Red cards are one of the most significant disciplinary actions in football. A player who is given a red card is immediately sent off the field and is suspended for the next game. Red cards can result from violent conduct, serious foul play, abusive language towards the referee or opponents, or intentional handball.
In this article, we will take a look at the top five players with the most red cards in football history.
1. Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is a Spanish footballer who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain. He is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world and has won numerous titles with Real Madrid, including five Champions League trophies. However, he is also known for his aggressive playing style, which has led to him receiving a record number of red cards in football history.
Ramos has been sent off 26 times in his career, making him the player with the most red cards in football history. His disciplinary record has been a source of controversy throughout his career, with some criticizing him for his aggressive playing style and others praising his passion and commitment on the pitch.
2. Gerardo Bedoya
Gerardo Bedoya is a retired Colombian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He is known for his tough-tackling style and his ability to break up opposition attacks. However, he is also infamous for his disciplinary record, which saw him receive a record number of red cards during his career.
Bedoya was sent off 46 times in his career, making him the player with the second-most red cards in football history. His disciplinary issues led to him being nicknamed "El Patrón del Mal" (The Boss of Evil) by the Colombian press. Despite his poor disciplinary record, Bedoya was a highly-respected player in Colombia and is remembered for his contributions to the national team.
3. Pablo Alfaro
Pablo Alfaro is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a centre-back. He is known for his physical style of play and his ability to dominate opposition attackers. However, he is also notorious for his disciplinary record, which saw him receive a large number of red cards during his career.
Alfaro was sent off 18 times in La Liga alone, making him the player with the third-most red cards in football history. He is remembered as one of the toughest defenders in the history of Spanish football, but his disciplinary issues often overshadowed his footballing abilities.
4. Roy Keane
Roy Keane is a retired Irish footballer who played as a central midfielder. He is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation and is remembered for his leadership, determination, and aggression on the pitch. However, he is also known for his disciplinary record, which saw him receive a significant number of red cards during his career.
Keane was sent off 13 times in his career, making him the player with the fourth-most red cards in football history. His most infamous red card came in the 2001 Champions League semi-final, where he received two yellow cards for fouls on opposing players. Despite his disciplinary issues, Keane is remembered as a true legend of Manchester United and Irish football.
Also Read | Highest goalscoring goalkeepers of all time
5. Cyril Rool
Cyril Rool is a retired French footballer who played as a centre-back. He is known for his physical style of play and his ability to dominate opposition attackers. However, he is also notorious for his disciplinary record, which saw him receive a large number of red cards during his career.
Rool was sent off 19 times in his career, making him the player with the fifth-most red cards in football history. His disciplinary issues often overshadowed his footballing abilities, and he is remembered as a controversial figure in French football.
Also Read | Highest goal-scoring defenders of all time
