The Pichichi Trophy is a name that resonates with football fans as the benchmark for La Liga top scorers.
Named after the legendary forward Rafael "Pichichi" Moreno, this annual award has celebrated the leading goalscorer in Spain's premier division since the 1952-1953 season.
While not an official La Liga accolade, its prestige is unquestionable.
Past winners range from legendary players like Alfredo Di Stéfano to contemporary icons like Lionel Messi.
In this article, we'll take a chronological journey through each season's winner, spotlighting the exceptional skill and scoring prowess that define La Liga's finest strikers.
TOP SCORER
Club
As of now, the Pichichi Trophy for the 2023-2024 La Liga season remains up for grabs. With the campaign still in progress, several strikers are vying for the title of La Liga top scorer. The race is tightly contested, and it's anyone's guess who will ultimately seize this prestigious award by the season's end. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds and a new name is added to the illustrious list of Pichichi winners.
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
Barcelona
In the 2022-2023 La Liga season, Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona clinched the coveted Pichichi Trophy by leading the scoring charts with 23 goals. This achievement adds to his impressive resume, which includes multiple top-scorer titles in the Bundesliga, where he set records for goals scored in a single season with clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
KARIM BENZEMA
Real Madrid
The 2021-2022 La Liga season concluded with Karim Benzema leading the goal tally. The forward from Real Madrid secured his first Pichichi Trophy, netting 27 goals during the campaign, and finally made his mark as the La Liga Top Scorer.
LIONEL MESSI
Barcelona
In the 2020-2021 La Liga season, Lionel Messi claimed his eighth Pichichi Trophy by leading the scoring charts with 30 goals in 35 matches for FC Barcelona. He easily surpassed competitors Karim Benzema and Gerard Moreno, who each netted 23 goals.
LIONEL MESSI
Barcelona
In the 2019-2020 La Liga season, Lionel Messi secured his seventh Pichichi Trophy, setting an all-time record for the award. Messi, who has claimed the trophy seven times in the past 11 seasons, netted 25 goals during this particular campaign. A brace in Barcelona's 5-0 victory against Alaves on the season's final matchday confirmed his win, edging out Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who ended the season with 21 goals.
LIONEL MESSI
Barcelona
With a two-goal performance against Eibar, Lionel Messi closed the league season with 36 goals, tying the record for most Pichichi awards with his sixth win.
LIONEL MESSI
Barcelona
At the 2018 Marca Awards, Lionel Messi was recognized as La Liga top scorer for the 2017-2018 season, netting 34 goals in 36 matches.
LIONEL MESSI
Barcelona
In the 2016-2017 La Liga season, Lionel Messi was the league's top scorer with 37 goals.
This performance was another highlight in Messi's illustrious career and further cemented his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. During this season, he also provided numerous assists and was instrumental in Barcelona's overall play, although the club finished second in the league, behind Real Madrid.
LUIS SUÁREZ
Barcelona
In the 2015-2016 La Liga season, Luis Suárez claimed the Pichichi Trophy as the league's top scorer. Playing for FC Barcelona, the Uruguayan striker had an incredible season, scoring 40 goals in 35 league appearances. His goal tally was the highest in La Liga that season and helped Barcelona secure the league title.
Suárez's prolific form didn't stop at just scoring goals; he also provided a significant number of assists, contributing to Barcelona's dynamic attacking play alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. in what was famously known as the "MSN" attacking trio.
This season was a personal high for Suárez in La Liga and solidified his reputation as one of the world's premier strikers. It was also remarkable as it broke the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly on the Pichichi Trophy, which had been ongoing since the 2008-2009 season.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Real Madrid
In the 2014-2015 La Liga season, Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as the league's top scorer, securing the Pichichi Trophy for himself. The Portuguese forward, who was playing for Real Madrid at the time, had a phenomenal season, scoring 48 goals in 35 league appearances.
Ronaldo's goal tally for that season was one of the highest in La Liga history and showcased his extraordinary goal-scoring abilities. Despite his individual success, Real Madrid finished second in the league that season, trailing behind FC Barcelona.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2012-2013: Lionel Messi
Goals: 46, Club: FC Barcelona
2011-2012: Lionel Messi
Goals: 50, Club: FC Barcelona
2010-2011: Cristiano Ronaldo
Goals: 40, Club: Real Madrid
2009-2010: Lionel Messi
Goals: 34, Club: FC Barcelona
2008-2009: Diego Forlán
Goals: 32, Club: Atlético Madrid
2007-2008: Daniel Güiza
Goals: 27, Club: Mallorca
2006-2007: Ruud van Nistelrooy
Goals: 25, Club: Real Madrid
2005-2006: Samuel Eto'o
Goals: 26, Club: FC Barcelona
2004-2005: Diego Forlán
Goals: 25, Club: Villarreal
2003-2004: Ronaldo
Goals: 24, Club: Real Madrid
2002-2003: Roy Makaay
Goals: 29, Club: Deportivo La Coruña
2001-2002: Diego Tristán
Goals: 21, Club: Deportivo La Coruña
2000-2001: Raúl
Goals: 24, Club: Real Madrid
1999-2000: Salva Ballesta
Goals: 27, Club: Racing Santander
1998-1999: Raúl
Goals: 25, Club: Real Madrid
1997-1998: Christian Vieri
Goals: 24, Club: Atlético Madrid
1987-1988: Hugo Sánchez
Goals: 29, Club: Real Madrid
1986-1987: Hugo Sánchez
Goals: 34, Club: Real Madrid
1985-1986: Hugo Sánchez
Goals: 22, Club: Real Madrid
1984-1985: Hugo Sánchez
Goals: 19, Club: Atlético Madrid
1983-1984: Jorge da Silva
Goals: 17, Club: Real Valladolid
1982-1983: Poli Rincón
Goals: 20, Club: Real Betis
1981-1982: Quini
Goals: 26, Club: FC Barcelona
1980-1981: Quini
Goals: 20, Club: FC Barcelona
1979-1980: Laurie Cunningham
Goals: 24, Club: Real Madrid
1978-1979: Hans Krankl
Goals: 29, Club: FC Barcelona
1977-1978: Mario Kempes
Goals: 28, Club: Valencia
1976-1977: Mario Kempes
Goals: 24, Club: Valencia
1975-1976: Quini
Goals: 21, Club: Sporting Gijón
1974-1975: Hugo Sánchez
Goals: 19, Club: UNAM
1973-1974: Quini
Goals: 20, Club: Sporting Gijón
1972-1973: Marianín
Goals: 19, Club: Oviedo
1971-1972: Enrique Porta
Goals: 20, Club: Granada
1970-1971: José Eulogio Gárate
Goals: 17, Club: Atlético Madrid
1969-1970: Amancio
Goals: 16, Club: Real Madrid
1968-1969: José Eulogio Gárate
Goals: 14, Club: Atlético Madrid
1967-1968: Fidel Uriarte
Goals: 22, Club: Athletic Bilbao
1966-1967: Waldo
Goals: 24, Club: Valencia
1965-1966: Vavá
Goals: 19, Club: Elche
1964-1965: Cayetano Ré
Goals: 25, Club: Elche
1963-1964: Ferenc Puskás
Goals: 20, Club: Real Madrid
1962-1963: José Eulogio Gárate
Goals: 19, Club: Atlético Madrid
1961-1962: Juan Seminario
Goals: 25, Club: Zaragoza
1960-1961: Ferenc Puskás
Goals: 27, Club: Real Madrid
1959-1960: Ferenc Puskás
Goals: 25, Club: Real Madrid
1958-1959: Alfredo Di Stéfano
Goals: 23, Club: Real Madrid
1957-1958: Manuel Badenes
Goals: 19, Club: Real Valladolid
1956-1957: Alfredo Di Stéfano
Goals: 31, Club: Real Madrid
1955-1956: Alfredo Di Stéfano
Goals: 24, Club: Real Madrid
1954-1955: Juan Arza
Goals: 28, Club: Sevilla
1953-1954: Alfredo Di Stéfano
Goals: 27, Club: Real Madrid
1952-1953: Telmo Zarra
Goals: 24, Club: Athletic Bilbao
1951-1952: Pahiño
Goals: 28, Club: Real Madrid
1950-1951: Telmo Zarra
Goals: 38, Club: Athletic Bilbao
1949-1950: Telmo Zarra
Goals: 24, Club: Athletic Bilbao
1948-1949: César
Goals: 28, Club: FC Barcelona
1947-1948: Pahiño
Goals: 21, Club: Celta Vigo
1946-1947: Telmo Zarra
Goals: 34, Club: Athletic Bilbao
1945-1946: Telmo Zarra
Goals: 24, Club: Athletic Bilbao
1944-1945: Isidro Lángara
Goals: 25, Club: Oviedo
1943-1944: Mundo
Goals: 27, Club: Valencia
1942-1943: Mariano Martín
Goals: 32, Club: FC Barcelona
1941-1942: Mundo
Goals: 17, Club: Valencia
1940-1941: Pruden
Goals: 33, Club: Atlético Aviación (now Atlético Madrid)
1939-1940: Vantolrá
Goals: 22, Club: FC Barcelona
1935-1936: Isidro Lángara
Goals: 28, Club: Oviedo
1934-1935: Isidro Lángara
Goals: 26, Club: Oviedo
1933-1934: Guillermo Gorostiza
Goals: 20, Club: Athletic Bilbao
1932-1933: Manuel Olivares
Goals: 12, Club: Real Madrid
1931-1932: Guillermo Gorostiza
Goals: 12, Club: Athletic Bilbao
1930-1931: Bata
Goals: 27, Club: Athletic Bilbao
1929-1930: Guillermo Gorostiza
Goals: 19, Club: Athletic Bilbao
1928-1929: Paco Bienzobas
Goals: 14, Club: Real Sociedad
THE HISTORY OF THE PICHICHI TROPHY
The Pichichi Trophy, known in Spanish as the "Trofeo Pichichi," holds a noted place in the annals of Spanish football.
Named in honor of Athletic Bilbao striker Rafael "Pichichi" Moreno, the trophy has been awarded annually since the 1952–53 season.
Bestowed by the Spanish sports newspaper Marca, the accolade recognizes the La Liga top scorer in each season.
Even players who led the league in scoring before the trophy's official introduction were retroactively named Pichichi winners, underscoring the award's historical import.
In a nod to the rise of women's football, the top scorer of Liga Iberdrola has also been honored with the Pichichi Trophy since the 2014–15 season.
Despite its storied history, it's important to note that the Pichichi Trophy is not officially recognized by La Liga's governing body, the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LaLiga).
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The award relies on Marca's scoring data, which occasionally diverges from the league's official records.
Intriguing Statistics and Milestones
- Record Wins: Argentine superstar Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Pichichi awards, with an astounding eight wins, all while playing for Barcelona.
- Pioneering Winner: The inaugural Pichichi Trophy was claimed by Telmo Zarra in 1953, who ended his career with a total of six Pichichis, the second-highest number in history.
- Versatility: Quini is a unique figure in Pichichi history, having won the trophy with two different clubs, Sporting Gijón and Barcelona.
- International Flair: The current winner of the Pichichi is Poland's Robert Lewandowski, who secured the title in the 2022–23 campaign with Barcelona.
- Historical Highs: The single-season goal record for a Pichichi winner is held by Lionel Messi, who scored a jaw-dropping 50 goals in the 2011–12 La Liga season.
- Multi-Winners: Only a handful of players have won the trophy multiple times. Besides Messi and Zarra, the list includes legendary players like Alfredo Di Stéfano with five wins and Ferenc Puskás with four.
- Golden Connection: The European Golden Shoe, first awarded in 1968, has often found its way to Pichichi winners, marking them as not just national but continental top-scorers.
- Scoring Efficiency: In the 1930–31 season, Bata from Athletic Bilbao had a stunning ratio of 1.588 goals per game, one of the highest in Pichichi history.
- Shared Glory: Some seasons have witnessed a tie for the top spot, like in 1957–58 when Manuel Badenes, Ricardo Alós, and Alfredo Di Stéfano all scored 19 goals.
- Club Dominance: Historically, players from Real Madrid and Barcelona have most frequently won the Pichichi, highlighting the clubs' offensive prowess.
The Pichichi Trophy not only serves as an individual accolade but also as a historical document, tracking the evolution of offensive play in Spanish football. Through its highs and lows, triumphs and controversies, the Pichichi remains a much-coveted and highly respected prize.
