Easily the most highly-anticipated fixture on the Spanish football calendar - and one of the most eagerly-awaited in the whole of Europe - chaos and controversy is always a guarantee when Barcelona and Real Madrid butt heads in El Clasico.

The heavyweight showdown pits not just two of the world's most revered clubs against each other, but often the finest players on the globe, none more so than two men with 13 Ballon d'Or trophies between them, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former sits head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to goals in this tantalising derby, netting a staggering 26 during his time in Catalan colours, but the rightful heir to his throne briefly hogged the spotlight in the most recent affair.

Indeed, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal was among the goal-getters on May 11, 2025, a contest that saw Barcelona prevail 4-3 in a seven-goal spectacular as they took a giant leap towards regaining the La Liga title.

Here, Sports Mole provides an in-depth statistical breakdown of the top 10 scorers in the history of El Clasico.

Generic long title: El Clasico top 10 goalscorers of all time: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema

10. Luis Suarez (Barcelona)

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Appearances: 15

Goals: 11

Ratio: 0.73 goals per El Clasico

First El Clasico goal: March 22, 2015 (Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid | La Liga)

Last El Clasico goal: February 27, 2019 (Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona | Copa del Rey semi-finals second leg)

9. Santillana (Real Madrid)

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Appearances: 35

Goals: 12

Ratio: 0.34 goals per El Clasico

First El Clasico goal: December 4, 1977 (Barcelona 2-3 Real Madrid | La Liga)

Last El Clasico goal: February 25, 1984 (Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona | La Liga)

6=. Ferenc Puskas (Real Madrid)

© Imago

Appearances: 18

Goals: 14

Ratio: 0.77 goals per El Clasico

First El Clasico goal: June 7, 1959 (Real Madrid 2-4 Barcelona | Copa del Rey semi-finals first leg)

Last El Clasico goal: March 30, 1964 (Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid | La Liga)

6=. Paco Gento (Real Madrid)

© Imago

Appearances: 45

Goals: 14

Ratio: 0.31 goals per El Clasico

First El Clasico goal: March 5, 1955 (Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid | La Liga)

Last El Clasico goal: September 14, 1969 (Real Madrid 3-3 Barcelona | La Liga)

6.= Cesar (Barcelona)

Appearances: 28

Goals: 14

Ratio: 0.50 goals per El Clasico

First El Clasico goal: March 25, 1945 (Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid | La Liga)

Last El Clasico goal: June 13, 1954 (Barcelona 3-1 Real Madrid | Copa del Rey semi-finals first leg)

5. Raul (Real Madrid)

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Appearances 37

Goals: 15

Ratio: 0.41 goals per El Clasico

First El Clasico goal: September 30, 1995 (Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona | La Liga)

Last El Clasico goal: May 7, 2008 (Real Madrid 4-1 Barcelona | La Liga)

4. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

© Imago

Appearances: 43

Goals: 16

Ratio: 0.37 goals per El Clasico

First El Clasico goal: December 10, 2011 (Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid | La Liga)

Last El Clasico goal: April 5, 2023 (Barcelona 0-4 Real Madrid | Copa del Rey semi-finals second leg)

2=. Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid)

© Imago

Appearances: 30

Goals: 18

Ratio: 0.60 goals per El Clasico

First El Clasico goal: October 24, 1953 (Real Madrid 5-0 Barcelona | La Liga)

Last El Clasico goal: Dec 14, 1963 (Real Madrid 4-0 Barcelona | La Liga)

2=. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

© Imago

Appearances: 30

Goals: 18

Ratio: 0.60 goals per El Clasico

First El Clasico goal: April 16, 2011 (Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona | La Liga)

Last El Clasico goal: May 6, 2018 (Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid | La Liga)

1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

© Imago

Appearances: 45

Goals: 26

Ratio: 0.58 goals per game

First El Clasico goal: March 10, 2007 (Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid | La Liga)

Last El Clasico goal: May 6, 2018 (Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid | La Liga)

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Written by
Ben Knapton