Barcelona's veteran Gerard Pique, a Barcelona native, equalled a long-standing Champions League record with Wednesday's 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev. He scored the only goal to set Barca's group stage goalscoring record.
Pique, who scored the goal, was tied with Roberto Carlos of Real Madrid as the joint-highest scorer in Champions League history. Barca's centre-back, aged 34, scored 16 goals in the competition to beat Kiev and match the total of the former Brazil left-back.
Pique's accomplishment was made even more sweeter by the fact that he now ranks above Sergio Ramos on all-time lists. He shared second place with ElClasico nemesis, his former Spain teammate with 15 goals apiece. (Stream Barcelona vs. Real Madrid LIVE Oct. 24, on ESPN+ in America).
Pique scored the first two goals for Manchester United in their 2007-08 Champions League-winning campaign. Since then, 14 more European goals have been scored for Barcelona by Pique -- the same number as Ronaldinho's for the Catalans during the same competition.
Barca has not lost any of the 14 Champions League matches in which Pique scored goals. Pique considers Dynamo Kiev a lucky charm. Three of his Champions League goals against Ukraine have been scored by him, the first for Manchester United and the second with Barca.
Pique, now 34 years old and 260 days, is Barca's oldest goal-scorer in the Champions League. This surpasses the record held by Sylvinho (33.4 years, 241 days).
Pique now ranks at the top of the all time Champions League goal-scoring defenses list. The top six scorers have shared 655 appearances and 18 titles in the competition, with big names representing many eras.
How to watch ElClasico live on ESPN+ (U.S.).
- ESPN+ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more (U.S.)
- Do you not have ESPN? Get instant access
Roberto Carlos (16 goals in 128 games)
Roberto Carlos is a legend for his long-range and fearless free kicks. He won three Champions Leagues during his Real Madrid career.
Gerard Pique (16 goals, 124 appearances).
Pique, who was a youngster at Manchester United and won the Champions League in 2007, has since gone on to be a fixture of the competition for Barca. He has now added three more titles to his collection. Pique is more than a standard centre-back. This silky win against Inter proves it.
ElClsico FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid on ESPN+ FC Barcelona -- undoubtedly the greatest rivalry of international soccer -- will be back Sunday, October 24, at 10:15 AM. ET Register now to stream ElClsico live on ESPN+
Ivan Helguera (15 goals in 84 appearances)
Helguera was a utility player for Real Madrid for many years. Helguera won twice the Champions League with Los Blancos, before moving to Valencia. Real's most memorable goal was probably his 25-yard shot against Bayern Munich in 1999-2000's group stage. Unfortunately, it was only a consolation for a 4-1 loss.
Sergio Ramos (15 goals in 129 appearances)
Ramos is the only top-six defender to have scored in a Champions League final. He has also scored twice in two different finals during his Real Madrid days. They were scored against Atletico Madrid rivals in 2013-14 and 2015-16. The former was the dramatic 93rd minute equaliser that brought the final to an extra period before Real won "La Decima", their 10th European crown. Ramos hopes to increase his record at Paris Saint-Germain, even though injuries have prevented him from making his debut.
Dani Alves (12 goals, 114 appearances).
Alves was a three-time champion league winner with Barcelona. He also scored an impressive number of goals for right-backs before he left, first for Juventus, then for Paris Saint-Germain. Alves, in his 30s, still has the ability to hit the target. As Alves' 10 goals during his two-year stint at Sao Paulo show.
Christian Panucci (11 goals, 76 appearances).
Italy's most renowned international right-back, the respected Italy international right back, represented AS Roma and AC Milan in the Champions League. He also won the competition twice with Los Blancos and Rossoneri. The first victory was with Milan in 1993-1994, and the second came as part of the team that ended 1997-1998.
