Atletico Madrid's top five goal-scorers of all time

Earlier Vicente Calderon and currently the Metropolitano Stadium have witnessed some of the top marksmen leading the line since the start of their club. These lethal strikers have graced the hallow turfs of Atletico Madrid, a club that is built on passion, grit, and the warrior spirit. The top strikers who have represented the club have embodied these qualities day in, and day out. 

Since the 1950s, there have been top strikers who have etched their names in the history of Los Colchoneros with the art of finding the back of the net. Here are the top five goal scorers for Atletico Madrid ever since their inception.

Top five goal scorers for Atletico Madrid

1. Antonio Griezmann - 193 goals

The Frenchman is the ambassador of Atletico Madrid across the globe. He is one of the most complete forwards of the modern era with an impressive goal and assist tally. Across seasons for Rojiblancos, he has 193 goals to his name across all competitions. His work rate, tactical intelligence, and big game presence made him an asset in Diego Simeone’s system.

His greatest goal came in the 2016 Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona, where he picked up the ball outside the box, nutmegged a defender, and curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Across the nine seasons for Atletico Madrid, he has 135 goals from 295 appearances, making him the top scorer of the club that's known for its defense. 

2) Luis Aragones - 158 goals

With over 321 appearances across all competitions for Atletico Madrid, Luis Aragones is known as the “Wise Man of Hortaleza”. He not only scored goals for fun but defined an era at the Spanish capital. He had an uncanny ability to read the game and drop deep to link play with fellow forwards. His physical presence and technical skills gave defenders a nightmare.

Across all competitions, he bagged 158 goals for the club while also having 123 goals in La Liga for his side. His most spectacular moment came in the 1974 European Cup semi-final against Celtic, where he curled a free-kick from 30 yards that dipped viciously under the crossbar, sending Vicente Calderon into absolute frenzy.

3. Fernando Torres - 129 goals 

Famously termed as El Nino, Fernando Torres lived the dream of many youngsters who aspired to become a footballer. Rising through the ranks of the academy, Fernando Torres became the club’s youngest captain.

He scored 129 goals over his two spells with the outfit he graduated with. After winning the La Liga 2 with Atletico Madrid’s youth outfit, Fernando Torres debuted for the senior side in 2002. For his club, Torres had 109 goals and 30 assists in La Liga across a decade. His most memorable goal came as a teenager against arch-rivals Real Madrid, where he showed blistering pace to beat multiple defenders before finishing with the composure of a veteran. 

4. José Eulogio Gárate - 121 goals

One of the most elegant forwards to wear the Rojiblancos jersey, Garate was a combination of technical brilliance and efficiency. Plying his trade for the side over eleven years, he amassed 121 goals across all competitions in 284 appearances. During his tenure with Atletico, he won the Pichichi Trophy and possessed an extraordinary ability to find space in a crowded penalty area. Though his career was tragically shelved due to a rare blood disease, his impact on the club will remain indelible for his combination of skills and gentlemanly conduct on the field.  His most iconic goal came against Real Madrid in 1973, a perfectly executed bicycle kick that demonstrated his exceptional technique.

5. Sergio Agüero - 101 goals

One of the few strikers across the sport who ruled the global leagues without any hiccups, Sergio Aguero arrived at Atletico Madrid as a teenager. However, when he left Spain for England, Aguero left as one of the most feared strikers in the world. Barring his first season with Rojiblancos, Aguero had a double-digit goal tally for his side in the Spanish top flight alone.

He formed devastating partnerships with Forlan and Falco, leading his side to Europa League glory in 2010. His most spectacular goal came against Barcelona in 2009, where he received the ball with his back to goal, turned two defenders, and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner. He left the club with 101 goals over 208 appearances for the Spanish capital side. Though a short stint, he left a huge imprint on his legacy.