Top 10 players with the most red cards in football

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. We will look into it down below. But today, let us find out who are the 10 players with the most red cards in football.

What is a Red Card?

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 that 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 the 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.

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 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 their 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. Jurgen 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.

10 Players with the most red cards in world football

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.

Gary Medel – 18

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.

Fernando Amorebiata – 19

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.

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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. It also played a key role in him accumulating 20 red cards.

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 centreback.

He was famous for violent tackles and was sent off against Barcelona. Melo assisted Robinho at the quarters of the 2010 World Cup as Brazil took the lead. He then violently stamped 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.

Rafael Marquez – 21

Marquez, nicknamed “El Kaiser” is regarded as one the best defender in Mexico’s history. He is also considered one of the best Mexcian 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 out 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.

Paolo Montero – 21

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. He headbutted an opponent to receive a second consecutive red card while playing for Juventus.

Alexis Ruano Delegado – 22

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. Delegado was in high demand as he signed for Valencia instead of Real Madrid.

Delegado was sent off in a heated clash against Atletico Madrid as he took a swipe at Mario Mandzukic.

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 170 yellow cards. His infamous obscene gesture towards the opponents’ bench of Monaco earned him a red in 2003.

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-Clasicos. Ramos also registered the highest number of red cards in La Liga’s history. He also often receives second yellow cards after silly fouls.

Gerardo Bedoya – 46

The player with the most number of red cards in world football almost has twice as many red cards as the second most 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 Jhonny Ramirez and then went for a kick to the head in the Bogota derby. This major offence got his suspended for 15 games. He was also sent off many times even after that incident.

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