Top 11 Players with the Most Red Cards in Football History

Sergio Ramos, undoubtedly a footballing great, has made an indelible mark on the game and is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in history. However, along with his immense talent, he possesses some evident flaws.

Ramos's most notable imperfection is his temper. Throughout his career, the Spanish defender has frequently lost control on the pitch, resulting in numerous red cards. Since his professional debut for Sevilla in 2004, he has accumulated a significant number of dismissals. While the exact number of red cards he has received is not mentioned, it is clear that his disciplinary record is noteworthy.

To shed light on the dirtiest footballers in the history of the sport, we have compiled an XI using data from Transfermarkt and a YouTube video from Football Info. This team comprises players who have amassed an astonishing total of 249 red cards collectively. Surprisingly, one player stands out as the undisputed dirtiest player ever, accumulating 17 more red cards than Ramos. Please find the XI below.

Goalkeeper – Jens Lehmann

7 red cards

Jens Lehmann's record of being sent off seven times throughout his career as a goalkeeper is indeed remarkable. One of his most famous dismissals occurred during the 2006 Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona. In that match, Lehmann became the first player to be red-carded in a European Cup final when he fouled Samuel Eto'o just outside the Arsenal penalty area in the 18th minute. Despite taking an early lead, Arsenal ultimately suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat.

In 2020, Lehmann had the opportunity to reflect on that red card during an episode of the Arsenal 'In Lockdown' podcast. It provided a chance for him to reminisce and share his thoughts on that significant moment in his career.

Right back - Sergio Ramos

29 red cards

Sergio Ramos' most recent red card occurred while playing for Sevilla against Real Sociedad in November 2023. Prior to that, his last dismissal was in October 2022. These recent gaps between red cards may indicate a potential trend of him becoming more composed and mature as he ages. However, it is worth noting that his most recent sending off marked his 29th red card during his illustrious career, making him the player with the highest number of red cards since 2000 and earning him the title of "vice-captain" in this notorious lineup.

Remarkably, despite accumulating a significant number of red cards throughout his club career, Ramos has never received a red card while representing the Spanish national team. This is particularly noteworthy considering his record-breaking 180 appearances for La Roja.

While Sergio Ramos has enjoyed a remarkable career filled with trophies, iconic moments, and crucial goals in the Champions League, his disciplinary record has often overshadowed his achievements. He remains an all-time great of the sport, albeit one with a tarnished reputation due to his high number of red cards.

Centre back - Alexis Ruano Delgado

22 red cards

Alexis Ruano Delgado, commonly known as 'Alexis,' had a predominantly Spanish football career, representing clubs such as Malaga, Getafe, Valencia, Sevilla, and Alaves. He began his career on a high note, winning the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with Spain in 2004. However, trouble seemed to follow him throughout his career, despite having short stints in Turkey with Beşiktaş and Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli.

In 2020, Alexis retired from professional football after playing for Racing Santander. Regrettably, he established himself as one of the sport's dirtiest players, accumulating a staggering 22 red cards over his 18-year career. Among his numerous dismissals, one incident stands out as the most memorable. It involved an altercation with Mario Mandzukic, a Croatia international with 89 caps. Alexis delivered a left jab towards Mandzukic, leaving him writhing on the ground. As a consequence, Alexis received a four-match suspension.

Despite his disciplinary issues, Alexis had a lengthy career in football and left an indelible mark as one of the sport's more controversial figures.

Centre back - Pablo Alfaro

27 red cards

During Sergio Ramos' early days at Sevilla, he had the opportunity to learn from Pablo Alfaro, who was nearing the end of his career at the club. With their combined defensive prowess, it's no surprise that the duo played together 28 times, leaving opposing strikers with a daunting challenge.

Alfaro, a Spanish center-back, had his longest and most notable stint at Sevilla from 2000 to 2005. Throughout his career, he accumulated the second-highest number of red cards in La Liga history, with a total of 18 dismissals. His aggressive style of play, marked by bone-crunching tackles, would undoubtedly make any opponent cringe.

Interestingly, Alfaro's influence extended beyond the football pitch. Not only is he currently the manager of Real Murcia, but he also holds a major in medicine. This unexpected combination of careers highlights the multifaceted nature of individuals and reminds us that there are always different sides to a story.

Left back - Paolo Montero

21 red cards

Pablo Montero, known for his fiery Uruguayan fighting spirit, had a career marked by his aggressive playing style, although at times it may have gone overboard. The tenacious left-back spent a total of 13 years in Serie A, with four seasons at Atalanta and nine at Juventus. Throughout his time in Italy, he set a record for the most red cards received in Serie A, being sent off 15 times in 267 top-flight Italian matches.

On average, Montero received a red card approximately once every 18 games, highlighting his propensity for disciplinary issues. In 2007, The Times included him on their list of the 50 toughest footballers in history, ranking him at number 39. Despite his aggressive approach, Montero was undoubtedly a skilled defender during his prime, earning praise for his high-tempo defending and relentless aggression. Ryan Giggs, in particular, described him, alongside his Juventus teammate Ciro Ferrara, as "the toughest defenders I have ever played against," as reported by the Telegraph.

Centre midfield - Gerardo Bedoya

46 red cards

Gerardo Bedoya, known as "The Beast," holds the astonishing record of being sent off 46 times throughout his career, making him one of the dirtiest players in football history. The Colombian midfielder primarily played in South America and earned 49 caps for his national team.

One notable incident occurred during the Bogota derby between Independiente Santa Fe and Millonarios in 2012. Bedoya was sent off for elbowing and subsequently kicking Millonarios player Jhonny Ramirez in the head. This act of aggression resulted in a 15-match suspension for Bedoya.

His aggressive tackling and assaults on opponents earned him the nickname "The Beast." Bedoya's disciplinary record makes him a fitting candidate for a spot in this notorious XI, a position that is unlikely to be challenged any time soon. After retiring from playing, Bedoya ventured into coaching. In his first role as an assistant manager with Santa Fe in 2016, he was dismissed from the dugout just 21 minutes into the match. It seems that old habits die hard.

Centre midfield - Cyril Rool

27 red cards

Cyril Rool, a tough-tackling midfielder, spent his entire professional career in France, representing clubs such as Bastia, Lens, Bordeaux, Nice, and Marseille. He amassed a total of 366 appearances before retiring from the sport. At one point, Rool held the record for the most red cards in Europe's top five leagues, with 19 dismissals, before being surpassed by Sergio Ramos. Additionally, he received 187 yellow cards in Ligue 1, which still stands as a record to this day.

His most successful period came with Lens, where he won the Coupe de la Ligue in the 1998/99 season, securing the only piece of silverware in his career. While Rool may have possessed footballing prowess, his disciplinary record and penchant for tough tackling and seeing red (quite literally) are the aspects that stand out as his notable moments in the sport.

Centre midfield - Edgar Davids

25 red cards

Edgar Davids, known as "The Pitbull," is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most technically gifted midfielders of his generation. He began his career at Ajax, where he achieved remarkable success, winning three league titles and the UEFA Champions League in 1995. Davids went on to play for renowned clubs such as AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Tottenham Hotspur before retiring in 2014 after a player/manager role at Barnet.

Although Davids' talents on the pitch were undeniable, he also had a reputation for receiving red cards. Throughout his career, he was sent off a total of 25 times, including in his final game for Barnet. Despite these disciplinary issues, Davids is now serving as an assistant for the Netherlands national team. However, he will be most remembered for his trademark glasses and his tenacious playing style, often characterized by lunging tackles that occasionally resulted in early exits from the field.

Right wing - Ricardo Quaresma

14 red cards

Ricardo Quaresma, a skilled and tricky winger, had an unexpected disciplinary record throughout his career. The Portuguese player represented clubs such as Sporting CP, Porto, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea. Surprisingly, Quaresma received 14 red cards during his career.

His most undisciplined period came during his time at Turkish side Besiktas, where he was sent off on nine occasions. This high number of dismissals is quite remarkable for a player known for his technical abilities and flair on the pitch.

In 2017, Marco Monteiro of FIFA.com described Quaresma as "insanely talented and equally temperamental," which perfectly captures the essence of his career. While Quaresma may not have amassed the same goal tally as his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, his highlight reel of red cards certainly surpasses that of Ronaldo's, although it's not necessarily something to be proud of.

Left wing - Zlatan Ibrahimović

15 red cards

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, despite his calm demeanor off the pitch, has had his fair share of petulance and red cards due to moments of madness. The legendary footballer received three red cards during his time at Paris Saint-Germain and was sent off four times across two spells with AC Milan. One notable incident was when he lashed out and injured Marco Materazzi during the 2010 Milan derby, seeking revenge for a previous incident. Surprisingly, he only received a yellow card on that occasion.

Ibrahimovic, known for his hot-headed antics, has been sent off a total of 15 times throughout his career, with four of those red cards resulting from some form of misconduct. It is worth noting that Ibrahimovic's disciplinary issues often stem from moments of frustration or retaliation rather than lunging into dangerous tackles. While his talents on the pitch are undeniable, his occasional acts of petulance have become part of his footballing legacy.

Striker - Francesco Totti

16 red cards

Francesco Totti, a true icon of Roma, displayed his passion for the club throughout his entire career. However, this passion sometimes got the better of him, leading to several red cards. In total, Totti received 16 red cards during his remarkable career with Roma.

One of his most notable red cards occurred in 2010 when he kicked Mario Balotelli from behind during a match between Roma and Inter Milan. This incident resulted in a four-match Coppa Italia ban for Totti. In the aftermath, Totti even contemplated retirement due to the cynical red card.

In 2018, Totti reminisced about the incident, reflecting on the impact it had on him and his thoughts of retirement. This further highlights the emotional connection Totti had with his beloved club and the weight he carried as its captain and symbol. Despite his occasional moments of misconduct, Totti's legacy remains as one of the greatest players to have ever worn the Roma shirt.