In the realm of football, certain players stand out not just for their skill but also for their propensity for controversy. Gerardo Bedoya, with an astounding 46 red cards throughout his career, exemplifies this dual identity. Hailing from Colombia, Bedoya’s aggressive style of play earned him the affectionate nickname “The Monster,” yet it also led to numerous dismissals from the pitch. His story reflects the intriguing intersection of talent, temperament, and the fine line between aggression and misconduct in the world’s most beloved sport. Let’s find out with bestsoccertips who has the most red cards in football history through the following article!
Top 10 players with most red cards in football history
1. Gerardo Bedoya (46 red cards)
Our captain, Gerardo Bedoya holds the record for being sent off the field 46 times! The Colombian midfielder has spent much of his playing career in South America and earned 49 caps for the national team. In the 2012 Bogota derby between Independiente Santa Fe and Millonarios, he was shown the red card for a reckless tackle and later kicked Millonarios player Jhonny Ramirez in the head, resulting in a 15-match suspension.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Monster’ for his aggressive tackles and rough play, Bedoya certainly earns his place in this lineup – a position that won’t be vacated anytime soon, if ever. After retiring, Bedoya transitioned into coaching. As Santa Fe’s first assistant director in 2016, he was sent off just 21 minutes into the job. Some habits, it seems, are hard to break.
2. Sergio Ramos (29 red cards)
Sergio Ramos’ most recent red card came while playing for Sevilla against Real Sociedad in November 2023. Prior to that, in October 2022, suggesting he’s grown calmer and wiser with age. His latest dismissal marked his 29th red card in a storied football career, the most by any player since 2000, earning him the dubious title of ‘captain’ of this mischievous squad. Remarkably, Ramos has never been sent off while playing for Spain, despite amassing a record 180 caps for La Roja.
After a stellar career laden with titles, crucial moments, and last-minute goals in the Champions League, the Spanish player, now in the twilight of his career, has never been far from trouble – and his impressive red card tally reflects just that. The greatest sport of all time tarnished by his disciplinary record. Oh, Sergio.
3. Cyril Rool (27 red cards)
Cyril Rool played his entire career in France with Bastia, Lens, Bordeaux, Nice, and Marseille, amassing a total of 366 appearances before retiring from professional football. According to Sky Sports, this tough-tackling midfielder holds the record for the most red cards in the top 5 European leagues with 19, before being surpassed by Ramos. Besides his staggering red card count, he also accumulated 187 yellow cards in Ligue 1, a record that stands to this day.
His most successful spell came with Lens when he won his first – and only – silverware, clinching the Coupe de la Ligue in 1998/99. Rool might have been a stellar footballer, but with a disciplinary record as clear as his, the penchant for tough challenges and a tendency to see red will remain his notable moments in the sport.
4. Edgar Davids (25 red cards)
The Pitbull. One of the greatest and most technically gifted midfielders of his generation, Davids began his career at Ajax, where he won three league titles and the Champions League in 1995. He went on to play for clubs like AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Tottenham Hotspur before retiring in 2014 after a stint as player-manager with Barnet.
Despite being a remarkable player, Davids also had a knack for collecting red cards. He was sent off 25 times, including in his final match as a professional footballer for Barnet. Davids currently serves as an assistant coach for the Dutch national team, though the wearer of the iconic No. 74 jersey will be remembered not just for his trademark glasses but also as someone no stranger to lunging tackles and often an early bath thereafter.
5. Paolo Montero (21 red cards)
Paolo Montero embodies the fighting spirit of Uruguay – perhaps a bit too much – with 21 red cards in his career. The rugged left-back spent 13 seasons in Serie A: 4 with Atalanta and 9 with Juventus. He set the record for the most red cards in Serie A history, being sent off 15 times in 267 appearances in Italy’s top flight.
That means, on average, he received a red card once every 18 matches. In 2007, The Times ranked him 39th in the list of the 50 hardest-working footballers in history. No doubt, as a talented defender in the aforementioned duo, Montero was often criticized for his defensive pace and ferocity throughout his career. Ryan Giggs once described him, along with his Juventus teammate Ciro Ferrara, as “the toughest defenders I’ve ever faced,” according to Telegraph.
6. Alexis Ruano Delgado (22 red cards)
Alexis Ruano Delgado had an impressive career, totaling 321 appearances and 17 goals. Throughout his career, he played for several clubs including Málaga, Getafe (in two stints), Valencia, Sevilla, and Alavés. But his fiery temper often overshadowed his performances, posing the biggest challenge in his career. Alexis’ explosive playing style and hot temper were defining traits of his presence on the field.
Amidst his achievements and controversies, his punch on Mario Mandzukic remains a lingering memory. This incident marked the peak of Alexis’ career, surrounded by the fire burning within him, sometimes erupting into disciplinary actions. Overall, Alexis received 22 red cards throughout his career.
7. Gary Medel (18 red cards)
Gary Medel’s football career has seen him rise as one of the most formidable defenders, a figure that strikers would prefer to avoid facing. However, the price for his defensive prowess is 18 red cards. His ability to thwart attacks and disrupt opponents’ play is commendable, yet the sacrifices he made in terms of discipline cannot be overlooked.
The resilience and skills he brings onto the field speak volumes about the essence of football, where players must navigate not only their strengths but also the pitfalls inherent to them. He’s a true adversary, although his number of red cards might surprise many.
8. Francesco Totti (16 red cards)
Having spent his entire career in the colors of boyhood club AS Roma, Francesco Totti truly poured his heart and soul onto the field. Whenever things didn’t go AS Roma’s way, Totti often felt a pang of anguish and had to confront numerous demons – 16 red cards in an impressive career.
Among them, perhaps Totti’s most infamous red card came in 2010, in a match between Roma and Inter Milan, when he struck Mario Balotelli from behind. The consequence was a four-match suspension in the Coppa Italia. After this incident, Totti even contemplated retirement, haunted by his own anger.
9. Zlatan Ibrahimović (15 red cards)
For someone seemingly composed, Zlatan Ibrahimović has had bouts of temper and received a few silly red cards for misconduct. The legendary footballer received three red cards while at Paris Saint-Germain and was sent off four times in two spells with AC Milan. Remember when he headbutted Materazzi in the 2010 Milan derby?
Remarkably, he only received a yellow card on that occasion, but that didn’t stop him from becoming notorious for his fiery antics on the field. The Swedish forward has been sent off 15 times in his career, four of which were for some form of misconduct. The issue is this – Ibrahimović is rarely caught lunging into tackles with both feet; he’s often the victim of a moment of madness.
10. Ricardo Quaresma (14 red cards)
A nimble and skillful winger, but Ricardo Quaresma has amassed a surprising number of red cards in his career. The Portuguese winger, who has played for Sporting CP, Porto, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea, has been ordered off the field 14 times in his career. His most undisciplined spell was at Turkey’s Besiktas, where he was sent off 9 times.
In 2017, FIFA.com’s Marco Monteiro described Quaresma as a “maverick talent with an unusual temperament,” which almost summarizes his career. And that’s a perfect description. Dubbed as the next Cristiano Ronaldo, Quaresma may not boast the goal-scoring records of the Real Madrid legend, but his prominent red card count certainly sets him apart from his compatriot – not something to be proud of.
Conclusion
In the grand narrative of football, these players offer a compelling subplot, reminding us of the multifaceted nature of the sport. Their journeys, marked by moments of brilliance and controversy, provide a glimpse into the human drama that unfolds on the pitch. Despite their flaws, they remain integral to the fabric of football history, their stories serving as cautionary tales, sources of inspiration, and testaments to the enduring allure of the beautiful game.
See more: Who has the most yellow cards in football history?
