Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos stepped up when his team needed him to, delivering a tremendous all-around display to help Los Blancos win El Clasico.
Coming into El Clasico, Real Madrid were in some trouble. They had lost to Cadiz and Shakhtar Donetsk in consecutive games, and the rumor mill was having a field day with speculation about Zinedine Zidane.
But Real Madrid, as they almost always do, responded in kind. They put together their best performance of the 2020-2021 season thus far, hunkering down and winning against Barcelona 3-1 at the Camp Nou.
And at the heart of the win was the captain with the heart of a lion, Sergio Ramos.
Real Madrid missed Ramos badly against Shakhtar, as he was unable to play due to a knee injury he picked up in the first half of the eventual loss to Cadiz. Los Blancos lost without Ramos on Wednesday, but when the 34-year-old returned for El Clasico, he had the desired impact.
Ramos scored a decisive 2-1 goal from the spot after drawing the penalty from Barcelona center back Clement Lenglet on the corner. Lenglet had been grabby with Ramos throughout the game on set pieces, but this mistake cost Barcelona dearly. So essentially, the threat Ramos carries with his head led to him scoring yet another goal from the spot.
Sergio Ramos is one of the greatest players in Real Madrid history
Defensively, Ramos was as good as ever. His leadership ensured Real Madrid only bent but did not break against Lionel Messi, Ansu Fati, and Barcelona’s vaunted attack. He often came up with the decisive intervention himself, snapping into tackles and clearing anything last-ditch. Ramos’ lasting highlight from the match, other than his goal from 11 meters, will be a signature tackle to deny Messi one last frantic run into the penalty box.
Ramos is one of the greatest legends in not just Real Madrid history, but in footballing history. I don’t know who my pick would be in the end, but Ramos is in the discussion as the greatest center back in history.
Performances like this add to his legacy. When his team needs a last-ditch clearance, a man to bark orders to the other defenders, a cool head from the spot, a threat from a set piece, a safe passer of the ball, a man who can switch the field of play, or a warrior who will fight fire with fire in the biggest rivalry match of the season, Ramos is there for Real Madrid.
Who else can do all those things at center back? Who else has done them for years?
Each game is a chance for Sergio Ramos to add to his undeniable legacy as one of football’s great defenders. And this Clasico, with a lot on the line for Real Madrid emotionally, Ramos added another masterful display to his legendary resume.