The dirtiest players in football history: 15 stars who saw red the most

November 15, 2025 Kris Isaksen

Football is as much about control as it is about passion — but some players never quite mastered the balance. These 15 infamous stars racked up more red cards than anyone else in football history, proving that discipline was often the price they paid for intensity.

15. Deividas Semberas – 17 red cards

Lithuanian defender Deividas Semberas was a no-nonsense presence in Russia’s top flight, picking up 17 red cards over his career. Five of those were straight reds, while the others came from double yellow offences. With more dismissals than goals, his tough-tackling legacy is hard to ignore.

14. Yannick Cahuzac – 19 red cards

Yannick Cahuzac earned a reputation as one of Ligue 1’s most fiery players. In over 300 appearances for Bastia, he received 19 red cards — the first coming in just his third professional game. Despite this, he remained a fan favourite thanks to his relentless effort.

13. Gary Medel – 19 red cards

Chilean enforcer Gary Medel wasn’t shy about confrontation, earning 19 red cards across club and international matches. One of the most talked-about came during a Copa America clash where both he and Lionel Messi were sent off before halftime.

12. Fernando Amorebieta – 20 red cards

Venezuelan centre-back Amorebieta collected 20 red cards across stints in Spain, England and South America. Known for his aggression, he once bit an opponent in Paraguay and was sent off for stamping during Copa America — making him a nightmare for officials.

11. Matteo Contini – 21 red cards

Italian defender Matteo Contini was a seasoned veteran of Serie A and La Liga, and also no stranger to a red card. With 21 send-offs to his name, his most notorious moment came when he elbowed Gonzalo Higuain during a fiery clash against Real Madrid.

10. Gerardo Torrado – 22 red cards

Mexican midfielder Gerardo Torrado combined leadership with hard tackling — often too hard. Across nearly 400 games for Cruz Azul and three World Cup campaigns, he racked up 22 red cards, including a late dismissal in the 2001 Copa America final.

9. Alexis Ruano Delgado – 22 red cards

Spanish defender Alexis Delgado could be a match-winner and a liability in the same game. While he scored in a Copa del Rey final for Valencia, his 22 red cards suggest poor judgment. One match even left him with a burst testicle after a brutal collision.

8. Cyril Rool – 27 red cards

Cyril Rool might be the most overlooked red card machine in football. The French midfielder earned 27 career dismissals, many of them in Ligue 1. Known for his relentless aggression, Rool still managed over 350 appearances despite his frequent absences.

7. Rafael Márquez – 22 red cards

Rafael Marquez — Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Rafael Márquez is remembered as one of Mexico’s best defenders — and one of its most hot-headed. With 22 red cards, his career was peppered with moments of rage, including a World Cup headbutt. Years later, he admitted he didn’t regret it.

6. Paolo Montero – 23 red cards

Uruguayan defender Paolo Montero was a rock at Juventus during their golden years but also holds Serie A’s record for red cards. His total of 23 dismissals reflects a career built on tough tackles, sharp elbows, and a win-at-all-costs mentality.

5. c – 25 red cards

Edgar Davids, known as "the pit bull," lived up to his nickname throughout a fiery career that saw 25 red cards. From Ajax to Juventus — and even finishing at Barnet — Davids never toned it down. His final sending-off came for dissent, right before he hung up his boots.

4. Felipe Melo – 26 red cards

Felipe Melo was the ultimate midfield enforcer, never one to back down from a scuffle. With 26 red cards, his résumé includes stamping on Arjen Robben at the World Cup and, at age 40, attacking an opposition staff member after a match in Brazil.

3. Pablo Alfaro – 27 red cards

Pablo Alfaro spent his career dishing out punishment from the back line, amassing 27 red cards in Spain. Known for getting sent off early — sometimes within minutes — Alfaro once questioned whether football had become too soft, even as he kept racking up dismissals.

2. Sergio Ramos – 30 red cards

Sergio Ramos may be one of football’s most decorated defenders, but he’s also one of the most sent off. With 30 red cards, Ramos regularly walked the line between brilliance and brutality. His aggressive style was both his weapon and his downfall.

1. Gerardo Bedoya – 46 red cards

No player in football history has seen red like Gerardo Bedoya. The Colombian collected a staggering 46 red cards, including one as a manager. Despite being a Copa America winner, his legacy will always be defined by his unmatched disciplinary record.