Top 10 Players With the Most Red Cards in Football History (2025 Updated)

Football is a contact sport. Pushing and shoving each other while competing for the ball is in the very fabric of the game. But to keep the game fair, the authorities have determined the extent to which that contact is permissible. If there is a violation, the punishment is awarded. No punishment in football is harsher than a red card. A red card might be awarded for multiple reasons.

The list has striking similarities from top to bottom, as all the players are either defenders or defensive midfielders. The nature of their positions makes them take the necessary risks to put their side out of trouble. Let us take a deep dive into the players with the most red cards in world football.

What Does a Red Card Mean in Football

A red card is the highest form of punishment on the field for a player who has violated the playing rules of the game. It immediately ejects the player from the field of play and gives a man disadvantage to his team. This is also called a sending-off. A player who is red-carded has to serve a suspension ranging from 1-3 games based on the severity of the offence.

The red card was invented by an English referee, Ken Aston, in the 1960s. He was inspired by the red traffic signal, which is used for stopping vehicles. Similarly, the red card is used to stop/send off players.

When is a Red Card awarded?

A red card is awarded for multiple reasons. Here are a few of the main reasons:

• A rash tackle with the intention of hurting the opposition player.
• Clashing with the opposition players.
• Verbally abusing opposition players or the referee.
• Making obscene gestures towards the opposition players.
• A 2^nd yellow card.
• Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
• Handball to deny a goal.
• Preventing the opposition from restarting play.

Also Read: Explain: What is a red card in football? How does it get overturned?

Impact of a Red Card on a Game

Red cards to different players impact the game in different ways. Also, the scoreline of the game at which a red card is issued also makes a world of a difference. These scenarios often test managers and teams in unexpected ways. The way they adapt to these situations tells a lot about their character.

If a goalkeeper receives a red card, an outfielder, usually a striker or a winger, is sacrificed for a substitute goalkeeper to enter the fray. Similarly, even if a defender gets sent off, most managers use the same strategy. It was on show this season when William Saliba of Arsenal was sent off and the manager, Mikel Arteta, replaced him by taking Raheem Sterling off.

If a midfielder gets sent off, it prevents the team from having its natural shape in the middle of the park. It severely prevents their attacking capacities. The same is true if a forward is dismissed as well.

If a team leading the game is reduced to 10, they tend to go extra defensive, giving the opposition a chance to grab an equaliser. If the game is level-headed when a player receives his marching orders, it’s wide open as any team can spring a surprise.

But a team receiving a red card when they are a goal down makes the comeback all the more impossible. They have to prioritise holding the fort first and before having any hope of making a comeback. Liverpool’s victory against Newcastle away in the 2023/2024 season was special for that reason.

Liverpool were down by a goal when their captain, Virgil van Dijk, was sent off. Jürgen Klopp didn’t change his players but tweaked his formation to hold Newcastle at bay. The work ethic of the players on the pitch was excellent, as it allowed them to launch a late comeback. Darwin Nunez came off the bench to score twice late in the game as Liverpool sealed a famous away victory.

Top 10 Players With Most Red Cards in Football History

10. Fernando Amorebiata – 19

At number 10 on our list of players with the most red cards in football, we have Fernando Amorebieta, who has been shown 19 red cards in his professional club career. The Venezuelan centre-back plied most of his trade in Spain with Athletic Bilbao. Even though he was born in South America, he met the eligibility criteria of the Basque club due to his ancestry.

At an imposing height of 6’4, he strikes fear into the opposition players. His most memorable red card was in the Basque derby against Real Sociedad. Fernando has made 398 club appearances in his career, during which he was shown 142 yellow cards and 19 red cards.

Appearances	Yellow Cards	Red Cards
398	142	19

9. Matteo Contini – 20

Contini was famous for his two-footed lunges and rough challenges. The defender started his career in Milan and spent a couple of seasons in Serie C. Coming from a country with calm center-backs, Contini is notoriously hot-headed.

He constantly argued with the referees whenever decisions didn’t go his way. Having played for clubs like AC Milan, Parma, Monza, and more, his consistency in irritating the referee with silly fouls makes him one of the players with most red cards in football history.

Appearances	Yellow Cards	Red Cards
534	162	20

8. Felipe Melo – 20

The Brazilian’s short temper is known across continents. He spent his time as a defensive midfielder and was also equally adept at center-back. With his professional club career lasting more than 2 decades, the Brazilian defender has played 804 games, during which he was shown 258 yellow cards and 20 red cards.

He was famous for violent tackles and was sent off against Barcelona. Melo assisted Robinho in the quarters of the 2010 World Cup as Brazil took the lead. He then violently stamped on Arjen Robben to receive a red card. It led to intense criticism in native Brazil, and he even got into a fight with the fans.

Appearances	Yellow Cards	Red Cards
804	258	20

7. Rafael Marquez – 21

Marquez, nicknamed “El Kaiser,” is regarded as one of the best defenders in Mexico’s history. He is also considered one of the best Mexican players of all time. Marquez played a key role in the great Monaco and Barcelona sides.

Marquez is usually known for his calmness on the ball, but he lets his temper get the better of him at times. He left a high boot on the chest of an opponent as Barcelona was losing a Champions League clash. Even for Mexico, he was sent off following a deliberate mid-ar head butt on Cobi Jones of the United States.

Appearances	Yellow Cards	Red Cards
633	150	21

Also Read: Liverpool players with the most red cards in Premier League

6. Paolo Montero – 21

Paolo Montero is termed as the toughest defender he has played against by Ryan Giggs. Such is his combative nature, combined with his talents in the defensive third. Montero holds the unwanted record of receiving the most red cards in the history of Serie A, making him one of the players with the most red cards in football history.

He headbutted an opponent to receive a second consecutive red card while playing for Juventus. he has played for top Serie A clubs like Juventus and Atalanta and has made more than 436 club appearances, during which he was shown 70 yellow cards and 21 red cards.

Appearances	Yellow Cards	Red Cards
436	70	21

5. Alexis Ruano Delgado – 22

Alexis Ruano Delgado was a highly technical, no-nonsense defender who played for many clubs in Spain. He was born and bred in Andalusia before making a move to Valencia. He was in high demand as he signed for Valencia instead of Real Madrid. Delgado was sent off in a heated clash against Atletico Madrid as he took a swipe at Mario Mandzukic.

His club career spanned over a decade, during which he played 428 games for several clubs. With 135 yellow cards and 22 red cards, he is one of the players with the most red cards in football history.

Appearances	Yellow Cards	Red Cards
428	135	22

4. Cyril Rool – 25

Rool is a midfielder who finds himself this high on the list of players with the most red cards in world football. He is well-known for his aggressive nature on the field. Rool is not the one to shy away from fights. He has accumulated 25 red cards along with a staggering 177 yellow cards.

His infamous obscene gesture towards the opponents’ bench of Monaco earned him a red card in 2003. He was one of the players with most red cards in the history of football.

Appearances	Yellow Cards	Red Cards
443	177	25

Also Read: What are the Yellow Card, Red Cards, and Penalty Cards in Football?

3. Edgar Davids – 25

Fondly called the “Pit Bull”, Medel started as a midfielder before being converted to a central defender. Medel started his career in his native Chile before moving to Argentina. His travels took him to Spain, where he was notoriously known for his aggressive tackling. It resulted in many send-offs.

The two-time Copa America winner with Chile was well known for his altercations with Lionel Messi. He was sent off following clashes with Messi in 2011 as well as in 2019. In 581 club career appearances, Edgar Davids has been shown 106 yellow cards and 22 red cards.

Appearances	Yellow Cards	Red Cards
581	106	22

2. Sergio Ramos – 27

Often regarded as the best centre-back of all time, Ramos is also known for his reckless side. In his illustrious career, he lifted multiple Champions Leagues, league titles and even a World Cup. The right-back turned centre-back played a crucial part in winning all those titles.

His defensive reading is a bit too rash at times, as he takes his frustrations out on opponents. He was sent off multiple times against sworn rivals Barcelona in multiple El Clásicos. Ramos also registered the highest number of red cards in La Liga’s history. He also often receives a second yellow card after committing silly fouls.

Appearances	Yellow Cards	Red Cards
825	244	30

1. Gerardo Bedoya – 46

For all the fans wondering who has the most red cards in football history? Well, the answer is Gerardo Bedoya. The player with the most number of red cards in world football almost has 1.5 times as many red cards as the second-most red-carded player. The Colombian defensive midfielder has a lot of bite in his tackles and his temper is something that gets flared very soon.

In 2012, Bedoya infamously elbowed Johnny Ramirez and then went for a kick to the head in the Bogota derby. This major offence got him suspended for 15 games, making him one of the players with the most red cards in football history. He was also sent off many times, even after that incident.

Appearances	Yellow Cards	Red Cards
319	118	46

List of Players With Most Red Cards in Football History

S No	Player	Red Cards	Club	Country
1	Gerardo Bedoya	46	Retired	Colombia
2	Sergio Ramos	30	CF Monterrey	Spain
3	Edgar Davids	25	Retired	Netherlands
4	Cyril Rool	25	Retired	France
5	Alexis Ruano Delgado	22	Retired	Spain
6	Paolo Montero	21	Retired	Uruguay
7	Rafael Marquez	21	Retired	Mexico
8	Felipe Melo	20	Retired	Brazil
9	Matteo Contini	20	Retired	Italy
10	Fernando Amorebieta	19	Retired	Venezuela

Also Read: Explain: What is a red card in football? How does it get overturned?

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