The Pichichi Trophy, named after Athletic Club legend Rafael Moreno “Pichichi,” is one of the most prestigious individual awards in Spanish football.
Since 1953, the accolade has been presented annually by the Spanish newspaper Marca to the top goalscorer in La Liga.
Over the decades, it has become a symbol of consistency, dominance, and attacking brilliance in the Spanish game.
When we look at the history of the trophy, Lionel Messi stands far ahead of all others.
The Argentine star claimed the award on eight occasions during his illustrious career with Barcelona, setting an all-time record that seems almost impossible to surpass.
His golden run stretched from 2010 to 2021, including five consecutive wins between 2017 and 2021.
Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his incredible scoring exploits at Real Madrid, secured the Pichichi Trophy three times.
His triumphs came in the 2010–11, 2013–14, and 2014–15 seasons, cementing his place among the competition’s greatest forwards.
Other notable winners include Telmo Zarra, who held the record with six Pichichi titles for decades before Messi surpassed him.
Hugo Sánchez also left his mark by collecting five trophies, four of them consecutively with Real Madrid during the 1980s.
Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskás, two of the most legendary figures in the history of Spanish football, also lifted the award multiple times.
Read also: Who was Pichichi, and what is the story behind him?
Players with the most Pichichi Trophies
| Player | Club(s) | Titles | Years Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | Barcelona | 8 | 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017–2021 |
| Telmo Zarra | Athletic Club | 6 | 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1953 |
| Hugo Sánchez | Atlético, Real Madrid | 5 | 1981, 1985–1988 |
| Alfredo Di Stéfano | Real Madrid | 5 | 1954, 1956–1959 |
| Quini | Sporting, Barcelona | 5 | 1974, 1976, 1980–1982 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 3 | 2011, 2014, 2015 |
The list highlights the dominance of players who defined entire eras of La Liga.
Messi sits alone at the top, with Zarra, Sánchez, Di Stéfano, and Quini forming an elite group just below him.
Ronaldo’s three awards still place him firmly among the greatest scorers in the history of the Spanish league.
The Pichichi Trophy is not only about goals, but also about legacy.
It tells the story of how football’s most lethal strikers shaped La Liga across different generations, leaving behind records that continue to inspire the stars of today and tomorrow.
