Top Players With Pichichi Trophy Wins: The Pichichi Trophy is a special prize given to the top goal scorer in the La Liga, the top-tier football league in Spain. It doesn’t matter where the players come from, unlike the Zarra Trophy, which is only for Spanish players. The Pichichi Trophy is named after a famous goal scorer Pichichi who played for Athletic Bilbao. It’s awarded every year by a sports newspaper Marca. This award started in the 1952/53 season, and the first person to receive it was Zarra.
The 17 Players With Pichichi Trophy Wins
The player who has won the Pichichi Trophy the most times is Lionel Messi, with a record of eight wins. There are many other players who have won it more than once as well.
The Pichichi Trophy is a really important individual award in Spanish football. It shows how skilled and good at scoring goals the players who win it are.
Now, let’s talk about the players who have won it the most times.
1. Lionel Messi
- Country: Argentina
- Pichichi Trophy Wins: 8x (2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21)
Lionel Messi has an incredible record of winning the Pichichi Trophy eight times. He won this award in the following seasons: 2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21. He’s not only a Pichichi legend but also holds the record for the most goals ever scored in La Liga, with a remarkable 474 goals.
Messi’s first Pichichi Trophy came in the 2009-10 season when he scored 34 goals. He continued to impress and won the award seven more times, with his most outstanding achievement being 50 goals in the 2012-13 season, setting a new record.
During his time with Barcelona (Barça), Messi achieved a lot, winning 35 titles. This included four Champions League trophies, ten Spanish Championships, and seven Copa del Rey titles. He was also the top scorer in the Champions League six times. His scoring prowess even earned him the UEFA Golden Boot six times as Europe’s top scorer.
Due to financial reasons, Messi couldn’t renew his contract with Barcelona. So, from 2021 to 2023, he played for Paris Saint-Germain in the French Ligue 1. And starting from mid-July 2023, he has been active in Major League Soccer, playing for Inter Miami.
2. Telmo Zarra
- Country: Spain
- Pichichi Trophy Wins: 6x (1944–45, 1945–46, 1946–47, 1949–50, 1950–51, 1952–53)
Telmo Zarra was a Spanish soccer player who played as a striker for Athletic Bilbao and the Spain national team. He’s the third-highest goal scorer in La Liga, with an impressive 251 goals. Zarra also holds the record for winning the Pichichi Trophy 6 times.
Zarra’s first Pichichi Trophy win was in the 1943-44 season. He went on to win it again in the 1945-46, 1946-47, 1949-50, 1950-51, and 1952-53 seasons. He also came close to winning it four more times as the runner-up.
In Spain, Zarra was known as the classic goal scorer. He didn’t see himself as a standout player but rather as someone who completed his team’s game. Zarra scored a total of 334 goals in 353 games, with 251 of them in the Laliga, where he held the record for the most goals until 2014. It took nearly 60 years for players like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to surpass his record.
Zarra is widely regarded as one of the greatest goal-scorers in La Liga’s history and is considered one of the all-time great Spanish footballers.
3. Alfredo Di Stéfano
- Country: Argentina
- Pichichi Trophy Wins: 5x (1953–54, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59)
Alfredo Di Stéfano was a famous football player from Argentina and Spain who played as a forward for teams like Real Madrid and RCD Espanyol. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history.
Di Stéfano achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Pichichi Trophy five times. He received this award in the seasons 1953-54, 1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58, and 1958-59.
He was not only recognized in Spain but also on the international stage. Di Stéfano received the Ballon d’Or, twice in 1957 and 1959. He’s the only player to have ever received the Súper Ballón d’Or in 1989, which recognized him as Europe’s best football player over three decades. Additionally, he was part of Pelé’s FIFA 100 list and ranked fourth in the FIFA “Player of the Century” vote.
In 2007, Di Stéfano was honored with the UEFA President’s Award, and in 2008, he was named UEFA Honorary President. Since 2000, he has held the title of honorary president of Real Madrid, and a sports facility was named after him. The Real Madrid Castilla stadium has been called the Estadio Alfredo di Stéfano since 2006.
Di Stéfano’s leadership on the field was crucial in helping Real Madrid win five consecutive European Cups. His Pichichi Trophy wins are a testament to his incredible goal-scoring ability and overall greatness in football.
4. Quini
- Country: Spain
- Pichichi Trophy Wins: 5x (1973–74, 1975–76, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82)
Quini, also known as Enrique Castro González, was a striker who played for Sporting Gijón and the Spain national team. He’s the ninth-highest goal scorer in La Liga history, with a total of 219 goals. Quini also holds the record for winning the Pichichi Trophy, which is given to the top scorer in La Liga, five times.
Quini’s first Pichichi Trophy win happened during the 1972-73 season when he scored 24 goals. He went on to win the award in the following seasons: 1973-74, 1975-76, 1979-80, 1980-81, and 1981-82.
He was known for his remarkable heading ability and his knack for scoring goals in important matches. Quini was a prolific goal scorer who left a lasting mark on La Liga.
5. Hugo Sánchez
- Country: Mexico
- Pichichi Trophy Wins: 5x (1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90)
Hugo Sánchez Márquez was a striker who played for Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and the Mexico national team. He holds the record as Mexico’s 9th all-time top scorer, with 29 goals, and he also won the Pichichi Trophy five times.
Sánchez’s first Pichichi Trophy win was in the 1984-85 season. He continued to excel and won the award in the following seasons: 1985-86, 1986-87, 1987-88, and 1989-90.
In addition to his playing career, Sánchez also tried his hand at coaching. He served as the coach of the Mexican national team from November 2006 to March 31, 2008, but he was let go due to a lack of effectiveness. In December 2008, he became the coach of UD Almería but was fired a year later because of poor results. He also had a coaching stint with CF Pachuca from July to December 2012.
The 17 Players With Pichichi Trophy Wins
| Rank | Player | Country | Wins (Seasons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Ferenc Puskás | Hungary | 4x (1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64) |
| 7 | Isidro Lángara | Spain | 3x (1933–34, 1934–35, 1935–36) |
| 8 | José Eulogio Gárate | Spain | 3x (1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71) |
| 9 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 3x (2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15) |
| 10 | Guillermo Gorostiza | Spain | 2x (1929–30, 1931–32) |
| 11 | Mundo | Spain | 2x (1941–42, 1943–44) |
| 12 | Pahiño | Spain | 2x (1947–48, 1951–52) |
| 13 | Amancio | Spain | 2x (1968–69, 1969–70) |
| 14 | Mario Kempes | Argentina | 2x (1976–77, 1977–78) |
| 15 | Raúl | Spain | 2x (1998–99, 2000–01) |
| 16 | Ronaldo | Brazil | 2x (1996–97, 2003–04) |
| 17 | Diego Forlán | Uruguay | 2x (2004–05, 2008–09) |
Pichichi Trophy Winners
| Season | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | Paco Bienzobas | Real Sociedad | 14 |
| 1929/30 | Guillermo Gorostiza | Athletic Bilbao | 19 |
| 1930/31 | Bata | Athletic Bilbao | 27 |
| 1931/32 | Guillermo Gorostiza | Athletic Bilbao | 12 |
| 1932/33 | Manuel Olivares | Real Madrid | 16 |
| 1933/34 | Isidro Langara | Real Oviedo | 27 |
| 1934/35 | Isidro Langara | Real Oviedo | 26 |
| 1935/36 | Isidro Langara | Real Oviedo | 27 |
| 1939/40 | Victor Unamuno | Athletic Bilbao | 20 |
| 1940/41 | Prudes | Atlético Aviation | 30 |
| 1941/42 | Mundo | Valencia FC | 27 |
| 1942/43 | Mariano Martin | Barcelona FC | 32 |
| 1943/44 | Mundo | Valencia FC | 27 |
| 1944/45 | Zarra | Athletic Bilbao | 19 |
| 1945/46 | Zarra | Athletic Bilbao | 24 |
| 1946/47 | Zarra | Athletic Bilbao | 34 |
| 1947/48 | Pahino | Celta Vigo | 23 |
| 1948/49 | Cesar Rodriguez | Barcelona FC | 28 |
| 1949/50 | Zarra | Athletic Bilbao | 25 |
| 1950/51 | Zarra | Athletic Bilbao | 38 |
| 1951/52 | Pahino | Real Madrid | 28 |
| 1952/53 | Zarra | Athletic Bilbao | 24 |
| 1953/54 | Alfredo Di Stefano | Real Madrid | 27 |
| 1954/55 | Juan Arza | FC Seville | 28 |
| 1955/56 | Alfredo Di Stefano | Real Madrid | 24 |
| 1956/57 | Alfredo Di Stefano | Real Madrid | 31 |
| 1957/58 | Manuel Badenes | Real Valladolid | 19 |
| 1957/58 | Alfredo Di Stefano | Real Madrid | 19 |
| 1957/58 | Ricardo Alos | Valencia FC | 19 |
| 1958/59 | Alfredo Di Stefano | Real Madrid | 23 |
| 1959/60 | Ferenc Puskas | Real Madrid | 26 |
| 1960/61 | Ferenc Puskas | Real Madrid | 27 |
| 1961/62 | Juan Seminario | Real Zaragoza | 25 |
| 1962/63 | Ferenc Puskas | Real Madrid | 26 |
| 1963/64 | Ferenc Puskas | Real Madrid | 20 |
| 1964/65 | Cayetano Ré | Barcelona FC | 25 |
| 1965/66 | Vava | FC Elche | 19 |
| 1966/67 | Waldo | Valencia FC | 24 |
| 1967/68 | Fidel Uriarte | Athletic Bilbao | 22 |
| 1968/69 | Amancio Amaro | Real Madrid | 14 |
| 1968/69 | José Eulogio Garate | Atletico Madrid | 14 |
| 1969/70 | Amancio Amaro | Real Madrid | 16 |
| 1969/70 | Luis Aragones | Atletico Madrid | 16 |
| 1969/70 | José Eulogio Garate | Atletico Madrid | 16 |
| 1970/71 | José Eulogio Garate | Atletico Madrid | 17 |
| 1970/71 | Carles Rexach | Barcelona FC | 17 |
| 1971/72 | Enrique Porta | Granada FC | 20 |
| 1972/73 | Marianin | Real Oviedo | 19 |
| 1973/74 | Quini | Sporting Gijon | 20 |
| 1974/75 | Carlos Ruiz Herrero | Athletic Bilbao | 19 |
| 1975/76 | Quini | Sporting Gijon | 21 |
| 1976/77 | Mario Kempes | Valencia FC | 24 |
| 1977/78 | Mario Kempes | Valencia FC | 28 |
| 1978/79 | Hans Krankl | Barcelona FC | 29 |
| 1979/80 | Quini | Sporting Gijon | 24 |
| 1980/81 | Quini | Barcelona FC | 20 |
| 1981/82 | Spain Quini | Barcelona FC | 26 |
| 1982/83 | Poli Rincon | Betis Seville | 20 |
| 1983/84 | Jorge da Silva | Real Valladolid | 17 |
| 1983/84 | Juanito | Real Madrid | 17 |
| 1984/85 | Hugo Sanchez | Atletico Madrid | 19 |
| 1985/86 | Hugo Sanchez | Real Madrid | 22 |
| 1986/87 | Hugo Sanchez | Real Madrid | 34 |
| 1987/88 | Hugo Sanchez | Real Madrid | 29 |
| 1988/89 | Baltazar | Atletico Madrid | 35 |
| 1989/90 | Hugo Sanchez | Real Madrid | 38 |
| 1990/91 | Emilio Butragueño | Real Madrid | 19 |
| 1991/92 | Manolo | Atletico Madrid | 27 |
| 1992/93 | Bebeto | Deportivo La Coruna | 29 |
| 1993/94 | Romario | Barcelona FC | 30 |
| 1994/95 | Ivan Zamorano | Real Madrid | 28 |
| 1995/96 | Juan Antonio Pizzi | CD Tenerife | 31 |
| 1996/97 | Ronaldo | Barcelona FC | 34 |
| 1997/98 | Christian Vieri | Atletico Madrid | 24 |
| 1998/99 | Raul | Real Madrid | 25 |
| 1999/2000 | Salva Ballesta | Racing Santander | 27 |
| 2000/01 | Raul | Real Madrid | 24 |
| 2001/02 | Diego Tristan | Deportivo La Coruna | 21 |
| 2002/03 | Roy Makaay | Deportivo La Coruna | 29 |
| 2003/04 | Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 24 |
| 2004/05 | Diego Forlan | Villarreal FC | 25 |
| 2005/06 | Samuel Eto’o | Barcelona FC | 26 |
| 2006/07 | Ruud van Nistelrooy | Real Madrid | 25 |
| 2007/08 | Daniel Güiza | RCD Mallorca | 27 |
| 2008/09 | Diego Forlan | Atletico Madrid | 32 |
| 2009/10 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona FC | 34 |
| 2010/11 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 41 |
| 2011/12 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona FC | 50 |
| 2012/13 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona FC | 45 |
| 2013/14 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 31 |
| 2014/15 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 48 |
| 2015/16 | Luis Suarez | Barcelona FC | 40 |
| 2016/17 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona FC | 37 |
| 2017/18 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona FC | 34 |
| 2018/19 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona FC | 36 |
| 2019/20 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona FC | 25 |
| 2020/21 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona FC | 30 |
| 2021/22 | Karim Benzema | Real Madrid | 27 |
| 2022/23 | Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona FC | 23 |
Pichichi Trophy Consecutive Wins
The record for the most consecutive Pichichi Trophy wins is an impressive 5, and this record is held by Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, both Zarra and Alfredo Di Stéfano had remarkable runs as well, winning the award in 4 consecutive seasons each.
Here is a table of the players with the most consecutive Pichichi Trophy wins:
| Player | Country | Wins | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 5 | 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21 |
| Alfredo Di Stéfano | Argentina | 4 | 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59 |
| Hugo Sánchez | Mexico | 4 | 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88 |
| Isidro Lángara | Spain | 3 | 1933–34, 1934–35, 1935–36 |
| Telmo Zarra | Spain | 3 | 1944–45, 1945–46, 1946–47 |
| José Eulogio Gárate | Spain | 3 | 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71 |
| Quini | Spain | 3 | 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82 |
Clubs With the Most Pichichi Trophy Wins
Real Madrid is the club with the most Pichichi Trophy wins, securing this honor 28 times. Real Madrid has a rich history of success in La Liga, holding the record for the most league title wins with 35.
Throughout its history, Real Madrid has been home to several prolific goal-scorers who have claimed the Pichichi Trophy. This impressive list includes legendary names like Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, Hugo Sánchez, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
On the other hand, Barcelona, Real Madrid’s fierce rival, has also seen its share of outstanding goal scorers. The likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Quini have showcased their goal-scoring talents and contributed to Barcelona’s success in La Liga.
| Club | Players | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid (Community of Madrid) | 14 | 28 |
| Barcelona (Catalonia) | 12 | 20 |
| Athletic Bilbao (Basque Country) | 6 | 12 |
| Atlético Madrid (Community of Madrid) | 8 | 10 |
| Valencia (Valencian Community) | 4 | 6 |
| Oviedo (Asturias) | 2 | 4 |
| Sporting Gijón (Asturias) | 1 | 3 |
| Deportivo La Coruña (Galicia) | 3 | 3 |
| Valladolid (Castile and León) | 2 | 2 |
| Real Sociedad (Basque Country) | 1 | 1 |
| Celta Vigo (Galicia) | 1 | 1 |
| Sevilla (Andalusia) | 1 | 1 |
| Zaragoza (Aragon) | 1 | 1 |
| Elche (Valencian Community) | 1 | 1 |
| Granada (Andalusia) | 1 | 1 |
| Real Betis (Andalusia) | 1 | 1 |
| Tenerife (Canary Islands) | 1 | 1 |
| Racing Santander (Cantabria) | 1 | 1 |
| Villarreal (Valencian Community) | 1 | 1 |
| Mallorca (Balearic Islands) | 1 | 1 |
Countries With the Most Pichichi Trophy Wins
The country with the most Pichichi Trophy wins is Spain, boasting an impressive 51 victories. Argentina comes in second with 15 wins, and Brazil is third with 6 wins. These statistics highlight the rich history of goal-scoring talent in Spanish football.
| Country | Players | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 33 | 51 |
| Argentina | 3 | 15 |
| Brazil | 5 | 6 |
| Mexico | 1 | 5 |
| Hungary | 1 | 4 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 4 |
| Portugal | 1 | 3 |
| Netherlands | 2 | 2 |
| Austria | 1 | 1 |
| Cameroon | 1 | 1 |
| Chile | 1 | 1 |
| Italy | 1 | 1 |
| France | 1 | 1 |
| Paraguay | 1 | 1 |
| Peru | 1 | 1 |
| Poland | 1 | 1 |
