Sergio Ramos: The most red carded player of the 21st century
Sergio Ramos, arguably one of the most accomplished defenders of his generation, is currently the most red-carded player in La Liga history. Beyond his defensive prowess, Ramos is equally renowned for his remarkable last-minute goals!
Ramos carved himself a spot amongst the best defenders in football history. He has won everything under the sun, including four UEFA Champions League titles alongside a World Cup!
Ramos was born on March 30, 1986, in Camas, Sevilla (Spain). He developed a passion for the sport while playing with neighborhood friends on the street.
Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!
The Spanish defender burst onto the football scene as a promising young talent for Sevilla FC. He honed his skills in the club's youth squads but quickly made his way to the top.
He quickly made his way to the first team in 2004 where he would generate a big interest from clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
Young Ramos signed for Real Madrid back in 2005, at the age of 19. He claimed number 4 for his jersey, after the departure of Fernando Hierro. He made his official debut on September 10, at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ramos displayed a fearless approach to defending, a trait that would define his playing style and contribute to his red card tally. His aggressive playing style is part of his identity on the pitch. He currently holds the La Liga record for 20 red cards!
The Spanish centerback has a total of 29 career red cards, making him the most booked player in the 21st century. Rafa Marquez is behind Ramos with 21 red cards.
Ramos' first career red came just a month into his first season with Real Madrid (2005). He saw a second yellow against Espanyol after a mistimed tackle.
Throughout his career, Ramos has been involved in some high-profile incidents that led to a red card. One of the most memorable incidents was during the 2017 El Clasico, after a two-footed lunge on Leo Messi.
Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi exchanged blows over the years to later become teammates at PSG. What started as a fierce rivalry between the two ended up as a respectful friendship.
The Bernabeu would praise Ramos for his aggressive defending, especially when marking the eight-time Balon d'Or winner.
Another memorable booking occurred during a PSG-Reims fixture back in 2022, where Ramos got sent off just a minute after he received his first yellow.
The last time Ramos got sent off was during a 2023 La Liga fixture against Real Sociedad.
A two-foot tackle knocked Brais Mendez down to his feet which saw Ramos get sent off with less than ten minutes left in the game!
Sergio Ramos's red card history is an integral part of his football narrative. Critics and opponents may highlight the disciplinary concerns but fans and teammates celebrate his passion on the pitch. He will be remembered as the unbreakable defender.