South America has produced some iconic football stars who have made their mark on the global stage. From Pele to Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, and Ronaldinho, these legends have left a lasting legacy on the sport.
South American players have been a key presence in European football for many years, with a significant number currently playing in the top leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. As of now, there are 228 South American players showcasing their skills in these prestigious leagues.
With such a strong representation in European football, it begs the question: who stands out as the top goal-scorer from South America in Europe’s top five leagues since 2000? Let’s delve into the stats.
According to data from Stats Perform (as reported by ESPN), Gonzalo Higuain holds a notable record with 237 goals to his name.
Gonzalo Higuain, a talented striker from Argentina, made his mark in European football when he signed with Real Madrid in 2007 after starting his career at River Plate. During his time with Los Blancos, he became known as one of the top strikers globally, scoring an impressive 107 goals in 190 league matches.
In 2013, Higuain made a move to Napoli, where he continued to showcase his goal-scoring prowess. Over the course of 104 Serie A games, he netted a total of 71 goals, including a record-breaking season in 2015-16 where he scored 36 goals in just 35 matches.
His journey in Europe continued as he transferred to Juventus in 2016, with loan stints at AC Milan and Chelsea following suit. Higuain’s accomplishments include winning the Capocannoniere award and earning spots in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season on two occasions. In total, he has amassed an impressive tally of 237 league goals at the highest level of competition before making the move to MLS club Inter Miami in 2020.
Following closely behind Higuain in terms of goals scored is Luis Suarez, with an impressive 248 goals to his name.
After showcasing his talent in his homeland, Luis Suarez made a move to Ajax in 2007. He quickly made a name for himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe during his time with the Dutch club before transferring to Liverpool in 2011.
During his 110 appearances in the Premier League for the Reds, Suarez scored an impressive 69 goals. He was awarded the Golden Boot for the 2013-14 season after netting 31 goals in just as many matches.
In the summer of 2014, the Uruguayan forward made his way to Barcelona, where he continued his goal-scoring prowess at Camp Nou. Teaming up with Lionel Messi and Neymar, Suarez scored an impressive 195 goals in 283 games across various competitions.
Throughout his career in the top five European leagues, Suarez has scored a total of 248 league goals. He claimed the La Liga Pichichi Trophy for the 2015-16 season by scoring 40 goals in 35 games and also earned a spot in the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2016.
After leaving Barcelona, Suarez joined Atletico Madrid in 2020, where he spent two successful seasons before departing Europe in 2022.
3. Sergio Aguero – 259 goals.
Sergio Aguero has scored a total of 259 goals in the top five European leagues, making him the third highest scorer on the list. Hailing from South America, Aguero caught the attention of Atletico Madrid in 2006 after showing great promise with Independiente. He quickly proved his worth in Spain, establishing himself as one of the top strikers in the league and eventually in all of Europe.
During his time at Atletico, Aguero played 175 league matches and netted 74 goals. His standout performances earned him accolades such as the Golden Boy award in 2007 and the title of La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year for the 2007-08 season. This was just the beginning of his illustrious club career.
In 2011, Aguero made a high-profile transfer to Manchester City, where he continued to impress with 184 goals in 275 Premier League games. He was honored with the Premier League Golden Boot for the 2014-15 season and was twice named in the Premier League Team of the Season. His unforgettable last-minute goal against QPR to secure the league title for Manchester City in 2012 remains a cherished sporting moment.
In 2021, Aguero made a move to Barcelona but unfortunately had to retire from professional football shortly after due to a medical condition. Meanwhile, Edinson Cavani follows closely behind with 267 goals on the same list.
Edinson Cavani made a transfer to Palermo in Serie A from Danubio F.C. in January, following an outstanding performance in the 2007 South American Youth Championship where he ended up as the tournament’s top goal-scorer with seven goals in nine games. Initially, he struggled to find his footing in Europe, scoring only seven goals in his first season and a half with the Sicilian club. However, his goal-scoring abilities flourished during the 2008-09 season, making him Palermo’s top scorer in all competitions with 15 goals in 36 appearances. Throughout his time at Stadio Renzo Barbera, Cavani played 109 league matches and scored 34 goals.
He later moved to Napoli on loan in 2010, with a permanent deal following in 2011. Cavani’s time with the Naples club solidified his position as one of Serie A’s best strikers, netting 52 goals in just 69 appearances.
In the summer of 2013, Cavani transferred to Paris Saint-Germain, where he experienced immense success. During his time with the Parisian club, he scored a remarkable 138 league goals in 200 matches, contributing significantly to their winning of over 20 major trophies, including six Ligue 1 titles. Cavani holds the record for the most goals scored in Paris Saint-Germain’s history.
The Uruguayan player earned the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Season award in the 2016-17 season and claimed the Ligue 1 Golden Shoe twice.
Following a two-season stint with Manchester United in the Premier League, Cavani moved to Valencia in the summer transfer market of 2022. His current team is Boca Juniors, where he is showcasing his skills on the field.
1. Lionel Messi – 496 goals (referencing current top goal scorer in Paris Saint-Germain).
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the greatest South American player to have graced European football. Starting his career with Barcelona at just 13 years old in 2003, the Argentina international made a name for himself with an impressive 520 league appearances and 474 goals for the Spanish giants.
With an impressive collection of eight La Liga Golden Boots, six European Golden Boots, and eight Ballon d’Or awards, Messi’s talent and success on the field are unrivaled. His record-breaking 73 goals across all competitions in the 2011-12 season solidified his place in football history.
After leaving Barcelona, Messi made a move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2022. During his time at the Parc des Princes, he made 58 league appearances and found the back of the net 22 times, continuing to showcase his extraordinary skill and goal-scoring prowess.
