La Liga, also known as the Primera Division, is one of the most popular football leagues in the world. Since its inception in 1929, the league has seen some of the best footballers in history grace its fields. Among these players, there have been some prolific goal scorers who have made their mark on the league. In this article, we will take a look at the top scorers in La Liga from 2008 to 2022 and how they have evolved over the years.
Lionel Messi has been the undisputed king of La Liga in recent times. He has won the league's top scorer award a record-breaking eight times between 2009 and 2021. The Argentine's ability to score goals at an astonishing rate has earned him a place in the pantheon of greats. Messi has scored a total of 474 goals in La Liga, and his consistency over the years is a testament to his incredible talent.
However, Messi's reign as La Liga's top scorer was briefly interrupted in the 2018/19 season by his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 21 goals for Real Madrid. Ronaldo's move to Juventus in the summer of 2018 marked the end of his time in La Liga, but he left an indelible mark on the league during his nine-year stay. The Portuguese forward scored a total of 311 goals in 292 appearances for Real Madrid, and his rivalry with Messi is one of the greatest in the history of football.
After Ronaldo's departure, it was expected that Messi would once again dominate the top scorer charts. However, a new challenger emerged in the form of Karim Benzema. The French striker has been in sensational form for Real Madrid in recent years, and he finished as La Liga's top scorer in the 2019/20 season with 21 goals. Benzema followed this up with another impressive season in 2020/21, scoring 23 goals and finishing as the league's joint-top scorer alongside Messi.
Benzema's rise to prominence in La Liga is a testament to his hard work and dedication. The Frenchman has always been a key player for Real Madrid, but in recent years, he has taken his game to another level. His ability to link up with his teammates and score goals from a variety of positions has made him one of the most dangerous strikers in the league. With Messi's departure to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021, Benzema has the opportunity to establish himself as the new king of La Liga.
Other notable players who have finished as La Liga's top scorer in recent years include Luis Suarez, who won the award in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons with Barcelona, and Diego Costa, who won it in the 2013/14 season with Atletico Madrid. These players have also left their mark on the league with their incredible performances.
In conclusion, La Liga has been blessed with some of the greatest footballers in history, and the top scorers in the league have always been among the most celebrated. From Messi's dominance to Ronaldo's rivalry, and now Benzema's rise, the top scorer charts in La Liga have always been a reflection of the league's talent and competitiveness. As the new season unfolds, football fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see who will emerge as the next top scorer in La Liga.
