A goal-scoring defender is a valuable commodity and one thing each workforce would like to have.
Whereas retaining targets out of their very own internet is the principle goal, chipping in with a couple of on the different finish is actually a great addition.
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There have been some nice centre-back-cum-goal-machines down the years and one of many best possible is Actual Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, who netted the 116th aim of his outstanding profession to fireside his facet to a 1-Zero victory in opposition to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
talkSPORT has had a take a look at the place Ramos options within the highest-scoring defenders of all time and which well-known title tops the listing.
10. Franz Beckenbauer – (109) targets
The West Germany captain revolutionised the sweeper position, and the truth that he was the furthest participant from the opposition’s aim speaks volumes of his goalscoring prowess.
He was recognized for his creativity and passing in addition to his elite defending abilities.
Over 19 years, he scored 109 instances.
He was most prolific for Bayern Munich the place he netted 64 targets in 439 appearances.
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9. Roberto Carlos (113)
The scorer of, arguably, one of many biggest free-kicks of all time, Carlos has been lauded as among the finest attacking full-backs to have performed the sport.
The Brazilian was a part of the ‘Galacticos’ squad that grew to fame within the early 2000’s and have become recognized for his skill to get ahead from the flanks into goalscoring positions.
He was additionally lethal at set items for membership and nation with most of his strikes coming from dead-balls.
It’s onerous to consider many footballers in historical past who’ve had a extra deadly left foot.
8: Paul Breitner – (113)
Similar to Beckenbauer, Breitner contributed considerably to Bayern and West Germany’s unprecedented success within the 1970’s.
He is only one of 4 gamers to have scored in two World Cup finals, and he additionally contributed one other three within the 1974 World Cup.
Though he moved to midfield within the latter levels of his profession, he was predominantly a defender and obtained most of his targets from deep.
Breitner scored most of his targets for Bayern and ten of his targets have been for his nation.
7: Steve Bruce (113)
The Englishman beloved to get on the scoresheet, specifically for Manchester United, but in addition contributed a good few with Gillingham, Norwich, Birmingham and Sheffield United.
His most well-known targets got here in opposition to Sheffield Wednesday within the 1992/93 season when he scored twice to present the Sir Alex Ferguson’s facet their first title in 26 years.
His greatest season got here in 1990/91 for the Pink Devils, when he scored 19 targets in all competitions.
6: Sergio Ramos – 120 targets
No defender in world soccer at present scores greater than the Actual Madrid captain, and what’s extra spectacular is he does it at essential moments too.
Ramos scored important targets for his facet in each Champions League finals in opposition to bitter rivals Atletico Madrid.
He has added to his tally since changing into the principle penalty taker for his facet following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
5: Graham Alexander (130)
The Scotsman was a right-back for a lot of golf equipment through the years together with Burnley, Scunthorpe, Luton and Preston North Finish.
He was on spot-kick duties and plenty of of his targets got here got here from penalties, however he additionally had the spectacular skill to pop up from targets in open play as a right-back.
Suprisingly, he by no means obtained on the scoresheet for Scotland.
4: Laurent Blanc (153)
Remarkably, the previous France boss nonetheless holds the aim scoring file on the membership he started enjoying soccer with: Montpelier.
Blanc began his profession as an attacking midfielder earlier than dropping again to play as a sweeper, netting 80 targets in eight years with the membership – with many coming from set items.
The previous Paris Saint-Germain supervisor additionally scored 16 targets for France, together with his most well-known being the Golden Aim winner in opposition to Paraguay in his nation’s last-16 tie of the 1998 World Cup.
3: Fernando Hierro (163)
Hierro cemented his place as certainly one of Spain and Actual Madrid’s all-time greats together with his goalscoring skill.
He captained either side and took penalties and free-kicks contributing to his excessive tally.
However he additionally demonstrated an unimaginable aerial presence at corners and plenty of have mentioned that Actual Madrid have by no means discovered a real alternative for his or her former captain.
He additionally scored within the Premier League for Bolton Wanderers.
2: Daniel Passarella (175)
Arguably South America’s greatest ever defender, the Argentine had an astounding goalscoring skill.
Many used to say brief gamers shouldn’t be good at defending, however at 5ft 8in, Passarella nicely and actually silenced those that held the view.
If attacking gamers reminiscent of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi didn’t exist, he would have a shout at being the perfect Argentinian to put on the well-known blue and white shirt.
He captained his nation to World Cup glory in 1978 and was a part of their successful squad in 1986 too.
1: Ronald Koeman (253)
The Dutchman holds the title of essentially the most prolific defender of all time, though he did play in midfield too.
Making his title as a sweeper, the previous Barcelona participant boasts a file that many strikers would dream of.
He as soon as scored 26 targets in a single season for PSV and was additionally instrumental for Barcelona in his time with the Catalan giants, netting 19 targets twice in two totally different seasons for the Blaugrana.
It’ll come as no shock that Koeman took free-kicks and penalties – and his most essential strike was his extra-time free-kick in opposition to Sampdoria that handed Barcelona their first ever European Cup in 1992 at Wembley.
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