Real Madrid Believes Blancos star is benefiting from bad marking

Sergio Ramos: LaLiga's false nine

Sergio Ramos' proficiency in front of goal is down to weak defending over any particular individual prowess, according to Juan Roman Riquelme.

With 10 goals for the season, the Real Madrid man has become his side's chief rescuer and demonstrated his salience to the Blancos on the weekend, bagging the winner against Real Betis.

"In South America, they mark in a different way," the ex-Barcelona midfielder told Canal 13.

"They wouldn't let Sergio Ramos get a run going, he wouldn't score a goal."

Riquelme also considered how Barcelona would get on without his countryman Lionel Messi, giving a realistic impression of the Catalans' prowess without the man he considers to be the world's greatest.

"[They'd be] a regular team," said the Argentine. "But that's logical as he's the best player in the world.

"It'd be the same if you take Cristiano Ronaldo away from Real Madrid."