Trofeo EFE Winners: The Trofeo EFE is a yearly award given by the EFE news agency since the 1990/91 season. It’s given to the best Latin American or Ibero-American football player in Spain’s La Liga. The player with the most wins (5 times) is Lionel Messi from Argentina.
A former Argentine player Fernando Redondo, who played for CD Tenerife from 1990 to 1994 and later for Real Madrid from 1995 to 2000, received a special award for being the best player of the 1990s. In the 2016/17 season, Real Madrid as a club received a special award for being the best Ibero-American club.
In the 2017/18 season, Edison Cavani from Uruguay, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, was the only player from outside the Spanish La Liga to win the award.
Trofeo EFE Wins by Player
In this article, we are discussing the player who has won the Trofeo EFE the most number of times.
1. Lionel Messi
- Country: Argentina
- Number of Wins: 5 (2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12)
Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Trofeo EFE wins, with 5 in total.
Messi’s first win came in the 2006-07 season, and he continued to win it consecutively from the 2008-09 to the 2011-12 season. Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players ever, and his incredible performance in La Liga was unmatched during those years.
2. Iván Zamorano
- Country: Chile
- Number of Wins: 2 (1992–93, 1994–95)
Iván Zamorano earned the Trofeo EFE award two times, during the 1992-93 and 1994-95 seasons. In the 1992-93 season, he impressively scored 37 goals in 45 games. Then, in the 1994-95 season, he netted 31 goals in 44 matches, a key contribution to Real Madrid’s victory in the La Liga championship.
Zamorano was not only a successful player but also greatly admired by the fans. His two Trofeo EFE wins serve as a lasting testament to his significant impact on Spanish football.
3. Ronaldo
- Country: Brazil
- Number of Wins: 2 (1996–97, 2002–03)
Ronaldo Nazario achieved the Trofeo EFE award twice, in the 1996-97 and 2002-03 seasons. During the 1996-97 season, he astonishingly scored 47 goals in 49 matches. In the 2002-03 season, he scored 30 goals in 44 games.
Ronaldo’s Trofeo EFE victories underline his remarkable talent for scoring goals. He was a feared striker known for his ability to score goals from various positions on the field.
4. Luis Suárez
- Country: Uruguay
- Number of Wins: 2 (2014–15, 2020–21)
Luis Suárez is a two-time winner of the Trofeo EFE, earning the award in the 2014-15 and 2020-21 seasons. In the 2014-15 season, he impressively scored 25 goals in 43 matches, contributing significantly to Barcelona’s victories in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.
He was also honored with the European Golden Shoe as the top scorer in Europe’s top five leagues. Suárez is a versatile player capable of playing as a striker, winger, or even in the role of a false nine.
Trofeo EFE Winners
Vini Jr. was named the Best Ibero-American Player of 2022, receiving the EFE Trophy.
Expressing his gratitude, the Brazilian stated,
“I always aim to give my best, and receiving this award is significant for my ongoing improvement.”
Upon receiving the honor, he added,
“This award holds great personal meaning for me, considering the exceptional players who have received it in the past. It’s an important moment in my career, and I hope to maintain this level of performance in the upcoming season and throughout my time at Real Madrid.”
| Season | Player | Country | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–91 | Rommel Fernández | Panama | Tenerife |
| 1991–92 | José Zalazar | Uruguay | Albacete |
| 1992–93 | Iván Zamorano | Chile | Real Madrid |
| 1993–94 | Romário | Brazil | Barcelona |
| 1994–95 | Iván Zamorano | Chile | Real Madrid |
| 1995–96 | Diego Simeone | Argentina | Atlético Madrid |
| 1996–97 | Ronaldo | Brazil | Barcelona |
| 1997–98 | Roberto Carlos | Brazil | Real Madrid |
| 1998–99 | Rivaldo | Brazil | Barcelona |
| 1999–2000 | Martín Herrera | Argentina | Alavés |
| 2000–01 | Roberto Acuña | Paraguay | Zaragoza |
| 2001–02 | Javier Saviola | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2002–03 | Ronaldo | Brazil | Real Madrid |
| 2003–04 | Ronaldinho | Brazil | Barcelona |
| 2004–05 | Diego Forlán | Uruguay | Villarreal |
| 2005–06 | Pablo Aimar | Argentina | Valencia |
| 2006–07 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2007–08 | Sergio Agüero | Argentina | Atlético Madrid |
| 2008–09 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2009–10 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2010–11 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2011–12 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2012–13* | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2013–14 | Diego Costa | Brazil | Atlético Madrid |
| 2014–15 | Luis Suárez | Uruguay | Barcelona |
| 2015–16 | Keylor Navas | Costa Rica | Real Madrid |
| 2016–17 | Real Madrid | Spain | Special edition |
| 2017–18 | Edinson Cavani | Uruguay | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2018–19 | Not Awarded | – | |
| 2019–20 | Casemiro | Brazil | Real Madrid |
| 2020–21 | Luis Suárez | Uruguay | Atlético Madrid |
| 2021–22 | Vini Jr. | Brazil | Real Madrid |
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi holds the record for the most wins of this award, with a total of five victories, and notably, four of them were consecutive.