The Spanish League celebrates one of the most high-profile derbies on earth, the El Clasico. It involves two of the greatest clubs in the world – Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Both have been fighting for global dominance and have time and again conquered everything that’s there to be won.
There has been a lineage of star strikers in the league that have set the stage on fire scoring goals by the loads. Some of them were the best players of their generations, while some arguably have been regarded as the best of all time.
Here, we take a look at the five best strikers to have graced the La Liga ever.
Raul Gonzalez
This man was the go-to guy for Los Blancos for as long as he played for the club. Making his debut in 1994, Raul scored 228 goals in 550 appearances with an average of 0.41. Raul was blessed with organic intelligence, and used it smartly and effectively.
He was a Real Madrid lad through and through, coming through the club ranks and is currently managing Castilla, the youth team at the club. Needless to say, he was a fan favourite then, he is a fan favourite now, and will remain a fan favourite forever.
Alfredo Di Stefano
Born in 1926 in Argentina, Di Stefano was as complete a footballer as they come. A proper legend, he wooed crowds in Spain in the 1950s. Alongside Francisco Gento and Jose Zarraga, they ruled Europe from 1955 to 1959, winning five continental trophies on the trot.
Di Stefano scored 227 times in 329 outings at a strike rate of 0.69. He, in the truest sense, was the first Real Madrid club legend and is still remembered by the Los Blancos faithful as one of the best ever.
Telmo Zarra
In a list that was likely to be dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona players, Telmo Zarra stands out as an exception. The Atletico Bilbao striker was prolific and lifted the Pichichi Trophy a record six times. He scored 251 goals in 278 appearances, and scored 20 times for Spain in just 20 outings.
The Zarra Trophy, awarded to the highest scoring Spanish player in the La Liga, is given in his memory. His story and rise to football is starry and his record makes him unbelievable.
Lionel Messi
Talking about inhuman, here’s Leo Messi for you. Arguably the greatest footballer to have graced the pitch, Messi can do anything he wants on the pitch. He scores, he creates, he passes, he makes space, and he walks – anything really. His mind functions as if he’s on a Play-station, and he beats players like there weren’t any.
There’s nothing we can really write about him that hasn’t already been written. He’s, till date, the highest scorer in the history of La Liga with 438 goals in 474 appearances and carries innumerable other global records on him. Enjoy watching him till you can.
Cristiano Ronaldo
If Messi is still doubted to be the greatest modern-age footballer, it’s because of this man. Relentless and striving for perfection at all times, Ronaldo scored 311 times in 292 appearances, scoring at an out-worldly rate of 1.07. The man was the reason behind Real Madrid’s four consecutive Champions League titles, and he deservedly won 5 Ballon D’Or en route to greatness.
A powerful athlete who can dribble, shoot, head, assist and wriggle his team out of crucial situations, his transition from a winger to striker happened at Real Madrid and produced astonishing results for the Portuguese and The Los Blancos. Is he the greatest striker ever?
Notable mentions: David Villa, Hugo Sanchez, Ferenc Puskas, Ronaldo de Lima and Francisco Gento.
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