All-Time Leading Scorers of La Liga: La Liga, Spain’s top football league, has been home to some of the best goal-scorers in football history. Over the years, players with incredible talent and consistency have amazed fans by scoring goals.
Legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have stood out for their unmatched skills and ability to score.
Other top scorers Telmo Zarra, Hugo Sánchez, and Karim Benzema have also made a huge impact on the league. Their great careers reflect their skill, hard work, and role in making La Liga one of the most famous football leagues in the world.
All-Time Leading Scorers of La Liga
In this article, we’ll focus on the all-time leading goal scorers of La Liga.
5. Hugo Sánchez
- Country: Mexico
- Goals: 234 in 347 matches (Ratio: 0.67)
- Career: 1981–1994
- Clubs: Atlético Madrid (54/111), Real Madrid (164/207), Rayo Vallecano (16/29)
Hugo Sánchez is 5th among La Liga’s all-time leading scorers. From 1981 to 1994, he played for Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, and Rayo Vallecano.
At Atlético Madrid, he scored 54 goals in 111 games. His peak was at Real Madrid, where he netted 164 goals in 207 matches. He ended his career at Rayo Vallecano, adding 16 goals in 29 games.
Sánchez won the European Golden Shoe in the 1989–90 season by scoring 38 goals in one season. He ended his career with 234 goals in 347 games, solidifying his status as a La Liga legend.
4. Karim Benzema
- Country: France
- Goals: 238 in 439 matches (Ratio: 0.54)
- Career: 2009–2023
- Club: Real Madrid
Karim Benzema is 4th among La Liga’s all-time leading scorers. His career began in 2009 when he joined Real Madrid and lasted until 2023.
Over 14 seasons, he made 439 appearances and scored 238 goals, showing great consistency. A versatile forward, Benzema excelled in scoring with headers, long-range shots, and clever team play. His best season came in 2021–22 when he won the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga’s top scorer.
Benzema’s smart movement, technical skill, and leadership helped Real Madrid win multiple La Liga titles. In 2023, he left La Liga to join Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, marking the end of his impressive career in Spain. He also ranked 1st among the Players with the Most Assists in Real Madrid History.
3. Telmo Zarra
- Country: Spain
- Goals: 251 in 277 matches (Ratio: 0.91)
- Career: 1940–1955
- Club: Athletic Bilbao
Telmo Zarra is 3rd among La Liga’s all-time leading scorers. He played his entire career at Athletic Bilbao from 1940 to 1955, scoring 251 goals in just 277 matches. His remarkable 0.91 goals-per-game ratio is one of the highest in La Liga history.
Zarra was known for his powerful shots and excellent positioning, winning the Pichichi Trophy six times. His best season came in 1950–51 when he scored 38 goals in 30 matches, setting a league record at the time.
Zarra’s loyalty to Athletic Bilbao and his incredible goal-scoring feats made him a national hero and a La Liga legend.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
- Country: Portugal
- Goals: 311 in 292 matches (Ratio: 1.07)
- Career: 2009–2018
- Club: Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo is 2nd among La Liga’s all-time leading scorers. From 2009 to 2018, his time at Real Madrid was extraordinary. In just nine seasons, Ronaldo scored 311 goals in 292 matches, with a goal-per-game ratio of 1.07, the highest among top scorers.
Ronaldo’s best season came in 2014–15 when he scored 48 goals in 35 games, winning the Pichichi Trophy. He also notched 26 hat-tricks, the third-most in La Liga history.
Even after leaving for Juventus in 2018, his impact on La Liga remains unmatched, and he is regarded as one of the greatest players in the league’s history.
1. Lionel Messi
- Country: Argentina
- Goals: 474 in 520 matches (Ratio: 0.91)
- Career: 2004–2021
- Club: Barcelona
Lionel Messi is 1st among La Liga’s all-time leading scorers. His career at Barcelona from 2004 to 2021 was unmatched in football history. Over 17 seasons, Messi scored 474 goals in 520 matches, becoming the league’s top scorer.
He won the Pichichi Trophy a record eight times, with his most prolific season being 2011–12 when he scored 50 goals in 37 matches—a record that still stands.
Messi also provided countless assists, showcasing his playmaking ability alongside his goal-scoring. His legacy as the greatest player in La Liga history is secure, and his records are unlikely to be broken anytime soon.