Football is a beautiful game, but sometimes it can get ugly. Players can lose their temper, make rash decisions, or commit violent fouls that result in red cards. A red card means that the player is sent off the pitch and cannot be replaced by a substitute. This can have a huge impact on the game and the team’s performance.
In this article, we will look at the most shocking red cards in football history. We will rank the top 10 players with the most red cards in their careers and examine some of their most notorious incidents. These are the players who have earned a reputation for being hot-headed, aggressive, or reckless on the field.
Sergio Ramos – 26 red cards
Sergio Ramos is one of the most decorated defenders in football history. He has won multiple trophies with Real Madrid, Sevilla, and Spain, including four Champions League titles and two World Cups. He is also one of the most controversial players in football history. He has received 26 red cards in his career, more than any other active player. Some of his most shocking red cards are:
- In 2010, he got two yellow cards in less than a minute for fouling Lionel Messi and then pushing Carles Puyol in a heated El Clasico.
- In 2017, he received a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Messi in another El Clasico.
- In 2018, he was sent off for elbowing Milan Havel in a Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen.
- In 2019, he deliberately got a yellow card to miss the second leg of a Champions League tie against Ajax, but UEFA punished him with an extra game ban.
Gerardo Bedoya – 46 red cards
Gerardo Bedoya is the player with the most red cards in football history. He has been sent off 46 times in his career, which spanned from 1995 to 2015. He played as a defensive midfielder for various clubs in Colombia and Argentina, as well as for the Colombia national team. He was known for his physical and aggressive style of play, which often crossed the line. Some of his most shocking red cards are:
- In 2002, he was banned for 15 games for elbowing an opponent and then kicking him in the face while he was on the ground.
- In 2012, he was banned for 12 games for headbutting an opponent and then hitting him with his knee while he was on the ground.
- In 2015, he was banned for 8 games for punching an opponent in the face after a foul.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 13 red cards
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the most prolific and charismatic strikers in football history. He has scored over 500 goals for clubs such as Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, PSG, Manchester United, and AC Milan, as well as for the Sweden national team. He is also one of the most temperamental and controversial players in football history. He has received 13 red cards in his career, some of which were very shocking. Some of his most shocking red cards are:
- In 2005, he was sent off for slapping an opponent in the face while playing for Juventus against AS Roma.
- In 2011, he was sent off for stomping on an opponent’s chest while playing for AC Milan against Napoli.
- In 2013, he was sent off for kicking an opponent in the head while playing for PSG against Valencia.
Conclusion
We have seen some of the most shocking red cards in football history. These are the players who have made headlines for their bad behavior and poor discipline on the pitch. They have also shown their talent and skill on many occasions, but they have also tarnished their legacy with their red cards.
What do you think of these players and their red cards? Do you agree with our ranking? Do you know any other players who deserve to be on this list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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