Top 10 Players With Most Red Cards In Football History

In football, there exists a select group of players whose fiery passion often spilled over into moments of indiscretion, resulting in a plethora of red cards. These players, though undeniably talented, were also notorious for their disciplinary issues, leaving a trail of cautionary tales and unforgettable incidents on the pitch. From aggressive tackles to petulant outbursts, their playing styles often courted controversy, earning them a place in the annals of football history as the "Naughty XI."

At the helm of this notorious lineup stands Gerardo Bedoya, whose staggering tally of 46 red cards epitomizes his combative approach to the game. Alongside him, defensive stalwarts like Pablo Alfaro and Alexis Ruano Delgado formed a formidable barrier, unafraid to put their bodies on the line, often with reckless abandon. In midfield, Cyril Rool and Edgar Davids added steel and tenacity, while flair and trickery were provided by the likes of Ricardo Quaresma and Zlatan Ibrahimovi? on the wings. Up front, the iconic Francesco Totti led the line with his trademark passion and zeal.

This article delves into the careers of these ten players, exploring the highs and lows of their journeys, from moments of brilliance to lapses in judgment. Despite their flaws, they remain unforgettable figures in the world of football, leaving behind a legacy that is as captivating as it is cautionary.

Footballers With Most Red Cards in 2024

• Gerardo Bedoya (Central Midfield) - 46 red cards
• Pablo Alfaro (Center-back) - 27 red cards
• Cyril Rool (Central Midfield) - 27 red cards
• Sergio Ramos (Right-back) - 29 red cards
• Alexis Ruano Delgado (Center-back) - 22 red cards
• Paolo Montero (Left-back) - 21 red cards
• Edgar Davids (Central Midfield) - 25 red cards
• Ricardo Quaresma (Right Wing) - 14 red cards
• Zlatan Ibrahimovi? (Left Wing) - 15 red cards
• Francesco Totti (Striker) - 16 red card

1. Gerardo Bedoya (Central Midfield) - 46 red cards

Gerardo Bedoya, known for his aggressive style of play, holds the record for the most red cards in football history, being sent off 46 times. The Colombian midfielder spent most of his career in South America and earned 49 caps for his national team.

One notable incident was during the Bogota derby between Independiente Santa Fe and Millonarios in 2012, where Bedoya received a red card for elbowing and kicking Millonarios player Jhonny Ramirez in the head. This action led to a 15-match suspension for Bedoya.

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Affectionately nicknamed 'The Beast' for his tough tackling and aggressive play, Bedoya's reputation as a fierce competitor is well-deserved. Even in retirement, his disciplinary issues continued, as he was dismissed from the dugout just 21 minutes into his first coaching role as an assistant manager with Santa Fe in 2016.

2. Pablo Alfaro (Center-back) - 27 red cards

Pablo Alfaro, a Spanish center-back, spent the majority of his career at Sevilla, playing there for five years between 2000 and 2005. Known for his tough style of play, he had the second most red cards in La Liga history, with 18 dismissals.

Alfaro's time at Sevilla overlapped with Sergio Ramos' early career, suggesting a possible influence on Ramos' aggressive style of play. The two played together in defense 28 times, accumulating over 50 red cards between them. Despite his reputation on the field, Alfaro also has a medical degree and currently manages Real Murcia, showcasing the different facets of his personality and career.

3. Cyril Rool (Central Midfield) - 27 red cards

Cyril Rool, known for his tough-tackling style, spent his entire career in France, playing for clubs like Bastia, Lens, Bordeaux, Nice, and Marseille. He accumulated 366 appearances before retiring from professional football. Rool held the record for the most red cards in Europe's top five leagues with 19, a record later surpassed by Sergio Ramos.

In addition to his red card tally, Rool also received 187 yellow cards in Ligue 1, a record that still stands today. Despite his disciplinary issues, Rool had a successful career, winning the Coupe de la Ligue in the 1998/99 season with Lens.

While Rool may have been a talented footballer, his tough-tackling nature and frequent disciplinary problems will likely be remembered as his defining characteristics in the sport.

4. Sergio Ramos (Right-back) - 29 red cards

Sergio Ramos received his latest red card playing for Sevilla against Real Sociedad in November 2023. This marked his 29th red card, the highest in football since 2000. Despite this, he has never been sent off while playing for Spain, despite his record 180 appearances for La Roja. Ramos' previous red card was in October 2022, indicating a possible change in his behavior as he matures.

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Throughout his career, Ramos has been known for his trophies, key moments, and late goals in the Champions League. However, he has also been frequently involved in disciplinary issues. Despite his talent and achievements, his high number of red cards has tainted his reputation as one of the sport's greatest players.

5. Alexis Ruano Delgado (Center-back) - 22 red cards

Alexis Ruano Delgado, known as 'Alexis,' had a career mainly in Spain, playing for clubs like Malaga, Getafe, Valencia, Sevilla, and Alaves. He began his career strongly by winning the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2004. Despite short stints in Turkey with Be?ikta? and in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli, he was frequently involved in disciplinary issues wherever he played.

Alexis retired from football in 2020 after playing for Racing Santander, known for being one of the most frequently red-carded players in the sport's history. Over his 18-year career, he received 22 red cards, with one of the most notable incidents being when he punched Croatia's Mario Mandzukic, resulting in a four-match suspension.

6. Paolo Montero (Left-back) - 21 red cards

Paolo Montero, known for his Uruguayan fighting spirit, received 21 red cards during his career. The aggressive left-back spent 13 years in Serie A, four with Atalanta and nine with Juventus. Montero holds the record for the most red cards in Serie A history, having been sent off 15 times in 267 Italian top-flight games.

His disciplinary record equates to being shown a red card once every 18 games, highlighting his combative style of play. Montero was renowned for his tough defending and aggression, earning him a place in The Times' list of the 50 hardest footballers in history in 2007. His defensive prowess was acknowledged by Ryan Giggs, who described him and his Juventus teammate Ciro Ferrara as "the toughest defenders I have ever played against," as reported by the Telegraph.

7. Edgar Davids (Central Midfield) - 25 red cards

Edgar Davids, known as "The Pitbull," was one of the greatest and most technical midfielders of his generation. He began his career at Ajax, winning three league titles and the Champions League in 1995. Davids went on to play for AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Tottenham Hotspur before retiring in 2014 after a player/manager role with Barnet.

Despite his exceptional skill, Davids had a tendency to receive red cards. He was sent off 25 times during his career, including in his final game for Barnet. Davids, now an assistant for the Netherlands national team, is also remembered for his distinctive glasses and aggressive playing style, often resulting in a red card for a hard tackle.

8. Ricardo Quaresma (Right Wing) - 14 red cards

Ricardo Quaresma, known for his skill and flair as a winger, surprisingly received 14 red cards during his career. The Portuguese player featured for clubs like Sporting CP, Porto, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea. His most disciplinary issues arose during his time at Besiktas, where he was sent off nine times.

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Described by Marco Monteiro of FIFA.com as "insanely talented and equally temperamental," Quaresma's career was marked by moments of brilliance and moments of indiscipline. While he was once seen as the next Cristiano Ronaldo, Quaresma's highlight reel is more notable for his red cards than his goals, a contrast to his compatriot's career.

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovi? (Left Wing) - 15 red cards

Zlatan Ibrahimovi?, known for his composed demeanor, has also shown moments of petulance on the field, leading to several red cards. The legendary striker received three red cards while at Paris Saint-Germain and was sent off four times during his two spells with AC Milan. One memorable incident was when he retaliated against Materazzi during the 2010 Milan derby.

Despite the severity of some of his actions, such as the incident with Materazzi, Ibrahimovi? was rarely involved in reckless tackles. Instead, his red cards often stemmed from moments of misconduct or retaliation. Despite his occasional hot-headedness, Ibrahimovi? is widely recognized for his exceptional skill and contribution to the sport.

10. Francesco Totti (Striker) - 16 red cards

Francesco Totti, known for his passionate play at Roma, received 16 red cards during his career, all while playing for his boyhood club. One notable incident occurred in 2010 when he was sent off for a reckless challenge on Mario Balotelli during a match against Inter Milan, leading to a four-match Coppa Italia ban. Totti later revealed that he considered retirement following that red card.

Despite his occasional disciplinary issues, Totti was a technically brilliant player and a key figure for Roma throughout his career. His passion for the club and his desire to win sometimes led to moments of heated play, resulting in red cards.

Imagine if this XI actually lined up in a match during their career. The chances are the game wouldn't finish due to too many red cards! This team is full of tough-tackling and aggressive players, yet it also features technically gifted players, especially in the forward department. With a strong defensive line, a midfield trio of Davids, Rool, and Bedoya, and an attacking trio of Quaresma, Ibrahimovi?, and Totti, this team would be both entertaining and challenging to play against.