Soccer is a passionate sport, but sometimes tempers boil over. A red card in soccer means a player is immediately sent off and usually suspended for several matches. These soccer red cards not only end a player’s involvement in the game but also impact team strategy with 10 men on the field. Some players became notorious for racking up football suspensions due to frequent dismissals. This article counts down the 10 Most Red Carded Players in Soccer History, highlighting their career red card tallies and disciplinary records.

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Red card rule: Receiving a red card results in immediate ejection and typically a 1–3 match ban.
Record holder: Colombian defender Gerardo Bedoya leads with 46 red cards.
Discipline records: Most of the top offenders are defenders or defensive midfielders known for aggressive play.

These key facts set the stage for our list of the Most Red Carded Players, each having left a mark (or a scar) on the sport’s disciplinary records.

10 Most Red Carded Players in Soccer History

1. Gerardo Bedoya (Colombia) – 46 Red Cards

Gerardo Bedoya on the field, one of the Most Red Carded Players in soccer history. Gerardo Bedoya is the undisputed record holder for career red cards. Nicknamed “The Beast,” he was an imposing defensive midfielder who played mainly in Colombia and Argentina. Bedoya amassed 46 red cards in his career, more than any other professional player. For example, in a heated Bogota derby in 2012 he earned his 41st red card for elbowing an opponent (earning a 15-match ban).

Club Career: Played for Deportivo Cali, Millonarios, Santa Fe (among others) and was part of title-winning teams.
International: Capped for Colombia (won Copa America 2001).
Discipline: Holds the all-time record with 46 reds; has been dismissed for violent conduct many times.

2. Sergio Ramos (Spain) – 30 Red Cards

Sergio Ramos, the legendary Spanish defender, is next with 30 red cards (26 with Real Madrid, plus dismissals at Sevilla, PSG, and Monterrey). Ramos’s combative style (and last-ditch defending) have led to numerous send-offs. He earned his 30th red card in 2025, extending the record for an active player. Despite this, he’s a World Cup and Champions League winner.

Clubs: Sevilla, Real Madrid (captain), PSG (joined 2023).
National Team: 180 caps for Spain (captained World Cup 2010 winners).
Notable: Known for his aggressive defending. He once pushed over a referee after being booked, resulting in another suspension.

3. Pablo Alfaro (Spain) – 27 Red Cards

Spanish center-back Pablo Alfaro collected 27 red cards over his career. Alfaro played briefly for Barcelona’s Dream Team under Johan Cruyff and later starred at Racing Santander and Sevilla. He was known as a no-nonsense defender whose tackles and feisty demeanor often led to dismissals.

Clubs: Barcelona (won 1992-93 La Liga), Atlético Madrid, Racing Santander, Sevilla (UEFA Cup 2006 winner).
Discipline: 27 career red cards, including multiple in La Liga.
Trivia: Left Sevilla amid the rise of younger players, but remains best known for his tough-tackling style.

4. Felipe Melo (Brazil) – 26 Red Cards

Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo racked up 26 red cards during a long career in Europe and Brazil. Nicknamed “Pitbull,” Melo played for top clubs like Juventus, Inter Milan, Galatasaray and Palmeiras. His fiery temper and aggressive play made him a legendary enforcer – but also earned him frequent dismissals.

Clubs: Palmeiras, Juventus, Inter, Galatasaray, Fluminense (retired 2024).
Achievements: Serie A and Copa Libertadores titles.
Discipline: 26 career red cards. Melo once earned headlines for chewing on Roma player Juan, saying he ate grass to calm down.

5. Edgar Davids (Netherlands) – 25 Red Cards

Dutch midfield icon Edgar Davids received 25 red cards in his career. Known for his trademark goggles and tenacity, Davids played at Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona and Tottenham. Most of his red cards came later in his career (even in lower leagues with Barnet). He remains one of the most colorful and aggressive midfielders of his era.

Clubs: Ajax (UEFA Champions League 1995 winner), Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Barnet.
International: 74 caps for the Netherlands (played in Euro 96 and 2000).
Notable: Only one of his 25 reds was in the English Premier League (at Tottenham); the rest came in Italy and England’s lower divisions.

6. Paolo Montero (Uruguay) – 23 Red Cards

Uruguayan defender Paolo Montero was famous for his toughness and also for 23 career red cards. Montero played most of his club career at Juventus, winning multiple Serie A titles and a Champions League in 1996 (though he was suspended for the final). He once snapped in frustration and injured AC Milan’s Franco Baresi in 1998 – a moment replayed often in highlight reels.

Clubs: Atalanta, Juventus (1996 Champions League winner, 5 Serie A titles).
National Team: 61 caps for Uruguay (Copa America 1995, 2011 champion).
Record: Holds the Serie A all-time record for red cards (20 in Italy alone).

7. Alexis Ruano Delgado (Spain) – 22 Red Cards

Spanish defender Alexis Ruano Delgado accumulated 22 red cards. A journeyman in La Liga, Delgado played for Valencia, Málaga, Getafe, Sevilla and others. Despite his frequent dismissals, he won honours like the 2008 Copa del Rey with Valencia. Delgado’s long career featured a consistently aggressive style that saw him sent off often.

Clubs: Valencia (Copa del Rey 2008), Málaga, Getafe, Sevilla, Besiktas.
Highlights: 321 La Liga appearances, one of Spanish football’s worst disciplinary records.
Discipline: 22 red cards (one of four players tied at 22 in top historical lists).

8. Rafael Márquez (Mexico) – 22 Red Cards

Legendary Mexican defender Rafael Márquez also had 22 career red cards. Márquez was a key part of Barcelona’s global success in the 2000s (winning two Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles). Despite his skill, he had several on-field incidents – famously headbutting U.S. player Cobi Jones in 2002. Márquez himself acknowledged his fiery nature after retirement.

Clubs: Atlas, Monaco, Barcelona (2× UEFA Champions League, 4× La Liga), New York Red Bulls, Hellas Verona.
National Team: 147 caps for Mexico (World Cup captain 2006, 2014; Olympic gold 2012).
Discipline: 22 red cards. Márquez once admitted “not controlling himself” after a 2002 World Cup red card for headbutting.

9. Cyril Rool (France) – 22 Red Cards

French midfielder Cyril Rool received 22 red cards. Rool spent his career in Ligue 1 with Lens, Bordeaux and Nice, where his rugged tackling style led to frequent send-offs. He was notorious for his confrontational behavior: referees often awarded him red cards, and he even accumulated over 150 yellow cards. Rool’s long career (1993–2010) made him one of Europe’s most penalized players.

Clubs: Lens, Bordeaux, Nice.
Discipline: 22 red cards, 150+ yellows. Holds the record for most red cards in Ligue 1 history.
Style: Known as “Le Prolo,” he was a combative defensive midfielder who often clashed with opponents and officials.

10. Gerardo Torrado (Mexico) – 22 Red Cards

Mexican midfielder Gerardo Torrado also tallied 22 red cards. Torrado was a combative defensive midfielder, best known for his time at Mexican club Cruz Azul, where he was sent off 14 times in 11 seasons. He was a mainstay of Mexico’s national team (150 caps), playing in three World Cups. Torrado’s aggressive style earned him a place among the all-time red card leaders, especially in CONCACAF history.

Clubs: UNAM Pumas, Tigres, Cruz Azul (sent off 14 times with Cruz Azul).
National Team: 147 caps for Mexico (2002, 2006, 2010 World Cup squads).
Discipline: 22 red cards, mostly at club level.

Conclusion

The Most Red Carded Players on this list are legends of aggression and tenacity. Each of these 10 players combined high-level achievements with fiery play that led to unprecedented red card totals. Gerardo Bedoya stands at the top with 46 career red cards, while other stars like Sergio Ramos and Edgar Davids also rank high on the all-time red card chart. Football suspensions were a frequent reality for these players – for example, Bedoya once got a 15-game ban for violent conduct, and Ramos has been suspended multiple times for dissent and tackles.

These statistics underscore the fine line between competitive passion and recklessness. If you found this rundown of Most Red Carded Players in Soccer History interesting, feel free to share it on social media or comment on your favorite “red card king.” Follow us for more deep dives into soccer stats and records!

FAQs

Q: Who holds the record for most red cards in soccer history?
A: Colombia’s Gerardo Bedoya holds the record with 46 red cards in his professional career, the most of any soccer player on record.

Q: What is the meaning of a red card and suspension in football?
A: A red card is the harshest in-game penalty. It means a player is immediately sent off and banned from the remainder of that match. In addition, the player typically faces a multi-game suspension (usually 1–3 games, depending on the offense).

Q: How many red cards did Sergio Ramos receive?
A: Sergio Ramos has received 30 red cards in his career – the second-highest total. He was sent off 26 times at Real Madrid and 4 more times at PSG, Sevilla, and Monterrey.

Q: Are these red card records only for club play or all competitions?
A: The totals listed include all official matches (club and country). For example, Bedoya’s 46 reds and Ramos’s 30 count every competition he played in. However, many career tallies are dominated by club play, since players have far more club games than international appearances.

Q: What positions are these red card leaders?
A: Most players on this list are defenders or defensive midfielders (centre-backs, holding midfielders, full-backs) – positions that often engage in tough tackling. Their aggressive roles on the pitch help explain why they have so many red cards.