We present to you the Top 10 Spain forwards of All Time, as La Roja has, over the years, produced a remarkable group of players who shone with their goals and played a decisive role in the team’s success.
Most people remember the crucial goals and decisive finishes that brought trophies, as these strikers imposed their authority against the greatest defenders.
From forwards who excelled on the world stage to those who helped build a strong attacking line for the team, we present to you in the following lines the list of the Top 10 Forwards in Spain’s History.
Top 10 Spain forwards of All time
1. David Villa
David Villa, the man who took over Spain’s iconic No.7 shirt from Raúl, went on to outshine the legend by becoming the nation’s all-time top scorer. A clinical finisher, Villa’s five goals were crucial in Spain’s World Cup triumph in 2010, while his four strikes at Euro 2008 – including a hat-trick against Russia – paved the way for La Roja’s dominance.
Injury ruled him out of Euro 2012, but with 98 caps and 59 goals, Villa’s legacy as one of Spain’s greatest forwards remains unquestionable.
Recommended for you: Top 10 Spain Midfielders of All Time.. Ranked
2. Raúl
Raúl’s shock omission from Spain’s Euro 2008 squad caused a nationwide debate. As captain, talisman, and top scorer, he was the face of La Roja for years.
Yet, in his absence, Spain ushered in a golden era, winning back-to-back Euros and the 2010 World Cup. For Raúl, missing those triumphs was “the most painful moment” of his career.
Still, with 102 caps, 44 international goals, and a legendary Real Madrid career that included 323 goals, six La Liga titles, and three Champions Leagues, his place in football history is secure.
3. Fernando Torres
Few moments are etched in Spanish football history like Fernando Torres’ winning goal against Germany in the Euro 2008 final – the strike that ended decades of heartbreak. Though less influential in 2010, Torres remained a vital squad member and later finished Euro 2012 as joint top scorer, even netting in the final.
With 110 caps and 38 goals, “El Niño” was the face of a new generation of Spanish football.
4. Paco Gento
Lightning fast and deadly on the left wing, Paco Gento was the jewel of Real Madrid’s golden era. After starting at Racing Santander, he spent his entire career at Los Blancos, winning a record six European Cups – a feat unmatched until 2024. In total, he played in eight finals, won 12 La Liga titles, and earned 43 Spain caps. Later named Real Madrid’s honorary president, Gento remained a symbol of the club until his passing in 2022.
5. Telmo Zarra
For decades, Telmo Zarra stood as La Liga’s all-time top scorer with 251 goals – a record only broken by Lionel Messi in 2014.
The Athletic Club icon was lethal in front of goal, netting in five Copa del Rey finals and scoring 20 goals in just 20 appearances for Spain between 1945 and 1951. His name still resonates as one of Spain’s purest goalscorers.
6. Alfredo Di Stéfano
Widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the game, Alfredo Di Stéfano was the architect of Real Madrid’s dominance in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Born in Argentina, he was controversially barred from representing his homeland and ultimately played for Spain, scoring 23 goals in 31 appearances. Despite never playing a major tournament with La Roja, Di Stéfano’s genius and influence shaped an entire era of football.
7. Emilio Butragueño
Emilio Butragueño, nicknamed El Buitre (the Vulture), led the famous Quinta del Buitre generation that transformed Real Madrid in the 1980s.
A sharp striker with ice-cold finishing, he scored 171 goals for Los Blancos, winning five straight league titles and two UEFA Cups. For Spain, he earned 69 caps and scored 26 times, including a stunning four-goal performance against Denmark in the 1986 World Cup.
Read also: Top 10 Italy Defenders of All Time.. Ranked
8. Álvaro Morata
Love him or doubt him, Álvaro Morata has always delivered goals for Spain. Since his debut in 2014, the forward has become one of La Roja’s top scorers, finding the net over 30 times.
His contributions extended into Spain’s modern successes, playing a key role in their 2023 UEFA Nations League triumph. Despite a divisive club career, Morata’s international record speaks volumes.
9. Fernando Morientes
Reliable, powerful, and always a threat in front of goal, Fernando Morientes scored 100 goals for Real Madrid, helping the club win three Champions League titles.
His career took him to Monaco, Liverpool, and Valencia, yet his reputation as a big-game striker remained intact. For Spain, he scored 27 goals in just 47 appearances between 1998 and 2007, cementing his status as one of the nation’s most dependable forwards.
10. Amancio Amaro
Amancio Amaro enjoyed a glittering career with Real Madrid, where he featured in two European Cup finals—winning one and collected an impressive nine La Liga titles during his time with Los Blancos.
Starting out at his hometown club Deportivo La Coruña, the skillful right winger quickly rose to prominence and went on to become a key figure for both club and country.
With Spain, he played a pivotal role in their 1964 European Nations’ Cup triumph and was rewarded with a third-place finish in that year’s Ballon d’Or. Across 43 international appearances, Amaro found the net 11 times, leaving a lasting legacy in Spanish football.
