Sergio Ramos voted greatest defender in football history
Real Madrid and Spain centre-back Sergio Ramos has been named the greatest defender in football history by France Football readers, with 64% of people agreeing that he is the best of all time.
The 34-year-old became the highest scoring defender in La Liga history earlier this year after scoring from the penalty spot against Real Sociedad, meaning he’s scored more than career goals than Xavi, Iniesta and Paul Pogba.
He has also showcased his incredible defensive capabilities of late, pulling off the ‘perfect’ challenge on five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi as Real Madrid picked up an impressive 3-1 win against Barcelona.
And after El Clasico at the weekend, many readers of France Football agreed that Ramos is the greatest defender of all time.
In the piece, France Football claim that Ramos, who has lifted a World Cup, two European Championships, four Champions League’s and five Liga trophies, is “impeccable in recovery and in the air.”
“The dominant impression is that a defender has never had a similar impact on the teams he played for.” it reads.
“And this occurs in both areas (defense and attack), which perhaps makes him unique compared to his predecessors.”
Read AlsoEl Clasico: Ramos leads Real Madrid to huge win at Barcelona
In terms of the highest scoring defenders in football history, Ramos is way behind Ronald Koeman, who tops the rankings with 253 goals during his heyday in the 80’s and 90’s.
One prolific season came in the 1987/88 season when he scored 26 goals for PSV Eindhoven from centre-bac
Top Ten Scoring defenders list:
- Franz Beckenbauer – 109 goals
- Roberto Carlos – 113 goals
- Paul Breitner – 113 goals
- Steve Bruce – 113 goals
- Sergio Ramos – 126 goals
- Graham Alexander – 130 goals
- Laurent Blanc – 153 goals
- Fernando Hierro – 163 goals
- Daniel Passarella – 175 goals
- Ronald Koeman – 253 goals