The 07 Top Scorers in El Clasico History

El Clasico, the legendary match between Barcelona and Real Madrid, has seen some of soccer’s greatest players face off over the years. These games have produced thrilling moments and unforgettable goals. 

The top scorers in El Clasico history have left their mark on this iconic rivalry. Lionel Messi leads the pack with an impressive 26 goals scored for Barcelona against Real Madrid. Other stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Alfredo Di Stefano also rank among the most prolific goal-scorers in these matches. 

From stunning free kicks to clever tap-ins, these top scorers have shown their skill and determination on soccer’s biggest stage. Their goals have thrilled fans and helped shape the storied history of El Clasico. 

1. Lionel Messi – 26 goals

Lionel Messi stands as the top scorer in El Clasico history with an impressive 26 goals. The Argentine superstar achieved this feat during his time at Barcelona. 

Messi’s goal-scoring prowess against Real Madrid is unmatched. He averaged 0.85 goal contributions per game in El Clasico matches, combining both goals and assists. 

His El Clasico record includes: 

• 26 goals 

• 14 assists 

• 45 appearances 

Messi’s first El Clasico goal came on March 22, 2015, in a 2-1 victory for Barcelona. His last goal in this fixture was scored on February 27, 2019, during a 3-0 win in the Copa del Rey semi-final. 

The Argentine’s dominance in El Clasico spanned over a decade. His exceptional performances consistently troubled Real Madrid’s defense and delighted Barcelona fans. 

Messi’s 26 goals in El Clasico put him eight goals clear of the next highest scorer in the fixture’s history. This record highlights his impact on one of football’s most prestigious rivalries. 

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 18 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo stands as one of the most prolific scorers in El Clasico history. The Portuguese superstar netted 18 goals against Barcelona during his time with Real Madrid. 

Ronaldo’s El Clasico record is particularly impressive given his relatively short stint in Spain. He matched Alfredo Di Stefano’s tally of 18 goals in the same number of matches. 

Both Ronaldo and Di Stefano scored their 18 goals in exactly 30 El Clasico appearances. This gives them an identical goals-per-game ratio of 0.6 in this fixture. 

Ronaldo’s El Clasico scoring record spans from 2009 to 2018. His first goal came in 2009, while his last was scored in 2018 before his move to Juventus. 

The forward’s performances in these high-stakes matches often proved crucial for Real Madrid. His goals helped secure vital points and trophies for Los Blancos during his tenure. 

3. Alfredo Di Stefano – 18 goals

Alfredo Di Stefano stands as one of the greatest players in El Clasico history. The Argentine-born forward played for Real Madrid from 1953 to 1964. 

During his time with Los Blancos, Di Stefano scored 18 goals in El Clasico matches. This impressive tally places him third on the all-time top scorers list for this fixture. 

Di Stefano’s goal-scoring record is even more remarkable considering he played in only 18 El Clasico games. This means he averaged an incredible one goal per match against Barcelona. 

His contributions went beyond just scoring. Di Stefano was known for his all-around play and leadership on the field. He helped Real Madrid dominate Spanish and European football during the 1950s and early 1960s. 

Di Stefano’s last El Clasico goal came on September 14, 1969. In that match, Real Madrid and Barcelona played to a thrilling 3-3 draw. 

Key stats for Alfredo Di Stefano in El Clasico: 

• Goals: 18 

• Appearances: 18 

• Goals per game: 1.0 

4. Karim Benzema – 16 goals

Karim Benzema stands as one of the most prolific scorers in El Clasico history. The French striker netted an impressive 16 goals against Barcelona during his time with Real Madrid. 

Benzema’s El Clasico goals came across different competitions: 

• 8 goals in La Liga 

• 4 goals in Copa del Rey 

• 4 goals in other competitions 

Benzema scored his first El Clasico goal in 2009 and continued to find the net until his final season in Spain. 

Beyond scoring, Benzema was also a creator. He provided 11 assists in El Clasico matches, showcasing his all-round contributions to the team. 

5. Raul – 15 goals

Raul Gonzalez Blanco, simply known as Raul, is a Real Madrid legend who left his mark on El Clasico. The Spanish striker scored 15 goals against Barcelona during his illustrious career. 

Raul’s El Clasico journey began in the late 1990s and continued into the 2000s. He played a total of 37 games against Barcelona, maintaining an impressive average of 0.41 goals per match. 

Between 2000 and 2010, Raul was the top scorer in El Clasico.

One of Raul’s most memorable El Clasico goals came in May 2002. This strike showcased his skill and importance to the team during crucial moments. 

Raul’s 15 goals in El Clasico demonstrate his ability to perform at the highest level.

6. Cesar Rodriguez – 14 goals

Cesar Rodriguez was a legendary Barcelona player who left his mark on El Clasico history. He scored 14 goals against Real Madrid during his career, placing him sixth on the all-time top scorers list. 

Rodriguez played for Barcelona from 1939 to 1955, a time when the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid was intensifying.

Cesar’s first El Clasico goal came on March 25, 1945. This marked the beginning of his impressive scoring record against Barcelona’s biggest rivals. 

With 14 goals in 28 El Clasico appearances, Rodriguez maintained an impressive ratio of 0.50 goals per match. This consistency made him a constant threat to Real Madrid’s defense. 

Rodriguez’s scoring record in El Clasico stood for many years. It wasn’t until the modern era that players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed his tally. 

7. Ferenc Puskas – 14 goals

Ferenc Puskas was a legendary forward for Real Madrid during the 1950s and 1960s. He scored an impressive 14 goals in El Clasico matches against Barcelona. 

Puskas played for Real Madrid from 1958 to 1966. During this time, he was a key player in many memorable clashes with Barcelona. 

His goal-scoring prowess was not limited to El Clasico. Puskas averaged 30 goals per season for Real Madrid. In total, he netted 242 goals for the club. 

Puskas’s first El Clasico goal came on June 7, 1959. It was in a Copa del Rey semi-final match where Real Madrid lost 4-2 to Barcelona. 

His last goal against Barcelona was on March 30, 1964. In this game, Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory away from home. 

Puskas shares the 7th spot on the all-time El Clasico scoring list with Paco Gento. Both players scored 14 goals in these iconic matches between Spain’s biggest rivals.