Most Goals Makita
The Basque striker who once held Real Sociedad's scoring record before it was broken.
José María Bakero is one of Real Sociedad’s most celebrated forwards, but he is not the club’s all-time top scorer. A Basque attacker, he played for Real Sociedad from 1980 to 1988 before moving to Barcelona and later Deportivo La Coruña. His time with the Donostia club helped solidify their place among Spain’s elite, though the record for most goals across all competitions actually belongs to Darko Kovačević, who scored 129 goals—while Bakero netted 136.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Forward
- Status
- Retired; Club Legend
- Record held
- Former top scorer for Real Sociedad (surpassed by Darko Kovačević)
Lore & Background
Bakero’s partnership with other local talents helped define an era where Real Sociedad began to challenge for major honors rather than simply fighting relegation. His goal-scoring contributions were vital in crucial matches, but his record was later surpassed by Darko Kovačević, who retired in 2009—long after Bakero had left the club. Jesús María Satrústegui also challenged the mark in subsequent years, but the all-time scoring benchmark at Anoeta Stadium belongs to Kovačević.
Reader's Guide
Makita's trophy cabinet is modest compared to modern superstars, reflecting the club's historical struggles against Spanish giants, yet his record stands tall. He never won La Liga or the Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad, as those titles remained elusive during his playing days; however, he was instrumental in securing promotion and stabilizing the team in the top flight. His primary achievement remains the individual record: scoring more goals than any other player in the club's history.
This title has stood for decades, a monument to his consistency over fourteen seasons. While specific final opponents for trophies are absent from his career as he did not lift major silverware, his decisive moments were often found in regular-season matches where he single-handedly secured vital points against rivals like Athletic Club or Barcelona. The record is contextualized by the era; scoring 10+ goals a season consistently over a decade was a feat of immense difficulty without modern training aids. He holds the title of 'El Rey' (The King) of Real Sociedad scorers, a status that remains unchallenged.
Did You Know?
- He scored 136 goals for Real Sociedad across all competitions, but Darko Kovačević holds the club record with 129 goals in all competitions (107 in La Liga).
- Kovačević's record was set long after Bakero's time at the club, as Satrústegui actually retired in 1988—the same year Bakero left—while Kovačević played for Real Sociedad from 1999 to 2007.
- Bakero was part of the squad that helped establish Real Sociedad as a consistent top-flight presence.
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