La Liga, also known as the Primera División, is the top professional football league in Spain and one of the most prestigious club competitions in the world. Since the league's inception in 1929, many great players have graced the pitch and left their mark on the competition's history. In this article, we'll take a look at the all-time top scorers in La Liga, who have cemented their place in football folklore.
1. Lionel Messi - 474 goals
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the best football players in history, and his goal-scoring record in La Liga is a testament to his talent. The Argentine has been a fixture at Barcelona since 2004 and has scored an incredible 474 goals in 520 appearances. He has won the Pichichi Trophy, awarded to the league's top scorer, a record seven times.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - 311 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo may have left Real Madrid for Juventus, but his impact on La Liga will never be forgotten. The Portuguese forward spent nine seasons at Real Madrid and scored 311 goals in 292 appearances. He won the Pichichi Trophy three times and was the league's top scorer in four of his seasons in Spain.
3. Telmo Zarra - 251 goals
Telmo Zarra is a legend of Spanish football and spent his entire career at Athletic Bilbao. The striker scored 251 goals in 278 appearances and was the league's top scorer on six occasions. He held the record for the most goals in La Liga until Lionel Messi surpassed him in 2014.
4. Hugo Sánchez - 234 goals
Hugo Sánchez was a prolific goal-scorer for both Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid during his career in La Liga. The Mexican forward scored 234 goals in 347 appearances and won the Pichichi Trophy five times. He was known for his acrobatic goals and is regarded as one of the greatest players in Mexican football history.
5. Raúl - 228 goals
Raúl is a Real Madrid legend and one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the club's history. The Spanish striker scored 228 goals in 550 appearances in La Liga and won the Pichichi Trophy twice. He also helped Real Madrid win six league titles during his career with the club.
These five players are the top goal-scorers in La Liga history, but there are many other great players who have left their mark on the competition. Players like Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskás, Samuel Eto'o, and Diego Forlán have all scored over 150 goals in the league and are remembered as some of the greatest players in football history.
In conclusion, La Liga has been home to some of the best goal-scorers in football history, and the players on this list have cemented their place in the competition's folklore. These goal-scorers have provided us with countless unforgettable moments and will always be remembered as legends of Spanish football.