Listing the 10 Real Madrid top scorers in history

Real Madrid have always been known for boasting some of the finest goal-scorers in world football. While some have come through the ranks at their own academy, Los Blancos have also invested wisely in acquiring proven goal-threats to boost their cause.

While most of the names on this list plied their trade before the turn of the millennium, the three leaders ended their careers in white in the last decade or so. Without further ado, let’s take a look at who the top 10 Real Madrid top scorers are.

10. Pirri | 156 Goals

Pirri made his professional bow in Spanish football with Granada aged just 18 in 1963 and represented them for just one season before signing for Real Madrid in 1964. He played most of his 16-year career in Madrid as a central midfielder but showed a great knack for scoring goals.

He made 513 appearances for the club, scoring 156 goals in the process. Pirri was well-known for his leadership qualities and positional versatility on the pitch. He won an impressive 10 La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey cups, and one European Cup.

9. Emilio Butragueno | 168 Goals

Butragueno was one of Real Madrid’s best ever homegrown talents as he joined their academy in 1981 and debuted for the ‘B’ team in 1982. Two years later, he was promoted to the first team and made an instant impact towards earning positive results for his team. Despite being just 5’7, Butragueno was a problem for defenders with his agility and two-footedness.

He played 452 games for the club, scoring 168 goals and also providing 113 assists for his teammates. He won six La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey cups and two UEFA Cups, among other honours and earned his spot among the Real Madrid top scorers.

8. Paco Gento | 169 Goals

Another one of Spain’s finest players, Gento was born in Guarnizo and began his playing career with Racing Santander in 1952, whom he left to join Real Madrid in 1953. A quick, decisive and prolific scorer, Gento mostly played on the left wing but often drifted inwards.

He spent 18 glorious years with Los Blancos, making 551 appearances and bagging 169 goals along the way. He was part of their incredible team in the 1950s and 1960s and won a jaw-dropping 12 La Liga titles and six European Cups, among other honours. He is one of the most decorated players among the Real Madrid top scorers.

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7. Hugo Sanchez | 199 Goals

A player with one of the best goals per game ratio for the club, Sanchez’s 199 strikes in just 268 games ranks him seventh among the Real Madrid top scorers. Despite arriving from arch-rivals Atletico Madrid under dubious circumstances, the Mexican etched his name in Real’s history with his performances.

Sanchez won five La Liga titles with the club and was top goal scorer in the division during four of those campaigns. He also won one Copa del Rey cup and one UEFA Cup.

6. Ferenc Puskas | 226 Goals

To have an award for the best goal scored be named after you, the legacy left behind must speak volumes and it did in Ferenc Puskas’ case. He began his career in his native Hungary with Budapest Honved, who he represented between 1943-56 and scored over 350 goals for. He joined Real Madrid in 1958 and hit the ground running.

Puskas made 243 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 226 at an incredible rate. A naturally left-footed player, he had great control over the ball and could also shoot and pass with both feet. He was also known for his dead-ball abilities. Puskas won five La Liga titles and three European Cups and deserves his spot among the Real Madrid top scorers.

5. Santillana | 268 Goals

Santillana began his career playing for Racing Santander in 1970 and moved to Real Madrid the following year. A relatively short striker standing at 5’9, he was known for his incredible aerial prowess due to his jumping abilities. He scored 10 goals in his debut season aged 19 and went on to create history at the club in his 17-year tenure.

Santillana made 605 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 268 goals in the process. He won an incredible nine La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey cups and two UEFA Cups, among other honours.

4. Alfredo Di Stefano | 285 Goals

Di Stefano is the player to have plied his trade before anyone else on the list and is regarded as the player who set the precedent for greatness at Real Madrid. Having played for River Plate, Huracan and Millonarios earlier, he played for Real between 1953-64. He made 371 appearances for the club, scoring a remarkable 285 goals.

Alfredo Di Stefano was not only a great footballer, but had great athletic abilities such as pace and stamina that allowed him to excel at his role. He was a great dribbler of the ball and could shoot equally well with both feet. He won eight La Liga titles and five European Cups as he cemented his name among Real Madrid top scorers.

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3. Raul Gonzalez | 323 Goals

Arguably the finest modern product of Real Madrid’s academy, Raul made his way through the ranks and was promoted to the first team in 1994. Despite making a slow start with just nine goals in his first season, his longevity at the highest level allowed him to climb up high on the list of Real Madrid top scorers.

Raul played an eye-watering 741 games between 1994-2010, scoring 323 goals and providing 133 assists as well. He won six La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League titles, among other honours, and was also top scorer in La Liga on two occasions.

2. Karim Benzema | 354 Goals

Another player who had a relatively late bloom in his Real Madrid career, Benzema became one of the most irreplaceable pieces in the team towards the end of his time at the club. He joined from Lyon in 2009 with a reputation as a skilful striker who was prolific and had great ball-playing abilities.

Despite not getting a decent look-in as a starter until the mid-2010s, Benzema made 648 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 354 goals and providing 165 assists as well. He won four La Liga titles, five Champions League titles and five FIFA Club World Cups in his 14-year stay.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 450 Goals

Leading the list of Real Madrid top scorers is arguably the greatest player to set foot on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch wearing white. Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club in a then-record deal from Manchester United in 2009 and immediately made an impact with the club.

While originally known as a winger or wide-forward, the Portuguese superstar truly transformed into a lethal striker during his time in Spain. Ronaldo made 438 appearances in his nine-year stay with the club, scoring an astonishing 450 goals and providing 131 assists for his teammates. He won two La Liga titles and five Champions League titles, and was top scorer in Spain on three occasions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who has scored the most goals for Real Madrid?

A. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the list with 450 goals in 438 games.

Q. Who is Real Madrid’s greatest ever player?

A. Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as their greatest player.

Q. Who won the most titles with Real Madrid?

A. Luka Modric holds the record with 26 trophies.