La Liga dominates amongst the top 10 central defenders in the world, but is Sergio Ramos the true pick of the bunch?
Sergio Ramos earned the 25th red card of his Real Madrid career during the 2-1 La Liga defeat against Girona, but he will not miss the upcoming Clasico clashes against Barcelona.
Ramos was sent off for two bookings, the first of which was earned in the 64th minute when he gave away a penalty after handling an Aleix Garcia shot.
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The second came in the closing moments, a high boot from Ramos deep inside the Girona penalty area brought a second yellow and his 20th dismissal in La Liga for Madrid, and 25th in all competitions.
Ramos will receive a one-match ban, which will be served in the La Liga game away to Levante on Feb. 24 and leave him free to play in the back-to-back Bernabeu Clasicos in the Copa del Rey on Feb. 27 and La Liga on March 2.
The defeat means Madrid are two points behind second-placed Atletico, who moved above their city rivals with victory at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, and nine points adrift of leaders Barcelona.
Ramos made headlines in midweek after admitting to deliberately picking up a late booking in the Champions League round of 16 first-leg win against Ajax.
He could face a two-match Champions League suspension for the caution after UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him on Thursday.
"With the result, I would be lying if I said I did not force [the yellow card], it was something I had in mind," Ramos said. "It is not about underestimating the opponent or thinking the tie is already over.
"But, in football, there are difficult decisions to make and I decided to do it."
An hour later, Ramos took to Twitter to clarify his earlier comments.
"In a game with a lot of tension, emotions and pulses racing, you must make decisions in seconds," the tweet read. "The best thing about today is the result.
"The worst is not being able to play in the return game with my teammates and the tie still up for grabs. I want to leave it clear that I am hurting more than anybody, that I did not force the card, just like I did not in previous Champions League game against Roma. I will support the team from the stands like any other fan, looking forward to being in the quarterfinals."
Source: espn.co.uk