When you think about LaLiga records, you’re automatically drawn to things like Lionel Messi’s haul of 405 goals and counting, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 34 hat-tricks and personal ratio of 1.07 goals per game, and Messi’s single-season record of 50 goals. Those are records that rightly seem untouchable; these are spectacular times indeed.
But in the land of Spain, in the confines of the Santiago Bernabéu, there is another record that’ll likely never be touched: Sergio Ramos’ collection of 20 red cards in LaLiga. Ramos' 20th in domestic play is a record across Europe's top five leagues.
Today, during Real Madrid’s shock 2-1 defeat to Girona at the Bernabéu, Ramos conceded a penalty in the 65th minute which allowed Girona to equalize, and then, while pushed forward in search of a late equalizer, the Spanish defender was sent off for a second bookable offense — this one being a dangerously high boot on an attempted overhead kick from nearly 18 yards out. Overall, it's the 25th time he's been given his marching orders as a professional.
Liverpool, Sevilla and Barcelona fans rejoice.
The defeat was Real's first in eight matches across all competitions, and Real has now been overtaken by Atletico in the table. With 14 matches remaining, Barcelona holds a seven-point lead.
In total, Ramos has 146 bookings in 454 LaLiga games. He’s the most carded Real Madrid player ever, the most carded LaLiga player ever, the most carded Champions League player ever and the most carded player in El Clásico history.
Of course, the 32-year-old is also a four-time LaLiga winner, a four-time Champions League winner, a World Cup winner and a two-time European Championship winner (he's never been sent off in 161 caps for Spain). Obviously getting booked all the time is a small price to pay in the face of such overwhelming achievement.
But he's the type of player only a Madridista can love.