Football is known for its heated arguments, harsh language, missed tackles, late challenges, and risky high kicks. When emotions run high, players can receive red cards. This article highlights the players with the most red cards in football.
Gerardo Bedoya: The King of Red Cards in Football
Gerardo Bedoya holds the record for the most red cards in football history. This Colombian player was sent off 46 times during his 21-year career. Bedoya received red cards while playing for nine different teams. He got sent off 14 times during his two periods with Deportivo Cali, which lasted from 1998 to 2001 and then again in 2003.
Bedoya, known as “The Beast” because of his tough tackling and aggressive playing style, played 552 matches in total for 13 clubs across South America. His career included stints in Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico. He also represented Colombia in 49 international matches but was only sent off once.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Best Knocks of 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup
Most Red Cards in Football History
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerardo Bedoya | Colombia | 46 |
| 2 | Sergio Ramos | Spain | 27 |
| 3 | Cyril Rool | France | 27 |
| 4 | Alexis Delgado | Spain | 22 |
| 4 | Felipe Melo | Brazil | 22 |
| 4 | Rafael Márquez | Mexico | 22 |
After retiring, Bedoya moved into coaching. In his first job as an assistant coach at Santa Fe, he was sent off just 21 minutes into the match. His last red card came while he was coaching Santa Fe in the 2020/21 season. Throughout his career, Bedoya was known for his fiery temperament, and he often crossed the line between being a tough player and being dirty. South American football is famous for its aggressive play, and Bedoya is a prime example of this culture. We looked for other players with a reputation for receiving red cards to compare their records to Bedoya’s.
Sergio Ramos: A Red Card Magnet in Football
In the 21st century, Sergio Ramos is the player with the most red cards. His career is filled with numerous bookings, making him the second-most carded player overall, just behind Bedoya. The Spanish defender gained a notorious reputation for his frequent dismissals while playing for Real Madrid, where he collected 29 red cards in football seven more than Felipe Melo, who ranks second with 22.
Ramos holds several records for disciplinary actions during his time in the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, El Clásico, and with the Spanish national team. No player in Europe’s top five leagues has received more cards than Ramos. He is also the most-carded player in La Liga history, with a total of 191 cards, including 21 red cards.
Most Red Cards in the 21st Century
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sergio Ramos | Spain | 29 |
| 2 | Felipe Melo | Brazil | 22 |
| 2 | Alexis Delgado | Spain | 22 |
| 4 | Rafael Márquez | Mexico | 21 |
| 5 | Matteo Contini | Italy | 20 |
In the Champions League, Ramos has received 40 bookings and has been sent off four times, three of which were direct red cards. He is recognized as the most-booked player in European competitions and shares the record for the most red cards. Ramos is also Spain’s most-capped player and has been carded 24 times in 180 international appearances.
Currently, Ramos plays for Sevilla, his hometown club. In the 2023/24 season, he was cautioned eight times and received one red card in 28 matches. His total for the season was eleven yellow cards and one red card.
The Goalkeeper with the Most Red Cards in Football
Goalkeepers are often known for their unconventional behavior on the field. Jens Lehmann stands out as the goalkeeper with the most red cards in football history, having received seven red cards throughout his 25-year career.
Lehmann’s most famous red card occurred during the 2006 UEFA Champions League final when he was sent off for a professional foul on Samuel Eto’o of Barcelona in the 18th minute. He is the only goalkeeper to have been sent off in a European Cup/Champions League final.
Goalkeepers with the Most Red Cards in Football
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jens Lehmann | Germany | 7 |
| 2 | Diego López | Spain | 5 |
| 2 | Daniel Aranzubia | Spain | 5 |
| 4 | Pepe Reina | Spain | 4 |
| 4 | Jussi Jääskeläinen | Finland | 4 |
| 4 | Oliver Kahn | Germany | 4 |
In conclusion, Spain has several players ranked among those with the most red cards in football. Ramos and Delgado are prominent names on the list. Goalkeepers like López and Aranzubia also appear near the top for red cards in football history. The football world will always remember these players for their fierce competitiveness and the many times they faced the referee’s wrath.
READ MORE:
