the 1951-52 season, his scoring contributed to winning five honors, and he continues to be regarded as one of Spain’s premier scorers ever.

7. Alfredo Di Stéfano – 227

Among the legendary figures in Madrid’s storied past, Alfredo Di Stéfano netted most of his 227 goals across 329 appearances with Real Madrid. He had a brief stint with Espanyol towards the end of his playing days. It was in Madrid where he solidified his status as one of the era's finest players and among the greatest of the twentieth century, following his receipt of two Ballon d'Or accolades.

A player who claimed the Golden Boot five times, attended the inaugural ceremony of the European Cup in 1955, and subsequently won the following four consecutive tournaments, leaving an indelible mark on the event and becoming one of the most legendary figures in European Cup annals. In each of these five championship matches, he scored, including a hat trick during the 1960 triumph against Eintracht Frankfurt. His overall tally with the team amounted to more than 300 goals.

6. Raul – 228

Regarded as one of the top goal scorers of his generation, Raúl accumulated more than 1000 matches throughout his career and scored over 400 goals for both clubs and national teams—of which an impressive 228 were netted in 550 league fixtures from 1994 to 2010. Additionally, he secured six league championships and established himself as Real Madrid’s most frequently seen player, having taken part in 741 games.

At some stage during his career, he at the same time held the record for being the outright leading goalscorer for Madrid and the Spain national team in addition to setting these objectives the UEFA Champions League In simple terms, he stood out as an iconic figure due to his unwavering consistency, his skill in scoring various kinds of goals regardless of the opponent, and his impressive list of accolades that matched his statistical achievements.

READ : 5 iconic footballers who were never transferred for a fee: Messi, Raul…

5. Hugo Sánchez – 234

The legendary Colombian footballer competed for both teams affiliated with Real Madrid and had impressive performances in La Liga during the 1980s and early 1990s. Scoring 234 times in 347 matches, he etched his legacy in the annals of sports history and is commonly acknowledged as the greatest Mexican player ever.

He secured the Golden Boot award on five separate instances and was honored as part of the La Liga Team of the Year. He retains his position as Real Madrid’s seventh-highest all-time goalscorer and claimed a total of 10 titles with the team along with winning one Copa del Rey during his tenure at Atletico.

4. Karim Benzema – 238

Karim Benzema, one of the most underappreciated players in Real Madrid’s history, frequently played second fiddle throughout his career as he supported the brilliance of those around him. However, following his outstanding performance that led to winning the Ballon d'Or in 2022, he has finally started receiving the recognition he deserves.

Undoubtedly, he is both a legendary figure for Real Madrid and La Liga. His achievements stand out remarkably with an impressive tally of 238 goals from 439 appearances, highlighting his sustained excellence. During his tenure at Madrid, where he claimed 24 titles, he played during a highly successful period. Additionally, he earned recognition by being selected for the La Liga Team of the Season five times and clinched Real Madrid’s Player of the Season award four times.

His skill in combination plays, proficiency at scoring with both feet, along with his capability to handle high-pressure situations and crucial matches, positioned him among the elite in global soccer. Over time, his legacy will only enhance, much like a superior vintage wine.

READ MORE: 6 world-class Real Madrid icons who bounced back from a slow start

3. Telmo Zarra – 251

Sharing the second-highest goals-to-game ratio with Messi, Telmo Zarra was a legendary figure for Athletic Bilbao during the 1940s and '50s, scoring an impressive 251 goals in 277 matches over his 15-year tenure at the club. He continues to hold the record as Athletic Bilbao’s all-time leading scorer with a total of 335 goals.

A six-time Golden Boot champion, he achieved remarkable goal-scoring records that spanned almost six decades until Messi emerged onto the scene. His tally of 81 goals in the Copa del Rey still stands as a tournament record. These scores helped secure him five cup victories and one league championship, cementing his status as a legendary striker.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 311

Although Cristiano Ronaldo trails behind his main competitor in these goal-scoring rankings, he holds an advantage when considering his total career goals. Furthermore, in La Liga contests, he boasts an impressive tally of 311 goals but has participated in only 292 matches—thus giving him a superior rate of 1.07 goals per game at the top of the chart.

They both stand out as the greatest players of all time, and witnessing their intense competition during their peak years in Spain was among the most thrilling and remarkable rivalries in sports history. Additionally, Ronaldo secured the La Liga top scorer honor thrice.

1. Lionel Messi – 474

Numerous individuals consider Lionel Messi as the greatest player ever. His career boasts a multitude of accomplishments that become more impressive when viewed comprehensively. Notably, he claimed the title of top scorer in La Liga eight times, scoring an astounding 474 goals across 520 matches, all while playing exclusively for Barcelona.

Over a period of 17 years in Spain, his achievements include maintaining an impressive rate of 0.91, which places him second only to Ronaldo. Having won the league title ten times, he was also honored with La Liga’s Best Player accolade nine times. His exceptional ability to create plays coupled with precise scoring skills positioned him as the premier forward throughout his career in La Liga.

READ MORE: The wild La Liga standings since Lionel Messi departed from Barcelona back in 2021.

TRY A QUIZ: Could you list all the clubs that have claimed the La Liga championship?

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