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A game like football is filled with passion, skill, and intense moments. In a fast paced sport like this, player discipline and sportsmanship in the field of play matters a lot. We have witnessed players crossing the line multiple times and get a Yellow Card for it.
Sometimes, things get too far and even leads to a sanction of Red Card. These cards are direct consequences of actions that are too serious for a game.
But what exactly is it and who has the most red cards in football history? We will answer all of it for you here.
Understanding the Red Card
A red card is one of the most severe penalties a player can receive during a match. It is a physical card that the referee holds up to show a player as to warrant their removal from the game.
Once a player receives the card, they must leave the game immediately and cannot be replaced by another teammate. This marks a disadvantage for the team as they has to play with one less player for the rest of the match.
It also leads to suspension as the red-carded player faces a ban from playing in future matches. The length of the ban depends on severity of the offense.
When is a Red Card awarded?
Red cards are given for serious offenses. These can include:
- Serious foul play: for example- a two-footed tackle from behind
- Violent conduct such as physical aggression towards match officials, opponent, or others.
- Any act of spitting (at an opponent or other person)
- Denying an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO)
- Using offensive, insulting, or abusive language or gestures
- Receiving a second Yellow Card in the same match
Who has the most Red Cards in Football?
The highest count of red cards received by a player is 46 in the history of football. We have prepared an accurate list of Top 10 players who received it the most times. This includes some popular names from around the globe.
Get ready to read them all:
10. Fernando Amorebiata (19 red cards) | Venezuela
- Apperances: 398
- Red Cards: 19
- Yellow Cards: 142
The former Venezuelan centre-back, Fernando Amorebiata, holds the 10th position with 19 red cards in his career. Known for his physical defensive style, and an imposing height of 6'4, his presence in the backline for clubs like Athletic Bilbao was always felt.
He left his mark as a feared defender, who often intimidated the opponents, a little too forcefully, which led to this number of red cards.
9. Matteo Contini (20 red cards) | Italy
- Appearances: 534
- Red Cards: 20
- Yellow Cards: 162
The Italian defender Matteo Contini had an aggressive and commited approach to winning, that often got him at the centre of heated moments. Throughout his career with various Italian clubs like Parma and AC Milan, he received 20 red cards.
From elbowing Gonzalo Higuain in a match against Real Madrid, to other fouls that tested the patience of referees, Matteo became one among the infamous list of red cards.
8. Felipe Melo (20 red cards) | Brazil
- Appearances: 804
- Red Cards: 20
- Yellow Cards: 258
The former Brazilian midfielder, Felipe Melo, is widely known for not just his defensive contributions, but mostly for his fiery temper. His determination to win and going to extremes for that led to 20 red cards throughout his career.
Melo received a red card and a three-game ban for an aerial kung-fu kick against Lazio's Lucas Biglia in an intense clash. His violent stamping on Arjen Robben also got him one, along with many other fouls.
His streak of fouls led to intense criticism in Brazil, which worsened as Melo got into a fight with the fans. He is also the player with highest number of yellow cards (258) in this list.
7. Rafael Marquez (21 red cards) | Mexico
- Appearances: 633
- Red Cards: 21
- Yellow Cards: 150
One of the best Mexican footballers, Rafael Marquez, hold the 7th position with 21 red cards in 633 appearances. He got them while playing for his nation, as well as for Barcelona, back in his club career.
Despite his calmness on field, Marquez was involved in several extreme fouls, which includes leaving a high boot on an opponent's chest, a deliberate aerial head-butt on Cobi Jones, and many more such incidents.
6. Paolo Montero (21 red cards) | Uruguay
- Appearances: 436
- Red Cards: 21
- Yellow Cards: 70
The former Uruguayan defender, Paolo Montero, holds the unwanted record of receiving most no. of red cards in the history of Serie A. He received multiple while playing for Juventus and struggled with disciplinary issues in a particular period.
Montero got 21 red cards in total, which places him in the 6th rank in here.
5. Alexis Ruano Delgado (22 red cards) | Spain
- Appearances: 428
- Red Cards: 22
- Yellow Cards: 135
Alexis Ruano Delgado, the Spanish defender, was another strong presence in the central defense. Throughout his career in La Liga, he got involved in several damaging encounters, which led to 22 red cards and placed him at the top 5 of most red cards in football history.
4. Cyril Rool (25 red cards) | France
- Apperances: 443
- Red Cards: 25
- Yellow Cards: 177
French midfielder Cyril Rool was one of the most infamously aggressive players of his generation. His playing style was full of strong tackles and a hot temper. He accumulated 25 red cards in his career.
Rool was highly criticised for his obscene gesture opponents' bench of Monaco, which earned him a red card in 2003.
3. Edgar Davids (25 red cards) | Netherlands
- Appearances: 581
- Red Cards: 25
- Yellow Cards: 106
The iconic Dutch midfielder, Edgar Davids, enters he top 3 of most red cards in football with a count of 25. Known as "The Pitbull" for his ferocious tackling, he often got involved in confrontations.
His brilliant career is inversely proportional with the kind of disciplinary record he had (106 yellow cards, 25 red cards).
2. Sergio Ramos (30 red cards) | Spain
- Appearances: 825
- Red Cards: 30
- Yellow Cards: 244
The Spanish defender, Sergio Ramos, is a living legend known for his leadership, skillset, and his notoriously high number of red cards. His fierce and competitive nature often led to taking out his frustration on opponents.
Ramos has been sent off multiple times against Barcelona in El Classicos. His attempts to stop Lionel Messi from scoring was once labelled as "criminal tackle" due to its intensity. With 30 red cards, he is currently the most red-carded player in top-tier European football history.
1. Gerardo Bedoya (46 red cards) | Colombia
- Appearances: 319
- Red Cards: 46
- Yellow Cards: 118
The Colombian defensive midfielder, Gerardo Bedoya holds the most red cards in football by a big margin. His aggressive presence and tendency of going physical, accumulated a total 46 red cards, which will be unmatched for a long time.
Bedoya was sent off the field many times, along with multiple bans. His major offence got him suspended from 15 matches straight. He was also known as world's "dirtiest" footballer, for his records of red cards and fouls.