Headstrong: Ramos keeps rising on football's biggest stages

It shouldn't be news — and yet, it is. Because many thought Sergio Ramos' best days belonged in the photo albums. Those intense training clips online were a little more than show. And yet, here he is. In Monterrey's opening draw against Inter, he was the scorer, the leader. The man was made for these moments. Still determined to defy time.

There is no room in his head for anything but leading. Quite literally — as he once again scored with his head. A trademark Ramos goal - finding a pocket of space, planting his legs firmly, hanging in the air and powering home a header with the authority of a natural-born striker. A goal to remember — for many reasons.

First, because it made him the oldest player ever to score in the Club World Cup. Just 24 hours after Otamendi and Di Maria had briefly reshaped the all-time podium, Ramos raised the bar once more. It's the story of his career — to break records.

Walking the path of legends

It was also his third Club World Cup in which he's scored (2014, 2018 and 2025), drawing level with a feat only Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi had achieved before him - the record stands at four.

Of the 147 goals he has celebrated in his career, this was his 35th with a header — his signature move, alongside penalties. Inter Milan had already suffered it five years ago in the Champions League, and now they join Betis and Osasuna as his most frequent victims by way of aerial dominance.

But Ramos, now with Monterrey, is no stranger to these battles. This was his 43rd goal in a knockout competition — across nine different tournaments.

Sergio Ramos' career goals by competition

76 goals in La Liga

18 goals in the Champions League

9 goals in the Copa del Rey

8 goals in Euro qualifiers

5 goals in World Cup qualifiers

5 goals in the Nations League

5 goals in international friendlies

4 goals in the Club World Cup

4 goals in Ligue 1

3 goals in Liga MX Clausura

2 goals in the Spanish Super Cup

2 goals in the UEFA Super Cup

2 goals in Segunda B

1 goal in the Europa League

1 goal in the Coupe de France

1 goal in the Trophee des Champions

1 goal in the CONCACAF Champions Cup