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Top 20 players with the most red cards in football history
Helix Odhiambo, Jackline Wangare
updated at April 15, 2024 at 1:04 PM
Footballers usually get punished with yellow cards or red cards when they commit mistakes on the pitch. Interestingly, some have gained worldwide attention for obtaining plenty of red cards in their careers. This article looks at the list of footballers with the most red cards in football history.
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Table of Сontents:
Many people celebrate soccer stars with the most goals, assists and even clean sheets. However, those who do the dirty work are treated as villains.
Who has the most red cards in football history?
Below is a table of the top 20 football players with the most red cards of all time
Rank | Name | Number of red cards |
1 | Gerardo Bedoya | 46 |
2 | Cyril Rool | 25 |
3 | Sergio Ramos | 24 |
4 | Alexis Ruano | 22 |
5 | Paolo Montero | 21 |
6 | Rafael Marquez | 21 |
7 | Felipe Melo | 20 |
8 | Matteo Contini | 20 |
9 | Fernando Amorebieta | 19 |
10 | Gary Medel | 18 |
11 | Gerardo Torrado | 18 |
12 | Pablo Alfaro | 18 |
13 | Deividas Semberas | 17 |
14 | Yannick Cahuzac | 17 |
15 | Gonzalo Rodriguez | 17 |
16 | Philippe Mexes | 16 |
17 | Alberto Lopo | 15 |
18 | Giampiero Pinzi | 14 |
19 | Ricardo Quaresma | 14 |
20 | Jermaine Jones | 14 |
Footballers with the most red cards in football
A red card is the most severe punishment a referee can give a player during a match. This means the player is sent off the field immediately and cannot take any further part in the game. Here is a list of the top 20 footballers with the most red cards in football matches.
20. Jermaine Jones - 14 red cards
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Jermaine Junior Jones
- Date of birth: 3 November 1981
- Age: 42 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 14
- Appearance: 347
- Goals: 39
Jermaine Jones is a retired German-American defensive midfielder. He is among the famous footballers with the most red cards in history, with 14 send-offs. Jermaine Jones also played for both German and American national teams. He spent his club career in England, Germany, the United States and Turkey.
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19. Ricardo Quaresma - 14 red cards
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- Full name: Ricardo Andrade Quaresma Bernardo
- Date of birth: 26 September 1983
- Age: 40 years old (as of 2023)
- Red cards: 14
- Appearance: 683
- Goals: 113
Ricardo Quaresma is a veteran Portuguese professional footballer who played as a winger. Ricardo Quaresma began his professional career at Sporting CP and has since had a journeyman career, having played for some of Europe's top clubs, such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Besiktas.
18. Giampiero Pinzi - 14 red cards
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- Full name: Giampiero Pinzi Cavaliere
- Date of birth: 11 March 1981
- Age: 43 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 14
- Appearance: 436
- Goals: 20
Giampiero Pinzi is an Italian football manager and former player. Pinzi began his playing career with Lazio in 1988 and spent time with several clubs before retiring in 2019. He is best known for his ability to develop young players and for his ability to get the best out of his teams.
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17. Alberto Lopo - 15 red cards
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- Full name: Alberto Lopo García
- Date of birth: 5 May 1980
- Age: 43 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 15
- Appearance: 478
- Goals: 22
Alberto Lopo is a retired professional footballer who played for the Spain national football team. Alberto Lopo was known for his rough tackles and could barely escape a card. He played for Espanyol, Getafe, and Deportivo La Coruña, among others.
16. Philippe Mexes - 16 red cards
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- Full name: Philippe Mexès
- Date of birth: 30 March 1982
- Age: 42 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 16
- Appearance: 402
- Goals: 24
The former French centre-back was one of the toughest defenders of his generation. Philippe Mexes began his career at Auxerre, where he made over 120 appearances and was part of their 2001–02 Ligue 1 title-winning team.
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He then moved to Roma, where he played for seven seasons and was part of the club's 2007 Supercoppa Italiana-winning team. Mexes made over 25 appearances for the French national team and was part of their squads at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.
15. Gonzalo Rodriguez - 17 red cards
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- Full name: Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez Prado
- Date of birth: 10 April 1984
- Age: 40 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 17
- Appearance: 433
- Goals: 34
Gonzalo Rodriguez is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Gonzalo Rodriguez was a part of the Argentina Olympic team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has made several appearances for the senior national team.
He is known for his strength and reliability in defence and has been one of the most consistent players in Spanish football in recent years.
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14. Yannick Cahuzac - 17 red cards
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- Full name: Yannick Cahuzac
- Date of birth: 18 January 1985
- Age: 39 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 17
- Appearance: 419
- Goals: 8
Yannick Cahuzac is a French defensive midfielder currently playing for Lens in League One. He is the grandson of French international and coach Pierre Cahuzac. Yannick Cahuzac is known for receiving three red cards in four games during the 2016/17 Ligue 1 season.
13. Deividas Semberas - 17 red cards
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- Full name: Deividas Šemberas
- Date of birth: 2 August 1978
- Age: 45 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 17
- Appearance: 466
- Goals: 13
Deividas Semberas is a former Lithuanian professional footballer who played as a defender. He began his career with FC Vilnius before moving to Italy to play for AS Roma, Udinese, and Chievo Verona, among others.
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He also played for the Lithuanian national team, making over 30 appearances and scoring 1 goal. After his playing career, Deividas Semberas became a coach, managing several clubs in Lithuania.
12. Pablo Alfaro - 18 red cards
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Pablo Alfaro Armengot
- Date of birth: 26 April 1969
- Age: 54 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 18
- Appearance: 593
- Goals: 12
Pablo Alfaro is the second-most red-carded player in La Liga history, with 18 dismissals. He was nicknamed 'The Surgeon' for his combative and solid football. Pablo Alfaro played for several clubs, including FC Barcelona, Real Zaragoza, Racing Santander, Atletico Madrid, and Sevilla.
11. Gerardo Torrado - 18 red cards
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Gerardo Torrado Díez de Bonill
- Date of birth: 30 April 1979
- Age: 44 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 18
- Appearance: 536
- Goals: 16
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Gerardo Torrado is a retired Mexican soccer star who captained the national team. He was a talented defensive midfielder with good ball recovery and quality passing abilities. Gerardo Torrado also played for Sevilla, Racing Santander, and Cruz Azul, among other clubs.
10. Gary Medel - 18 red cards
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- Full name: Gary Alexis Medel Soto
- Date of birth: 3 August 1987
- Age: 36 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 18
- Appearance: 499
- Goals: 23
The Chilean international has established himself among the toughest defenders that not many strikers would like to face. But unfortunately, his ability to make critical stops and tackles has come at the cost of receiving 18 marching orders in his career. He is among the top 10 players with most red cards in football history. Gary Medel currently plays for the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Vasco da Gama.
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9. Fernando Amorebieta - 19 red cards
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Fernando Gabriel Amorebieta Mardaras
- Date of birth: 29 March 1985
- Age: 39 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 19
- Appearance: 453
- Goals: 9
Fernando Amorebieta is among the veteran soccer stars with multiple red cards in their careers. The Venezuela-born footballer spent most of his time at Athletic Bilbao and Fulham as a central defender. Fernando Amorebieta also competed professionally in England, Argentina and Paraguay
8. Matteo Contini - 20 red cards
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- Full name: Matteo Contini
- Date of birth: 16 April 1980
- Age: 44 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 20
- Appearance: 468
- Goals: 7
The Italian defender played for several clubs in Italy, including Napoli, Parma, and Real Zaragoza in Spain. Matteo Contini was among the highly-rated players during his time but had a problem avoiding punishment on the pitch.
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7. Felipe Melo - 20 red cards
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- Full name: Felipe Melo de Carvalho
- Date of birth: 26 June 1983
- Age: 40 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 20
- Appearance: 632
- Goals: 60
Felipe Melo is a professional soccer player from Brazil. He was nicknamed 'Pitbull' for his style of play and physique, which resembles that of an MMA fighter.
He plays as a defensive midfielder for Fluminense. Felipe Melo is known for his strong defensive skills and leadership ability. He has also represented his country in international competitions, winning the Copa America in 2007 and the Confederations Cup in 2009.
6. Rafael Marquez - 21 red cards
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- Full name: Rafael Márquez Álvarez
- Date of birth: 13 February 1979
- Age: 45 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 21
- Appearance: 628
- Goals: 27
Marquez is considered the best defender in Mexico's history. He also won many titles at the club level with Monaco and Barcelona. Besides his brilliance on the pitch, Rafael Marquez collected 21 red cards.
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5. Paolo Montero - 21 red cards
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- Full name: Rónald Paolo Montero Iglesias
- Date of birth: 3 September 1971
- Age: 52 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 21
- Appearance: 406
- Goals: 10
Paolo Montero is an Uruguayan football coach and former player. He began his professional playing career in 1989 with Deportivo Maldonado and played for several other clubs, including Juventus F.C. and U.C. Sampdoria.
He also represented Uruguay in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. After retiring from playing, he moved into coaching and has managed several clubs in the Uruguayan Primera División, including Montevideo Wanderers and Club Nacional de Football. He has also been the assistant manager for the Uruguayan national team.
Paolo Montero has the highest number of red cards received in Serie A history. Paolo Montero played for Juventus in Italy and believed in winning at all costs, even if it meant committing fouls.
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4. Alexis Ruano - 22 red cards
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- Full name: Alexis Ruano Delgado
- Date of birth: 4 August 1985
- Age: 38 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 22
- Appearance: 60
- Goals: 18
Delgado is known for his violence and hot temper on the pitch. However, the Spanish centre-back will primarily be remembered for punching Mario Mandzukic. Alexis Ruano has received 22 red cards throughout his career.
3. Sergio Ramos - 24 red cards
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- Full name: Sergio Ramos García
- Date of birth: 30 March 1986
- Age: 38 years old (as of 2024)
- Sergio Ramos' red cards: 24
- Appearance: 789
- Goals: 110
The former Real Madrid defender is known for his dirty work and strong character. How many red cards does Ramos have? He is currently the player with 24 red cards in La Liga history. In the Champions League, Sergio Ramos has amassed four red cards, making him both the most-carded player and joint-most red-carded player in Champions League history.
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2. Cyril Rool - 25 red cards
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- Full name: Cyril Rool
- Date of birth: 15 April 1975
- Age: 48 years old (as of 2024)
- Red cards: 25
- Appearance: 366
- Goals: 4
Cyril Rool is a professional former French footballer known for his ability to control the game's tempo. The retired French football midfielder retired, having had multiple red cards in soccer. Many people will remember Cyril Rool for his ruthless game, blind tackles and being at the centre of brawls on the pitch.
1. Gerardo Bedoya - 46 red cards
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Gerardo Bedoya
- Date of birth: 26 November 1975
- Age: 48 years old (as of 2023)
- Red cards: 46
- Appearance: 292
- Goals: 22
Who has the most red cards in soccer history? The Colombian defensive midfielder Gerardo Bedoya is arguably one of the footballers with the most red cards totalling 46. Interestingly, he was sent off just 21 minutes into his senior coaching debut in March 2016.
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Who is the most red-carded players in the Premier League?
The player with most red cards in Premier League are Richard Dunne, Duncan Ferguson and Patrick Vieira each having received eight red cards. Lee Cattermole, Roy Keane, Vinnie Jones and Alan Smith have each received seven red cards.
How many yellow cards did Italy get?
Italy has received an average of 13 yellow and 0 red cards in UEFA Nations League A. The Italy national football team is one of the most successful in the world, having won the FIFA World Cup four times.
The team has also won the UEFA European Championship three times and the Olympic Games once. The team is currently managed by Roberto Mancini and is captained by Leonardo Bonucci.
Who has the most yellow cards in football?
Sergio Ramos has the most yellow cards totaling to 259. He is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Sevilla.
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Who is the player with most red cards in world cup?
Two players actually hold the record for most red cards in the World Cup, with both receiving a red card twice: Rigobert Song (Cameroon) in 1994 and 1998 and Zinedine Zidane (France) in 1998 and 2006.
Who has the most red cards in European football?
The player with the most red cards in European football history is Sergio Ramos, a former defender known for his aggressive playing style.
What professional football player has the most red cards?
The professional footballer with the most red cards is Colombian defender Gerardo Bedoya. He holds the record with a staggering 46 red cards throughout his 601-match career.
Who has no red cards in football history?
Some of the most frequently mentioned players who have never received red cards include Michel Platini, Gary Lineker, Andres Iniesta, Philipp Lahm and Karim Benzema.
You might have noticed that stars with the most red cards in football are defenders or defensive midfielders. Generally, they are tasked with clearing the ball and stopping strikers from scoring at all costs.
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Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.
Jackline Wangare
Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Sports Brief covering sports and lifestyle topics. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University and as a Content Creator (Briefly.co.za, Legit.ng, Tuko.co.ke, Yen.com.gh).
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