Discover the La Liga top scorer of all-time and the top 10. From Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo and other legendary figures, explore the remarkable achievements of these football icons in the Spanish top-flight league.
La Liga, the Spanish top-flight football league, has been home to some of the greatest footballers of all time. Over the years, numerous talented players have graced the pitches of La Liga, showcasing their goal-scoring prowess.
In this article, we delve into the rich history of the league and present the La Liga top scorers of all-time and the top 10, highlighting their remarkable achievements and contributions to Spanish football.
La Liga top scorer of all-time: The top 10
1. Lionel Messi – 474 Goals
The undisputed king of La Liga, Lionel Messi, tops the list as La Liga top scorers of all-time with an astonishing 474 goals.
Spending his entire professional career at Barcelona, Messi's magical dribbling, precise finishing, and innate footballing intelligence have earned him countless accolades and records.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 311 Goals
Second on the list of La Liga top scorers of all-time is a force to be reckoned with, Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his goal-scoring prowess during his time with Real Madrid.
His remarkable athleticism, lethal striking ability, and incredible aerial prowess enabled him to net an impressive 311 goals in La Liga.
3. Telmo Zarra – 254 Goals
Zarra is in third place on the list of La Liga top scorers of all time. The Spaniard spent his La Liga career at Athletic Bilbao, playing from 1940 to 1955, appearing in 277 matches and scoring 254 goals. He thus had a goal-scoring ratio of 0.91.
4. Karim Benzema – 238 Goals
Karim Benzema has etched his name in La Liga history as the 4th top scorer with an impressive tally of 238 goals in 439 games. With a scoring ratio of 0.54, Benzema consistently showcased his goal-scoring prowess and played a crucial role in Real Madrid's success over the years.
From scoring his first goal in 2009 to his final goal in 2023, Benzema's contributions to the team were invaluable. However, in a surprising move, he recently joined the Saudi League in the current transfer window, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.
5. Hugo Sánchez – 234 Goals
He played for Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Club América, and Rayo Vallecano, with the highest number of appearances and goals being for Real Madrid, at 207 and 164 respectively.
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6. Raúl González Blanco – 228 Goals
Mexican forward Hugo Sánchez dazzled spectators with his acrobatic finishes and exceptional goal-scoring ability during his time with both Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid. His tally of 234 goals places him among the league's all-time greats.
7. Alfredo di Stéfano – 227 Goals
During his La Liga career from 1953 to 1966, he played for Real Madrid and Espanyol. And he earned his place on the list of highest goal scorers in La Liga history with 227 goals in 329 La Liga matches.
He has a ratio of 0.69. The majority of the goals were scored for Real Madrid, with 216 successful shots in 282 games.
The Argentine-Spanish forward's versatility, skill, and prolific goal-scoring record helped Madrid dominate Spanish football during the 1950s and 1960s.
8. César Rodríguez – 221 Goals
Widely noted for his corners, in his La Liga career, Rodríguez played for Barcelona, appearing in 353 matches, and acquired a ratio of 0.63.
César Rodríguez played a significant role in FC Barcelona's success during the 1940s and 1950s. He helped his team win 5 La Liga championships.
9. Enrique Castro, ‘Quini' – 219 Goals
A true goal-scoring machine, Enrique Castro, popularly known as Quini, excelled with Sporting Gijón and Barcelona.
His incredible consistency and clinical finishing saw him amass 219 goals in La Liga.
He has been associated with Fc Barcelona for most of his La Liga career, playing 448 matches for them in 12 seasons between 1970 and 1987. He has a goal ratio of 0.49.
10. Pahiño – 212 Goals
Last one on the list of top 10 La Liga top scorers of all-time The majority of these goals were scored when he was with Real Madrid, having made 108 successful shots.
He played for various Spanish League teams, including Celta de Vigo and Deportivo La Coruña, from 1943 to 1956.
His goal-scoring exploits, especially with Celta Vigo and Real Madrid, earned him a place in this prestigious list.
Table of La Liga top scorers of all-time
| # | Player | Nation | Club | Appearances | Minutes Played | Minutes per Goal | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | FC Barcelona | 520 | 42.141 | 89 | 474 |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid | 292 | 25.113 | 81 | 311 |
| 3 | Telmo Zarra | Spain | Athletic Bilbao | 277 | 24.895 | 98 | 254 |
| 4 | Karim Benzema | France, Algeria | Real Madrid | 439 | 32.030 | 135 | 238 |
| 5 | Hugo Sánchez | Mexico | 3 Clubs | 347 | 30.310 | 130 | 234 |
| 6 | Raúl | Spain | Real Madrid | 550 | 44.031 | 193 | 228 |
| 7 | Alfredo di Stéfano | Spain, Argentina | 2 Clubs | 329 | 29.561 | 130 | 227 |
| 8 | César Rodríguez | Spain | 4 Clubs | 349 | 31.410 | 142 | 221 |
| 9 | Quini | Spain | 2 Clubs | 448 | 35.815 | 164 | 219 |
| 10 | Pahiño | Spain | 3 Clubs | 278 | 24.925 | 116 | 214 |
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The top 10 La Liga top scorers of all-time embody the essence of Spanish football excellence.
From Messi and Ronaldo's modern-day dominance to the legends of the past, these players have left an indelible mark on the league's history.
Their exceptional goal-scoring exploits have enthralled fans, inspired future generations, and solidified their places as legends of La Liga.
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 months ago
