Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlán in the 21st century, Fernando Morena in the 70s and 80s and Pedro Petrone and Héctor Scarone in the pre-World War II era. What do they all have in common? They scored goals – and lots of them. These men have made Uruguay renowned for its perpetual production of goalscoring machines.

But although the names mentioned above are among the most well-known, Uruguay’s goalscoring prowess does not stop with them. To fully recognize the magnitude of the nation’s attacking talent, we will list all Uruguayans who have been crowned top scorer in a national league (excluding the Uruguayan championship) across the globe. From Spain to Azerbaijan and from Brazil to Indonesia, Uruguayan goalscorers have left their mark.

NOTE: Only first tier leagues apply. The list, although sizable in its quantity, is likely to be incomplete due to the unavailability of information from several leagues across the world. Please contact uruguayanheroes@gmail.com or @uruguayanheroes on X if you have any additional information that could be used in this article. 

The list in its current capacity comprises 70 different Uruguayan top scorers spread over 28 leagues across five continents.

Europe

It’s been the epicentre for the world’s greatest players in recent decades and it’s where Uruguay has seen its brightest stars shine. From the pubs in Liverpool to the Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, fans have been shouting their names at the top of their lungs as they scored goal after goal. Here are the Uruguayan top scorers in Europe.

England (Premier League):

  • Luis Suárez (Liverpool, 2013/14)

France (Ligue 1):

  • Edinson Cavani (PSG, 2016/17 & 2017/18)

Italy (Serie A):

  • Pedro Petrone (Fiorentina, 1931/32)
  • Ettore Puricelli (Bologna, 1938/39 & 1940/41)
  • Edinson Cavani (Napoli, 2012/13)

Netherlands (Eredivisie):

  • Luis Suárez (Ajax, 2009/10)

Portugal (Liga Portugal):

  • Darwin Núñez (Benfica, 2021/22)

Spain (La Liga):

  • Jorge da Silva (Real Valladolid, 1983/84)
  • Diego Forlán (Villarreal, 2004/05 – Atlético Madrid, 2008/09)
  • Luis Suárez (Barcelona, 2015/16)

Switzerland (Super League)

  • Richard Núñez (Grasshopper, 2001/02 & 2002/03)

South America

Across the entire continent of South America, Uruguayan goalscorers have terrorized defences. It therefore comes of no surprise that in as many as ten countries, besides Uruguay, at least one Charrúa has laid claim to the top scorer accolade. 

NOTE (for readers with minimal knowledge on the footballing system in the Américas): In the remainder of the article you will frequently read the letters A (Apertura), C (Clausura), I (Invierno) and V (Verano) after some years. They refer to the specific competition in which the player was crowned top scorer. In many Latin American countries the national championship was/is split up in two different competitions: Apertura/Invierno (first half of the season) and Clausura/Verano (second half of the season).

Argentina (Liga Profesional de Fútbol)

  • Enzo Francescoli (River Plate, 1984, 1985/86 & 1994A)
  • Rubén Da Silva (River Plate, 1993C – Rosario Central, 1997A)
  • Sergio Martínez (Boca Juniors, 1993A & 1997C)
  • Gonzalo Vargas (Gimnasia, 2006C)
  • Santiago Silva (Banfield, 2009A – Vélez Sarsfield, 2010A)
  • Santiago García (Godoy Cruz, 2017/18)
  • Michael Santos (Talleres, 2023)

Bolivia (División Profesional):

  • William Ferreira (Bolívar, 2009A, 2009C, 2010C, 2011A & 2013C)

Brazil (Brasileirão):

  • Pedro Rocha (São Paulo, 1972)

Chile (Primera División): 

  • Ubaldo Cruche (Universidad de Chile, 1945 & 1946)
  • Jorge Luis Siviero (Cobreloa, 1982)
  • Washington Olivera (Cobreloa, 1983)
  • Gustavo Biscayzacú (Unión Española, 2003C)

Colombia (Categoría Primera A):

  • José Omar Verdún (Cúcuta Deportivo, 1962)
  • Walter Sossa (Santa Fe, 1970)
  • Nelson Silva Pacheco (Cúcuta Deportivo/Junior, 1973)
  • Héctor Mendez (Deportivo Pereira, 1989)

Ecuador (Liga Pro):

  • Víctor Manuel Battaini (Deportivo Quito, 1968)
  • Francisco Bertocchi (Liga de Quito, 1969)
  • Ángel Marin (América de Quito, 1973)
  • Juan Carlos de Lima (Universidad Católica, 1985 – Deportivo Quito, 1986)
  • Waldemar Victorino (Liga de Portoviejo, 1987)
  • Pedro Varela (Delfín, 1991)

Paraguay (Primera División):

  • Hernán Rodrigo López (Libertad, 2006 & 2014A – Sportivo Luqueño, 2013C)

Peru (Liga 1)

  • Gabriel García (Melgar, 2004)
  • Miguel Ximénez (Sporting Cristal, 2008)
  • Santiago Silva (Universidad de San Martín, 2014)
  • Felipe Rodríguez (Carlos Mannucci, 2021)
  • Martín Cauteruccio (Sporting Cristal, 2024)

Venezuela (Liga FUTVE):

  • Roland Langón (Deportivo Galicia, 1970)
  • José Chiazzaro (Estudiantes de Merida, 1973 & 1974)
  • Sergio Hugo Castillo (Anzoátegui, 1974)
  • Omar Ferrari (Deportivo Táchira, 1979)
  • Germán Montero (Estudiantes de Merida, 1982)

Oceania

While it’s not the continent that has seen an abundance of Uruguayans lighting up their leagues, Oceania has been home to a few Charrúas – of which one man in particular has taken the spotlights.

Australia (A-League):

  • Bruno Fornaroli (Melbourne City, 2015/16)

North America

While crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the Old Continent is the goal for many, a move north is one numerous Uruguayans end up taking. And for a multitude of Charrúas to great success, as exhibited by the several top scorers on North American soil.

Costa Rica (Primera División):

  • José Carlos Cancela (Herediano, 2012V)
  • Fabrizio Ronchetti (Pérez Zeledón, 2014V)

Curaçao (Promé Divishon):

  • Nicolás Rocha (Scherpenheuvel, 2018/19)

El Salvador (Primera División):

  • Rubén Alonso (Alianza, 1987/88)
  • Jorge Garay (Águila, 1996/97)
  • Jesús Toscanini (Juventud Independiente, 2013A)

Guatemala (Liga Nacional):

  • Jorge Rivaga (Finanzas Industriales, 1983)
  • José Luis González (Suchitepéquez, 1984 – Aurora, 1988/89)
  • José Luis Cardozo (Aurora, 1992/93)
  • Néstor Pereira (Amatitlán, 1995/96 & 1996/97)
  • Fernando Garrasino (Xelajú Mario Camposeco, 2004C)
  • Adrián Apellaniz (Deportivo Jalapa, 2007A & 2008A)
  • Diego Casas (Cobán Imperial, 2024C)

Honduras (Liga Nacional):

  • Rubén Alonso (Real Espana, 1988/89)
  • Claudio Cardozo (Marathón, 2011A)
  • Óscar Torlacoff (Choloma, 2012C)

Mexico (Liga MX):

  • Julio María Palleiro (Necaxa, 1953/54 & 1954/55)
  • José Luis Zalazar (Tecos, 1986/87)
  • Sebastián Abreu (Tecos, 2000V – Cruz Azul, 2002V – Dorados, 2005A & 2006C)
  • Iván Alonso (Toluca, 2011A & 2012C)
  • Jonathan Rodríguez (Cruz Azul, 2020A)
  • Nicolás López (Tigres, 2021A)
  • Federico Viñas (León, 2024C)

USA (MLS):

  • Diego Rossi (LAFC, 2020)

Asia

Unbeknownst to most compatriots back in the homeland, there have been Uruguayans whose goalscoring prowess on the continent of Asia led them to be hero worshipped by countless fans.

Azerbaijan (Premyer Liqası)

  • Walter Guglielmone (Inter Baku, 2008/09)

India (Indian Super League):

  • Pedro Manzi (Chennai City, 2018/19)

Indonesia (Liga 1):

  • Cristian Gonzáles (Persik Kadiri, 2005, 2006, 2007/08 – Persik Kadiri/Persib Bandung, 2008/09)

Qatar (Qatar Stars League)

  • Sebastián Soria (Lekhwiya, 2012/13)

That’s a list any country would be proud of and few can rival. The footballing achievements of Uruguay never cease to surprise and amaze.

Written by David Kraakman.