In football, a defender’s primary job is to stop the opposition from scoring goals. Although the role of full-backs has changed slightly over the years, with them becoming more attacking, their primary purpose is still keeping the opposition out.
However, there is a group of defenders who have also been highly effective in finding the net as well. But who are the most prolific defenders in the history of football?
Ronald Koeman (253 goals scored for club and country)
The former Netherlands international had an extraordinary record in front of goal, as he scored 253 goals in his playing career for club and country. That tally is impressive for an attacking player, let alone a player who spent the majority of his career in defence, with a short period as a defensive midfielder.
Koeman was a set-piece specialist, taking penalty kicks and, most notably, free-kicks. However, he also scored goals from distance, as his long-distance shooting was excellent.
Here’s Ronald Koeman scoring some really, really good goals. pic.twitter.com/bsrr5GmjKV
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) October 21, 2020
Although he played for all three Dutch giants PSV, Ajax and Feyenoord, the highest goal tally of his career came during six years at Catalan giants Barcelona, as he fired home 88 goals, never failing to get into double figures in any of his seasons with the club.
Koeman also scored 14 goals for the Netherlands in 78 appearances over his 11-year career with the Oranje. Considering his ability with the ball, he would likely have thrived in any era of the game.
When he hung up his boots, the former Barcelona player had two stints as the Netherlands’ head coach, including at the time of writing.
Daniel Passarella (175 goals scored for club and country)
The Argentinian legend was regarded as one of the world’s centre-backs and sweepers during his playing career from 1971 until 1989. During that time, he had two spells at River Plate while also appearing for Italian giants Inter and compatriots Fiorentina.
His status as one of the best players in his position was made even more impressive by the fact that he is just 5ft 7.
He scored an incredible 175 goals at the club and international levels, which is a respectable tally for most forwards.
Passarella also represented his country on 70 occasions, scoring 22 goals and winning the World Cup twice in 1978 and 1986. Like Koeman, Passarella also had a spell as the head coach of his national team.
Fernando Hierro (163 goals scored for club and country)
The former Spanish international began his playing career with Real Valladolid before a massive move to giants Real Madrid. Hierro spent the majority of his career with Los Blancos, as he played for the capital club for 14 years.
He ended his playing career with a stint in Qatar, playing for Al-Rayyan before hanging his boots up after one season in the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers.
Throughout his career, the Spaniard had an expert knack for scoring goals, bagging an excellent 163 goals. Like Koeman, Hierro also played as a defensive midfielder at times. Whether he played as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder, his goal tally is still impressive.
Hierro’s most prolific campaign came in season 1991/92, as he scored 26 goals in all competitions. The following season, he also scored 18 times.
At international level, Hierro also scored 29 goals in 89 appearances for La Roja, which makes the defender the sixth-highest scorer in his country’s history. He later managed his country for a short period.
Laurent Blanc (153 goals scored for club and country)
The centre-back enjoyed a long and illustrious playing career, which involved playing for, amongst others, Montpellier, Napoli, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Manchester United. He made over 700 appearances at club level and 97 for France, captaining Les Bleus to 1998 World Cup glory and scoring 16 goals. He later managed his national team from 2010 until 2012.
Blanc’s most prolific period in front of goal came while playing for his first club, Montpellier, as he got into double figures in three straight seasons from 1988 until 1991, with his highest goal tally coming in season 1988/89, when he scored 15 times.
Sergio Ramos (147 goals scored for club and country)
The defender is the only still active player on our list at the time of writing after he joined Mexican outfit Monterrey at the age of 38.
Ramos started his career with his home city club, Sevilla, before moving to Real Madrid, where he enjoyed a trophy-laden 16-year career where he won numerous trophies, including five La Liga titles and the Champions League on four occasions.
The former Spanish international regularly contributed vital goals for the club from the Spanish capital. His two most prolific campaigns in front of goal came in back-to-back seasons for Los Blancos, as he scored 11 goals in 2018/19 and 13 times in 2019/20.
Ramos made an incredible 180 appearances for Spain at international level, which is a record, scoring 23 times. During his career with La Roja, He won the European Championship twice with Spain in 2008 and 2012, and also the World Cup in 2010.
