Real Madrid: Sergio Ramos’ goal-scoring is the ultimate wild card
Real Madrid center back Sergio Ramos set records as a goal-scoring defender this season.
Sergio Ramos has long been one of the most prolific defenders in the world at scoring goals, and the Real Madrid captain has found the back of the net 10 times so far in 2019-2020 for Los Blancos. He’s been in tremendous scoring form when it’s counted the most, burying clutch penalties and even a gorgeous free kick during Real’s perfect march to the title.
With Ramos leading the way as the captain, Real Madrid won all 10 of their first games after La Liga’s return, clinching the title on July 16 when they defeated Villarreal 2-1 at the same time second-placed rivals Barcelona fell to Osasuna.
Ramos didn’t have a decisive goal in that game, instead allowing Karim Benzema to score from the spot for the eventual winning goal. But he was the one who drew that penalty, had a key pass, and defended like mad against one of the best forward lines in La Liga to help Real secure their 34th title.
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In the other games, though, Ramos was a menace as a goal-scorer, with an output rivaling the best strikers in the league. He scored five times in nine appearances, including a period where he had four goals in five games. Real Madrid won three of those games by one goal, and he scored penalties in two 1-0 wins over the notoriously tough Getafe and Athletic Bilbao.
Many of Ramos’ goals were penalties, but that shouldn’t take away from his accomplishments as a scorer. In fact, it’s incredibly impressive how Ramos has never missed a penalty in his career despite more than 20 attempts, and he scores his penalties in different ways.
Occasionally he’ll go for power or a cheeky panenka. But usually, he’ll hit his penalties right into the corner with finesse, often misdirecting the keeper early with his run-up.
Only Benzema scored more goals than Ramos’ 10 in La Liga this season, and Benzema is a No. 9 in a heated Pichichi race with the stat-padding Lionel Messi. So on top of completing 90.9 percent of his passes this season, per WhoScored.com, and playing inspired defense alongside Raphael Varane as part of the league’s best statistical defense in terms of goals allowed, Ramos is scoring on his own.
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Headers, free kicks, penalties, and even a counterattacking goal against Eibar. Goals of all styles are possible with Ramos, who will bomb forward to join the attack whenever Real Madrid are in need of a goal. He displays the heart of a captain not just in defense, but in attack. And that gives his team the ultimate wild card to lay down on the table when they need that extra boost to secure three points. And in a tight title race, that skillset can make the difference.