The next set of players have defined their generation through some impeccable goalscoring. The names like Alfredo di Stefano, Edmundo Suarez, Cesar Rodriguez and Quini have inspired generations of new La Liga stars
10. Edmundo Suarez - 195 goals
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| An iconic figure in the history of Valencia |
An idol at Valencia, Edmundo Suarez established himself as one of the best goalscorers of his generation. Starting his career at the Basque country, Edmundo Suarez initially played in various amateur clubs before signing up for Athletico Bilbao in 1935. Despite turning professional with Bilbao, Edmundo Suarez made just one appearance for the Basque County before the Spanish Civil War cancelled the league.
The war proved to be a boon for the striker as he made the move to Valencia in 1939 after impressing with 'Recover of Levate' team - a team made of players who fought in Levante during the war. In eleven seasons that he spent at the Mestalla, Mundo - as he was nicknamed- scored 10+ goals in nine seasons, breaking the 20-goal mark on five occasions. His goalscoring exploits landed him the Pichichi on two occasions.
Mundo, who was mostly employed as a striker, netted an impressive 195 league goals in 231 appearances and helped the Los Che to their first three league titles, Spanish super cup and two Copa del Rey titles. The Barakaldo-born striker formed a devastating attacking lineup with Epi, Amadeo, Asensi and Gorotiza.
The striker ended his playing days at the Mestalla in 1950 before retiring from the game in 1951 after spending a season on loan at Alcoyano. Mundo sadly passed away at the age of 62 in 1978.
9. Pahino - 210 goals
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| The man who paved way for the entry of Alfredo di Stefano |
A forgotten figure at Real Madrid and a legend at Celta Vigo, Pahino contributions have often been forgotten. Manuel Fernandez, also known as Pahino, started his career in Iberian peninsula at Celta Vigo in 1943. Despite having a terrible debut season, scoring just four goals and suffering relegation, Pahino led Celta Vigo to their highest ever finish in La Liga till date and to the finals of the Copa del Rey, scoring not less than 15 league goals, in his five seasons at the club.
Pahino's goalscoring exploits caught the eye of his hometown club Real Madrid, securing a move to the capital of Spain in 1948. Often forgotten about his exploits at the Bernabeu, Pahino scored 19 or more league goals during each of his five seasons at Madrid, winning the Pichichi for the second time. The striker though etched himself into the history of Real Madrid as the man who paved way for the arrival of Alfredo di Stefano.
Good with both his feet, Pahino spend his last few seasons in La Liga with Deportivo La Coruna, joining the club in 1953. Four seasons with Deportivo was followed by a return to Segunda division to join Granada before retiring from the game in 1957.
Deployed mainly as a striker, Pahino spent 12 seasons in La Liga and scored an impressive 210 goals in 278 appearances. The legendary striker sadly passed away a couple of years back in 2012 at the age of 89.
8. Quini - 219 goals
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| The last player to win the Pichichi in alternative seasons with two different teams |
Enrique Castro Gonzalez or simply known as Quini won an impressive seven Pichichi trophy during his career with five of them coming in the La Liga. In a career spanning 19 years, the talented striker represented just two clubs during his entire professional career.
The Spaniard span the majority of his career in the coastal city of Gijon with Sporting Gijon, making his professional debut in 1968 after moving from Amateur club Ensidesa. The striker was the go-to man for Sporting from Day 1 as they struggled to maintain their position in the La Liga.
After nearly 12 seasons at the club, Sporting were forced to sell their most prized asset to Barcelona after being relegated from the first division despite Quini scoring 25 goals and winning the Pichichi. Quini enjoyed his most successful period at the Catalonian capital, winning the Copa del Rey twice, Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners Cup once before returning to his beloved Gijon and retiring in 1987.
One of the greatest strikers to have ever played for Spain, Quini represented the nation for 12 years, including appearances in two World Cup and two Euro Cups. Quini ended his career after scoring an impressive 219 goals in 448 appearances in the La Liga.
7. Cesar Rodriguez - 223 goals
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| One of Barcelona's greatest |
A Barcelona man through and through, Cesar Rodriguez Alvarez is arguably one of the greatest to have worn the boots for FC Barcelona. Despite joining the Catalan giants in 1939 at the age of 19, Cesar had to wait for three years to make his debut after military service forced him to move to Granada and play for the local side Granda FC for two seasons.
Cesar finally made his debut in 1942 and helped his side win their first post-war La Liga title. Four more league titles along with three Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups were added during long 13 seasons with the club.
The striker finally left the Catalan side in 1955 joining Cultural Leonesa before retiring in 1960 at the age of 40 after spells with Perpignan and Elche.
Regarded as one of the greatest in his generation, Cesar Rodriguez scored an incredible 223 goals in 253 top-flight matches. Despite his goalscoring prowess, Cesar could only manage one Pichichi trophy in his entire career.
6. Alfredo di Stefano - 227 goals
| One of the greatest ever to play the game |
A name that is synonymous with the history of Real Madrid and Spanish football. A name that has etched himself into the El Classico rivalry without ever being part of the rivalry while at its best. Alfredo di Stefano is one of the greatest to have ever graced the football ground and definitely part of one of the greatest ever transfer stories in the history of the game.
Having started his career in his native country of Argentina with River Plate, Di Stefano made himself a star at Columbian side Millonarios. Forming a destructive trio with Perdenera and Nestor Rossi, Di Stefano and the Millonarios won three league titles and one domestic cup.
A friendly tournament organised by Real Madrid as a part of their 50th anniversary changed the course of the history of their club. Then Madrid president Santiago Bernabeu, having been impressed by di Stefano, quickly made the arrangements to buy the striker after despite Barcelona having struck a deal with his previous owners and last FIFA affiliated club River Plate. After a long legal battle, Di Stefano finally started his career in Spain after agreeing on playing alternative seasons for Real Madrid and Barcelona. A poor start to his career in Spain saw the Blaugrana selling their rights to the Madrid club. What transpired next helped Real Madrid to become the team that is today.
Called 'Saeta rubia' or the 'Blond Arrow', instantly showed his class at Madrid. The striker was a phenomenal figure in the Los Blancos team of the 1950s and mid60s. In a period of complete domination, Real Madrid won eight league title, five straight European titles, two Latin Cups, an Intercontinental Cup and a Copa del Rey.
A Balon d'Or winner, di Stefano finished as top scorer on five occasions and scored an impressive 227 goals in 329 matches. Named as one amongst Pepe's FIFA 100, di Stefano has numerous individual accolades to his name.
A great managerial career further enhanced his reputation in the game. The legendary figure sadly passed away at the age of 88 in 2014.
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