For the past two decades, who has been football’s most flamboyant figure? Check out the top ten players with the most red cards right here.
Over the course of his career, the average footballer receives only a few red cards. They can be for anything from a last-ditch attempt in a game to losing his temper totally.
The list of reasons could go on and on…Some of them, on the other hand, appear to have a history of falling into the referee’s bad books on a regular basis.
These players, dubbed “bad lads” by some, abound in the world of football. Even if they don’t want to accept it, they’re a component of the sport that most fans enjoy.
Now, according to Transfermarkt, Sergio Ramos has received the most red cards since 2000, with a total of 26. Former Real Madrid captain has also received 259 yellow cards, making him the clear ‘winner’ of this record.
Sergio Ramos is regarded as one of the greatest defenders in football history.
The Spaniard has had an incredible career, appearing for Sevilla, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain.
He’s also represented Spain 180 times, winning nearly everything there is to win for both club and country.
Ramos, on the other hand, is far from ideal. Perhaps the Spaniard’s biggest problem is his temper.
He’s a hard-hitting defender who has lost his mind on multiple occasions. That means he’s racked up a lot of red cards throughout his career.
He’s been shown so many red cards that he holds the record for the most in the twenty-first century. It’s also not even close.
The ten players in Europe’s top five leagues who have been sent off the most in the twenty-first century have been graphically represented by Transfermarkt.
Ramos has a significant lead. Take a look at their list below…
Since 2000, Ramos has received a total of 26 red cards. That’s an incredible total. Despite a season marred by injuries, he managed to go the entire 2020/21 season without receiving a red card. Maybe he’s a different person now?
His most recent red card was in a Champions League match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in February 2020.
Ramos has gotten ten more red cards than anyone else. That’s really impressive work.
Thiago Motta and Philippe Mexes are tied for second place, having been sent off 16 times each.
In 367 games for Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Internazionale, Genoa, and his country Italy, Thiago Motta has received 16 red cards and 96 yellow cards.
While Philippe Mexes has received 16 red cards and 94 yellow cards in 267 matches in all competitions while playing for AS Roma, AJ Auxerre, AC Milan, and France.
Gonzalo Rodriguez, who has played for both Villarreal and Fiorentina, has been sent off 16 times and has accumulated a total of 96 yellow cards in all competition.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been sent off 14 times, is also on the list. In the 2020/21 season, the now-40-year-old Swedish striker was sent off twice.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has received 14 red cards and 111 yellow cards in 645 games for AFC Ajax, Paris Saint-Germain, Sweden, Barcelona, Juventus, Internazionale, AC Milan, Manchester United, and Los Angeles Galaxy in all competitions.
Pepe, Ramos’ partner in crime, is strangely absent from the top ten list.
