Few defenders in La Liga have had a greater impact than Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos. Both players have made significant contributions to the accomplishments of their respective clubs throughout their lengthy, successful careers in Spain’s top flight.
However, the question remains: Who had a greater influence in La Liga? We will compare the La Liga careers of Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol in order to provide an answer to this question, taking into account the accomplishments, influence on his teams, and individual performances of each player.
Early career
Sergio Ramos made his professional debut in 2004 in the city of Sevilla, where he started his career when he was 18 years old. He became one of the best young defenders in La Liga quickly, and Real Madrid noticed his abilities. In the summer of 2005, Real Madrid paid a record-breaking €27 million for Ramos, a Spanish defender at the time.
After progressing through Barcelona’s youth divisions, Carles Puyol made his first-team debut in 1999. He quickly established himself as a formidable defender and team captain. Puyol was well-known for his willingness to risk everything for his club and his never-say-die attitude.
Achievements
Both players have had outstanding careers in terms of accomplishments. Sergio Ramos played for Real Madrid for 16 seasons, from 2005 to 2021, while Carles Puyol played for Barcelona for 15 seasons from 1999 to 2014. During this time, both players won the Copa del Rey, La Liga, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Champions League with their respective clubs.
Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos has won five La Liga titles, while Barcelona’s Carles Puyol has won six. Having played in La Liga for a longer period of time than Puyol, Ramos has numerically had a greater chance of winning the title. Ramos was also a big part of Real Madrid winning four Champions League titles between 2014 and 2016, which Puyol couldn’t do.
impact on individual and team performance
Both Ramos and Puyol contributed significantly to their teams’ success on and off the field. Since they were the club’s leaders, their rivals and teammates have admired them.
Ramos was well-known for his aggressive play and tendency to score a lot of goals. He was a versatile player who could play defensive midfield, right back, and center back, among other positions. He was a valuable asset for Real Madrid because he could take over whenever and wherever it was needed.
In contrast, Puyol was well-known for his toughness and superior defensive skills. He was always reliable and never let his team down, despite the fact that he was never the most glamorous player on the field. At the back, he formed a formidable partnership with Gerard Pique.
In terms of their individual performances, both players have had some exceptional moments in the La Liga competition. A remarkable feat for a defender is that Sergio Ramos has scored 74 goals in the competition. He has also won the La Liga Best Defender award five times and been included in the FIFA FIFPRO World XI a whopping 11 times.