Barca Legend Koeman and Madrid Icon Sergio Ramos Make the List of Top 5 Most Prolific Defenders of All Time

• Ronald Koeman is unquestionably the greatest goal-scoring defender of all time and holds a special place in Barcelona history as a member of the ‘Dream Team’
• The Barcelona legend holds the record for the most goals scored by a defender in the history of the sport
• Koeman is not the only defender with a knack for scoring as he is joined on the list by Sergio Ramos, Laurent Blanc, Fernando Hierro and Daniel Passarella

The art of goal scoring is a subject attributed to forwards, while defenders have been saddled with the sole responsibility of shutting the opponent out by fair and occasionally foul means - that's on a lighter note.

Despite the herculean task of dealing with forwards, who have perfected their trade of finding the back of the net, a few defenders have also developed the habit of adding goal-scoring to their résumé.

Ranking the top 10 players with the most steals in an NBA game

NBA

A vast majority of goals scored by defenders are usually through set-pieces i.e. connecting to tailor-measured crosses from corner kicks or bravely taking rocket-like freekicks.

Either way, the crux of the matter is that regardless of their back-end role, defenders are more than capable of getting on the scoresheet.

Sports Brief takes a look at the crème de la crème of the most prolific defenders in the history of the sport:

5. Sergio Ramos - 130 goals

The Spanish defender, who began his career as a full-back, has carved a niche for himself as a leader on the field.

Standing at 1.84 metres, Ramos' superior aerial ability ensures he is a threat in the air. The former Real Madrid captain has managed to score two-thirds of his 130 career goals via a header.

FC Porto legends: Top 10 all-time greats for the Dragons

Football

Ramos netted on three occasions for Sevilla and a staggering 101 goals for Real Madrid. He currently has three for PSG and still counting.

4. Laurent Blanc - 154 goals

Nicknamed Le President due to his leadership qualities, Blanc played for a plethora of clubs including Montpellier, Napoli, Barcelona, Marseille, Inter Milan and Manchester United.

The 1998 World Cup winner played in a sweeper position as a centre-half but had an eye for goal - notching a staggering 154 goals across his journeyman career.

3. Fernando Hierro - 160 goals

A bona fide Madrid legend, Fernando Hierro was a fan favourite during his 14-year stint with Real Madrid, and was deployed primarily in the heart of the defence and occasionally as a defensive midfielder.

Hierro combined solid defensive play with an unlimited passing range interlaced with a surprising goal scoring talent.

The 54-year-old, who is into coaching after calling time on his career, mustered an eyewatering 160 goals according to statistics culled from Football Database.

New-look Barcelona show positive signs in defeat to Bayern

Football

2. Daniel Passarella - 175 goals

Just like the aforementioned players on the chart, Passarella was no different in terms of his leadership ability, his passion, and his organisational prowess on the field.

Nicknamed El Gran Capitán, Passarella starred in Argentina's 1978 World Cup triumph.

He became a legend in his native country with River Plate before crossing over to the Italian Serie A. Passarella has 175 goals in 450 career games. Not every striker scores as much.

1. Ronald Koeman - 239 goals

Koeman was a special talent during his playing days. Not only was he a defender who reads the game brilliantly, but he was also a prolific goal scorer.

He scored the winning goal in the 1992 Champions League final when Barcelona won their first European Cup.

The legendary Dutch defender was also the joint top scorer in the competition when they returned to the final in 1994.

Lewandowski strikes against struggling Elche earn Barca top spot

Football

Ex-Real Madrid star tops the list of best-paid defenders in the Premier League

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane is currently the best-paid defender in the Premier League.

The Real Madrid legend joined the Red Devils last summer for a fee believed to be around £41m, including add-ons.

The Frenchman is understood to have penned a four-year deal at Old Trafford, with the move seeing him become the highest earning defender in the English top-flight.