Sergio Ramos has once again stolen headlines with his heroics. The Spanish defender converted a penalty in the 79th minute to equalize against Lens in a UCL game on December 14, 2023. The goal was very special as it cemented a special position for Ramos in the league of defenders. Sergio Ramos has become the highest-scoring defender in the Champions League history.
🇪🇸 Sergio Ramos has scored 17 goals in Champions League — more than any other defender.
First goal when he was 18 in 2005 at Sevilla… and he’s still making Champions League history. pic.twitter.com/ctLEXSO4U3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 13, 2023
That was Sergio Ramos’ 17th goal in the completion, more than any other defender. It took Ramos 18 years to complete the tally as his first-ever goal came in the year 2005. Despite Ramos’ remarkable achievement, Sevilla went on to lose 2-1 to French team RC Lens on the night. The Andalusian club finished bottom of their group as they got knocked out of European football.
Sergio Ramos’ 17th UCL goal. Scores a Panenka and then gets booked. 👀 pic.twitter.com/sMFfGi4ix5
— AFC Prince (@AFCprince_) December 13, 2023
Ramos’ first-ever goal in the Champions League was for his present club Sevilla against Club Brugge on October 1, 2025. The goal came from a free-kick that was headed home by the Spanish defender. Sergio Ramos was only 18 at the time.
The 37-year-old then went on to score many goals in the competition, especially during his 16-year stay at Real Madrid. It was in Madrid where Ramos solidified his status as an elite defender. Ramos won four Champions Leagues for Los Blancos, captaining in three of the triumphs.
Nobody can forget his equalizing header in the extra time of the 2013/14 Champions League Final against Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid went on to win the match and clinch their 10th Champions League title, more famously known as La Decima.
However, the list of top-scoring defenders in UCL history has some elite names in it. Ramos had to go past many legends to achieve this feat.
Who are the defenders with the most number of goals in UCL history?
Sergio Ramos eclipsed Gerard Pique as the highest-scoring defender in the Champions League. Pique has scored 14 goals for FC Barcelona during his 14-year tenure at the Catalan club. Whereas, the Spanish legend also scored two goals for Manchester United in the early days of his career. Interestingly, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos were both teammates for the Spanish National Soccer Team.
Highest-scoring defenders in competition history:
⚽️1⃣7⃣ Sergio Ramos
⚽️1⃣6⃣ Gerard Piqué
⚽️1⃣6⃣ Roberto Carlos
⚽️1⃣5⃣ Iván Helguera#UCL pic.twitter.com/14Uw8rhnlB— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 12, 2023
The next on the list is Real Madrid Legend Roberto Carlos, who like Gerard Pique has 16 goals to his name. Fans know the Brazilian left-back for his electric speed and thunderbolt-like free kicks. Roberto Carlos played for Los Blancos for 11 years, where he scored 71 goals for the club.
Ivan Helguera completes our list of the highest-scoring defenders. The Spanish soccer player was a utility player for Real Madrid for whom he scored 15 goals in 84 appearances. Helguera was a very versatile player who could play many positions like Center Back, Defensive Midfielder, etc. Ivan Helguera won 2 Champions League in his 8-year stint with Los Blancos before moving to La Liga Club Valencia.