La Liga legends: Who are 10 of the best footballers to ever play in La Liga?

La Liga legends have engraved their names into footballing history, and now, we present the top 10 best players ever to grace Spain's top football league, La Liga. From goal kings to midfie­ld masters, these icons have excite­d fans with their awesome skills and me­morable matches.

La Liga boasts numerous le­gends who have gained massive­ victories with top-notch clubs. This article pulls from dee­p research and expe­rt insight to give a full view of these­ soccer giants' awesome care­ers.

Top 10 best La Liga legends

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Some of them have won the outstanding La Liga Be­st Player Award, a nod to their unique sports contributions. Come­ with us! We are off on a thrilling ride e­xploring the amazing achieveme­nts and lasting marks left by these La Liga le­gends.

10. Dani Alves

Dani Alves, celebrated as the footballer with the most trophies, illuminated the Spanish league during his tenure with Barcelona and Sevilla, displaying a superior mix of defensive strength and offensive skill. Initiating his professional journey at Bahia in 2001, Alves embarked on a remarkable six-year journey with Sevilla, securing two UEFA Cups and a Copa del Rey.

His transfer to Barcelona marked him as the then third-highest-paid defender. In his debut season with Barcelona, Alves achieved the treble and, in the following season, contributed to the team's victories in the Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.

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In addition to those, Dani went on to win two more Supercopa de España, five La Liga titles, and two UEFA Champions League titles subsequently. The La Liga legend's energetic performances on the right side revolutionised the modern full-back role, establishing him as a key component of Barcelona's dominance in European and domestic competitions.

9. Ronaldinho Gaúcho

Ronaldinho is the only player ever to have won a World Cup, a Copa América, a Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores and a Ballon d'Or. His game, marked by extraordinary technical skills, creativity, and prowess in dribbling and free-kicks, along with a flair for tricks, feints, no-look passes, and overhead kicks, reflected his roots in futsal.

During his tenure with Barcelona, Ronaldinho's talents flourished, particularly in his second season, when he bagged his first FIFA World Player of the Year award following Barcelona's capture of the 2004–05 Spanish league title. The subsequent season, he won the UEFA Champions League victory—their first in 14 years—and another La Liga title. The success earned him a career-first double alongside the 2005 Ballon d'Or and his second FIFA World Player of the Year.

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Notably, his performance in the 2005–06 El Clásico, where he scored two solo goals, earned him a rare standing ovation from Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabéu. The honor was previously accorded to Diego Maradona in 1983, cementing his status as one of the greatest La Liga legends.

8. Raúl González Blanco

Over his 16-year tenure at Real Madrid, Raúl became the club's third-highest scorer ever, netting 323 goals, and set a record with 741 appearances, the most in the club's history. During his time with Los Blancos, he secured six Spanish league titles, three UEFA Champions League titles, captured four Supercopa de España, one UEFA Super Cup, and two Intercontinental Cups.

Following Fernando Hierro's exit in 2003, Raúl was named the team's captain, a role he maintained until departing the club in 2010. In the history of La Liga, (as of March 2023) Raúl is celebrated as the sixth top scorer, with 228 goals to his name. Additionally, his 550 match appearances rank as the third-highest in the league's history.

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7. Luis Figo

Luis Figo, whose controversial move from Barcelona to Real Madrid marked one of football's most storied chapters, excelled at both clubs. Being among the La Liga best players of all time, his 106 assists rank him second only to Lionel Messi.

He won the Ballon d'Or in 2000 and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001, with Pelé recognizing him among the world's finest living players by including him in the FIFA 100 list in 2004. His move in 2000 from Barcelona to Real Madrid broke records with a transfer fee of €62 million, stirring significant controversy.

Throughout his remarkable career, Figo amassed a collection of prestigious awards, featuring a Portuguese Cup, four La Liga championships, two Spanish Cups, three Spanish Super Cups, a UEFA Champions League title, a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, two UEFA Super Cups, and an Intercontinental Cup.

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6. Ronaldo Nazário

Ronaldo Nazário's tenure in La Liga spanned across two iconic clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Arriving at Barcelona in 1996, Ronaldo set the league on fire with his sensational debut season, claiming the Pichichi Trophy after scoring 34 goals and leading Barcelona to Copa del Rey victory. His departure from Barcelona marked the end of a brief but unforgettable era.

In 2002, Ronaldo returned to La Liga, this time with Real Madrid, where he became an integral part of the famed "Galácticos" lineup. During his time at Real Madrid, Ronaldo showcased his remarkable talent, contributing to two La Liga titles, as well as triumphs in the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. His legacy in the Spanish league is one of unparalleled excellence and unforgettable moments, solidifying his status as one of the league's all-time legends.

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5. Sergio Ramos

In 2005, Ramos moved from Se­villa to Real Madrid. He proved his worth quickly with gre­at defensive skills and pe­rfect timing. As time passed, Ramos be­came crucial to Real Madrid’s defe­nse, and his role was key in the­ir many wins.

Ramos's leadership and determination were instrumental in securing 4 UEFA Champions League titles, 5 La Liga, 2 Copa del Rey, 4 Supercopa de Espana, 3 UEFA Super Cups, and 4 FIFA Club World Cups. This cemented his status as one of the league's most successful defenders and the Spanish league legends.

Ramos was not just good at defe­nding, he could score goals too. In fact, his goals often came­ at vital times. Think of his 2014 Champions League final when his he­ader in that game showed he­ steps up when nee­ded the most.

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4. Francisco Gento

Francisco Gento's place­ in Real Madrid history is unmatched as he stands with a re­markable record of 12 La Liga victories. His quickne­ss and skill on the sideline gre­atly contributed to Real Madrid's reign in the­ 50s and 60s. This has carved his status as a hero in the annals of La Liga.

He featured in an equaling record eight European Cup finals, emerging victorious in an unmatched six occasions, alongside clinching an unprecedented 12 La Liga titles. Throughout his 14-year international tenure, Gento garnered 43 caps for Spain, participating in the World Cup tournaments of 1962 and 1966.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Our list now delves into a segment that leaves fanatics questioning: who are the best three players to ever play in the La Liga? However, I am certain that Cristiano Ronaldo is among them.

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Cristiano Ronaldo, a global football icon, left an indelible mark during his time in the Spanish league. Arriving at Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009, Ronaldo quickly became the focal point of the team's attack. His unparalleled athleticism, incredible goal-scoring ability, and remarkable work ethic propelled Real Madrid to new heights.

During his nine-year stint in La Liga, his relentless goal-scoring, including 451 goals in 438 appearances, led Real Madrid to two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. He also clinched four Ballon d'Or awards during his time in Spain, cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

2. Alfredo Di Stefano

Nicknamed "Saeta Rubia" ("Blond Arrow"), he is renowned for his remarkable achievements with Real Madrid, where he played a pivotal role in the club's unparalleled success in the European Cup and La Liga throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Alongside Francisco Gento and José María Zárraga, he stands as one of only three players to contribute to all five European Cup triumphs, scoring crucial goals in each of the five finals.

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With eight La Liga titles and five consecutive European Cups, Di Stefano's legacy is immortalized in La Liga history as a true footballing pioneer. While primarily representing Spain in international football after his move to Madrid, Di Stéfano also made appearances for Argentina and Colombia.

1. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, a footballing phenomenon, has left an indelible mark on La Liga. Joining Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, at a young age, Messi quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most prolific scorers in the league's history.

With his exciting skills, vision, and finishing, Messi has shattered numerous records during his tenure in La Liga. He holds the record for most La Liga goals scored in a single season (50 goals in the 2011-2012 campaign) and is Barcelona's all-time leading scorer in the league.

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Messi's unrivaled record-breaking tenure at Barcelona includes ten La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. He has also won an unprecedented eight Ballon d'Or awards, solidifying his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Final word

La Liga legends are not just historical figures! They have­ wowed fans and future soccer stars across the­ globe with their unwavering commitme­nt, talent, and fair play. These folks re­present why La Liga is thought of as one of the­ world’s topmost soccer leagues.

READ ALSO: Who are the top 10 all-time top scorers of La Liga?

Sports Brief published an article about the ranked top 10 all-time top scorers of La Liga. The incredible attacking football seen in La Liga is well-known worldwide.

Over its history, the league has featured some of the sport's all-time great scorers. Some of these players have become all-time top scorers of La Liga and legends since the league's inception. Click on the link above to learn more.