Ranking the Top 8 Highest Goal Scorers in La Liga History

• La LIga is known for its sensational attacking football
• The league has experienced some of the best goalscorers in the game across the years.
• Sports Brief looks at the top eight scorers in the Spanish top division

Karim Benzema scored a sensational hat-trick in Real Madrid's 4-2 win over Almeria on matchday 32 of the La Liga 2022-23 season.

The 35-year-old striker took his tally of La Liga goals for Real Madrid to 236, surpassing former Mexico star Hugo Sanchez, who netted 234 times in the Spanish top flight.

Benzema is now the fourth-highest scorer in La Liga history, behind only Lionel Messi (474), Cristiano Ronaldo (311) and Telmo Zarra

Sports Brief takes a look at the top 8 La Liga goal scorers of all time, considering all the incredible players and their contributions to their clubs.

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8. Cesar Rodriguez – 221 (353)

Cesar Rodriguez, one of the all-time best players for FC Barcelona, scored 221 goals in 353 La Liga games, ranking among the league's leading scorers.

Rodriguez won the golden boot once while winning the league five times. He also played for groups like Cultural Leonesa, Elche CF, and Granada CF.

7. Alfredo di Stefano – 227 (329)

One of Real Madrid's legendary strikers to have graced their shirt, Alfredo di Stefano scored 227 goals in 329 appearances in the La Liga. A two-time Ballon d’Or winner and five-time golden boot winner, Di Stefano also played for RCD Espanyol in his time and is hailed as one of the best forwards of the game.

6. Raul – 229 (550)

Raul Gonalez is yet another Real Madrid CF legend to appear on the list of the top La Liga goal scorers of all time. Raul played in the Spanish top division for more than 16 years and was devoted to the Los Blancos, having never appeared for any other club before moving abroad in the latter stages of his career. Raul won the two-time golden boot award and three-time UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, scoring 229 goals in the competition.

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5. Hugo Sanchez – 234 (347)

Hugo Sanchez is hailed as the best footballer to have come from Mexico. The striker was lethal in his finishing and remains one of the most iconic players to have ever graced the sport. Sanchez scored 234 goals in 347 games overall, where he featured for clubs like Real Madrid (190), Atletico Madrid (58) and Rayo Vallecano (17).

4. Karim Benzema - 236 goals in 430 appearances

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema moved up to fourth place on La Liga's list of all-time leading scorers after netting a first-half hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Almeria.

The 35-year-old began Saturday one goal behind former Mexico striker Hugo Sanchez, who netted 234 times in La Liga in the 1980s and '90s during spells with Real, Atletico and Rayo Vallecano.

But Benzema scored twice in the opening 17 minutes of Real's home game against Almeria to leapfrog Sanchez.

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Benzema then completed his hat-trick in the 42nd minute when he converted a penalty kick that had been won by Federico Valverde.

3. Telmo Zarra – 251 (277)

One of the Spanish greats and hailed for his incredible goals-per-game ratio, Telmo Zarra is third in the ranking of all-time top scorers in La Liga. He is a legend at Athletic Bilbao and never featured for other clubs in the league. He also won the golden boot award six times. 

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 311 (292)

One of the greatest players ever, Cristiano Ronaldo’s nine-year stay in La Liga was nothing short of magic. His stats make for an unbelievable reading. He is the only player to score more goals than appearances in the list, having scored 311 goals in merely 292 appearances for Real Madrid. Among his countless individual accolades, he won four Ballon d’Or awards during his stay in Spain. 

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1. Lionel Messi – 474 (520)

FC Barcelona’s very own Messi scored 474 goals in 520 appearances for the Blaugrana and continues to surpass himself every day. He is sitting at the top of the list of all-time highest scorers in La Liga, and given the number of years he has played there and performed on a consistent basis, his record may never be matched or broken again.