Who is the best center back of the 21st century?
It’s safe to say that there are quite a few valid responses to this question. Thiago Silva and Marquinhos helped form the bedrock of Paris Saint-Germain’s
domestic dynasty. Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci proved essential in Juventus’ unprecedented Scudetto success. John Terry’s supreme ball-playing ability and aggression dovetailed perfectly with Chelsea’s ascension to the world stage. Pepe put his body on the line and showcased a fearless mentality for Portugal and his various club teams, whilst their players like Gerard Piqué, Virgil van Dijk and Carles Puyol have written their names into the history books with their complete skillset.
However, when it comes to longevity, arguably no player comes close to Sergio Ramos.
Since making his professional debut in 2004 for boyhood club Sevilla, Sergio Ramos has done it all. Before making the move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2005, he helped Sevilla qualify for the 2005/06 UEFA Cup, where they would win their first major trophy in 60 years. Despite dealing with the pressure of a €27 million, a record for a Spanish defender, and despite inheriting the #4 from legendary defender Fernando Hierro, Ramos quickly emerged as a vital cog in Real’s backline. Whether it was battling a center forward in an aerial challenge, coming out on top in foot races, or putting in a last-ditch tackle, it’s undeniable that Ramos never backed down from a fight.
Whilst he racked up more yellow and red cards than he would have liked, Ramos checked every single box as an elite defender, be that holding his own in 1v1 duels or coming off his line and anticipating dangerous passes. What’s more, his versatility, footballing IQ and technical prowess enabled him to slot into central defense and at right back, whipping in dangerous crosses and breaking the lines with his well-worked through balls. Furthermore, his physica brute and rapid sprint speed proved essential in the biggest occasions, with Ramos displaying ample leadership whether he was wearing the armband or not.
More than anything, though, Ramos is best known for being one of the highest-scoring defenders of all time, with 123 goals in 841 appearances. He’s still going strong in this regard, too; 11 years after scoring the decisive equalizing goal in the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final, Ramos, now playing for Monterrey, found the back of the net vs. Inter Milan in their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opener. Ramos was one of nine center backs to score in the tournament alongside Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo, Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, Fluminense’s Juan Pablo Freytes, Auckland City’s Christian Gray, Benfica’s Nicolás Otamendi, Al-Hilal’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Flamengo’s Danilo, and Botafogo’s Jair Cunha. All things considered, he has scored 6 goals in 25 appearances for Monterrey.
Since departing Real Madrid in 2021 and ending a legendary spell that saw him win 22 major honors, Ramos has bounced around from Paris Saint-Germain to Sevilla to Monterrey. Even as he approaches 40 years of age, Ramos is still delivering the goods in Mexico. He ranks first in their squad for accurate passes per game (70.7), accurate long balls per game (8.2), as well as first for clearances per game (5.0) and interceptions per game (1.3), and, unsurprisingly, yellow cards (6).
Ramos hasn’t just delivered a legendary career at the club level, but he’s done so at the international level as well. Not only does he rank ninth for goals scored (23) for the Spanish national team, but he’s also made 180 appearances for Spain, 13 more than second-placed Iker Casillas. And whilst Ramos’ time with La Roja is now in the rearview mirror, he can be proud of the fact that he helped Spain achieve an unprecedented dynasty. He helped Spain win their first trophy in 44 years with the 2008 Euros, before leading them to a first-ever World Cup trophy in 2010 and a second-straight European Championship in 2012. From Spain’s Euro 2012 squad, only Raúl Albiol, Javi Martínez, Pedro Rodríguez, Santi Cazorla, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Ramos and Juan Mata are still playing (Ramos is the only active player who started). From the 2008 squad, only Albiol, Cazorla and Ramos are still playing.
Two of the 2010 World Cup winners / Euro 2012 winners, however, will be hanging up their boots soon, with Busquets and Alba set to retire following the end of the 2025 Inter Miami season. Ramos wasted no time in congratulating his former teammate and rival, stating, “Busi, you are the definition of how to be exceptional without stopping to be a normal guy. Rival most of the time, teammate many other times, you’ve always stood out for your classy football, vision and quality, and for your humble and authentic way of being. Football loses one of the brightest midfielders I’ve played with, but you’re leaving with the recognition and gratitude of all of us who’ve shared time with you and of all those who love this sport. Thanks for being a great player, a great teammate, and a great friend. I wish you the best for your new stage.”
Just two weeks later, Ramos delivered another goodbye message, this time to Alba:” My dear Jordi, how many adventures, confrontations, and moments we have shared. How many successes and triumphs we have enjoyed together with our National Team. You leave as a great from the left wing and a great of Spanish football. Football will miss you, but it will always remember you. Enjoy the next stage with the family.”
At 39 years of age, it remains to be seen just how much longer Sergio Ramos will be continuing his footballing career, but one thing’s for sure: he will go down as one of the greatest players to wear the Spain kit and the Real Madrid kit, and one of the greatest defenders to ever play the game.
