Ranking The 10 Best La Liga Strikers Of All Time

Football is a sport where the strikers are the most discussed players. They are the ones who make the game entertaining, scoring heaps of goals, often using tricks, skills and intelligent finishing. Across the centuries, Laliga, the first division of Spain, has been blessed with many strikers who have influenced the way the game is played and have provided some of the best memories to millions of its followers. They have also cemented themselves as icons of not just the league, but to the whole sport.

With all of these in mind, we have ranked the top 10 Laliga strikers of all time using the following ranking factors.

Ranking Factors

Performing Under Pressure

A player becomes truly exceptional when he performs under pressure. It is those moments that will be forever etched into the hearts of billions and it is these moments that separate the best from the greatest.

Consistency

Consistency is a key factor, to be able to replicate good performances over a large period of time is absolutely crucial.

Contributions to Team Success

Goals mean little without team success. Additional recognition is always given to strikers whose goals helped the team to lift silverware.

Best Laliga Strikers of All Time

Rank	Player	Country	Clubs
1	Lionel Messi	Argentina	FC Barcelona
2	Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal	Real Madrid
3	Alfredo Di Stéfano	Argentina, Spain	Real Madrid
4	Luis Suarez	Uruguay	FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid
5	Hugo Sánchez	Mexico	Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid
6	Raúl González	Spain	Real Madrid
7	Ferenc Puskas	Hungary	Real Madrid
8	Ronaldo Nazário	Brazil	FC Barcelona, Real Madrid
9	Karim Benzema	France	Real Madrid
10	David Villa	Spain	Valencia CF, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid

10. David Villa

After a fantastic spell at Valencia, David Villa arrived at Camp Nou in 2010. While he stayed for just three years at the club, his impact was brilliant. playing a key role in helping Barcelona win two La Liga titles, one Champions League trophy, and one Copa del Rey, among other honours. He eventually joined Atletico Madrid in 2013, but his time at Camp Nou is widely remembered as the peak of his career thanks to his prolific spells.

Matches	352
Goals	185
Assists	52

9. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema was seen as a third wheel to Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale but he was always a huge link in the historic forward line. Once both of them left, Benzema took his career to the next level, scoring goals for fun and playing a key role in the transition of the senior team to the newer generation.

In over a decade in Spain, the French hit-man broke the 20-goal barrier on six occasions and capped off a magnificent spell at the Bernabeu with the Ballon d’Or in 2022.

Matches	439
Goals	238
Assists	119

8. Ronaldo Nazario

Nicknamed “O Fenômeno,” Ronaldo or R9 was a sensation. His dazzling spell at Barcelona in 1996 showcased his talent to the whole world, which earned him the moniker “The Phenomenon.” Later, at Real Madrid, he solidified his status as one of the game’s greats, despite being plagued by injuries.

It felt like he could do everything. He was an amazing dribbler, used to dance around defenders and trip them casually. His pace was excellent and he used to shoot like a sniper. He was adored at every club he ever played for but unfortunately, injuries derailed his career and forced him to retire.

Matches	164
Goals	116
Assists	64

7. Ferenc Puskas

One of the most important players of the 20th century, Puskas was a revelation. He was part of the revolutionary 1950s Hungarian national side which won an Olympic Gold Medal. One of the more impressive things in his career is that when Puskas joined Real Madrid, he was almost 32. Yet, he went on to win La Liga on five occasions and the European Cup on three!

Puskas re-defined the role of a traditional forward, his goal catalogue was sensational. It is one of the biggest reasons why the Best Goal Award currently is named “The Puskas Award.”

Matches	180
Goals	156
Assists	23

6. Raul

Raul was a symbol of modern forward, being capable of scoring and creating goals with ease. Raul is a legend at Real Madrid, winning six league titles with the club and lifting the Champions League on three occasions. Only four great players – two of whom are still to come on this list – have scored more goals in the latter tournament. He was affectionately called as “El Ferrari,” and became the club’s all-time leading scorer before being surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Matches	550
Goals	228
Assists	101

Also Read: Ranking the 10 Best Premier League Midfielders of All Time

5. Hugo Sanchez

Hugo Sanchez was primarily known to score outrageous goals. His goal catalogue of scorpion kicks, bicycle kicks are a sight to behold. His unique playing style, characterised by athleticism and flair, made every game a thrilling experience. Sanchez was pivotal to the early success of Real Madrid and his combination of skill and showmanship solidified his status as one of the league’s most exciting forwards.

Matches	347
Goals	234
Assists	33

4. Luis Suarez

Widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, Luis Suarez moved to Barcelona in 2014 after a sensational spell at Liverpool. He won four La Liga titles and one Champions League trophy, among numerous other honours. He formed a lethal partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr, nicknamed “MSN” and helped the club win the treble in the 2014-15 season.

The Uruguayan moved to Atletico Madrid in 2020 and when everyone thought he was done, he was instrumental in the Laliga title win of the club during that 2020-21 season.

Matches	258
Goals	176
Assists	84

3. Alfredo di Stefano

Alfredo di Stefano is arguably the most influential striker of this sport. Di Stefano took the game of football to a level the continent had never seen before. When playing against Manchester United, Sir Bobby Charlton was in awe looking at the things Di Stefano was doing.

An icon of Real Madrid, di Stefano’s record for the club was magnificent. He was not only the driving force behind Real Madrid winning the first five European Cups and also eight leagues, he was also chiefly responsible for the quick success of the competition. Everyone wanted to see his Real Madrid side, making them the giant that they are now.

Matches	329
Goals	227
Assists	31

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Real Madrid for a record fee of £80 million from Manchester United, so huge expectations were followed. He lived up to the expectations, scoring almost every game and becoming an irreplaceable part of the side. Ronaldo was integral to Madrid becoming a dominant force again, as they won two Laliga titles, two Copa del Rey and four Champions Leagues from 2014 to 2018. 

He won back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards in 2013 and 2014, and again in 2016 and 2017, and was runner-up three times behind his career rival Lionel Messi. Cristiano, during his spell at this club, not just solidified himself as a Real Madrid legend or a Laliga legend, but as a legend of the sport.

Matches	292
Goals	311
Assists	95

1. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi embodies the spirit of FC Barcelona. He started his career at the club and did not take too long to hit the ground running. Over 17 seasons with Barcelona, Messi shattered records of the whole sport, scoring a staggering 474 goals in La Liga. During his overall tenure at Barcelona, Messi won a club-record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, among others. He also won a record five Ballon d’Ors during his spell there, cementing himself as a legend.

Messi’s extraordinary dribbling, vision, and creativity redefined the forward position and is regarded as the best ever player of this sport.

Matches	520
Goals	474
Assists	216

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