Sergio Ramos Becomes Top Goalscoring Defender in La Liga History

Sergio Ramos has overtaken Ronald Koeman to become the highest-scoring defender in La Liga history after hitting his 68th league goal in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The enigmatic centre back slotted home a penalty after Vinícius Júnior was brought down early in the second half. The result meant that Real return to the top of La Liga on goal difference after Barcelona were held to goalless draw at Sevilla on Friday evening.

Club captain Ramos has been with Los Blancos since 2005 when he switched from Sevilla as a 19- year-old, and he's been a mainstay in the Madrid starting line-up basically ever since. His goalscoring exploits have improved year upon year, culminating in him breaking the ten goal mark in two out of the last three seasons.

He sits on nine goals in all competitions this campaign - owing in part to his promotion to the team's designated penalty taker when Cristiano Ronaldo left the club in the summer of 2018.

Ramos hit his first ever La Liga goal early in his Madrid career, when he scored away to Malaga in a 2-0 win, but it wasn't until a 4-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna in 2006 that he grabbed his first goal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ramos has won four La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues during his time in the Spanish capital and has an excellent penalty record, scoring his last 17 out of a possible 18.

The 34-year-old’s record breaking euphoria, however, was short lived on Sunday, as he limped off with a knee injury shortly after a heavy challenge that denied Sociedad a goalscoring opportunity. He was later caught on camera with his knee heavily strapped and iced in the stands, as he hobbled to his socially distanced seat.

The match on Sunday was marred with controversy after Karim Benzema's eventual winner was deemed legal after a VAR check for handball and the home side had two goals ruled out, including a former Manchester United starlet Adnan Januzaj equaliser late on. Madrid will be hoping their talismanic leader won't be absent for long, as they are currently embroiled in one of the tightest La Liga title races in recent memory.