Who has the most yellow cards in football history?

On the pitch of football, players can leave an impression with beautiful goals or excellent assists. However, there are also those who go beyond positive achievements to become the names mentioned as “the recipients of the most yellow cards”. More than simply a number, these players have left their mark with stories, controversial situations, and sometimes, changes in football history. Who has the most yellow cards in football history? Let’s find out with Premiumsoccertips through the article below!

Top 8 most yellow cards in football players

1. Joey Barton – 78 yellow card

Starting off this list is a man who many wouldn’t be surprised to see here. This midfielder excelled in the center of the field but was also known for antics off the pitch. For some, Barton’s lasting memory will be his behavior in the unforgettable final match of the 2011/12 Premier League season.

That match saw him sent off for violent conduct after elbowing Carlos Tevez in the face, then immediately kicking Sergio Agüero before attempting to headbutt Vincent Kompany in a 2-3 loss to Manchester City, as the home team secured their first Premier League title.

Surprisingly, in 269 appearances in the top flight, Barton had a fairly impressive 74% pass completion rate, but he still committed 257 fouls during that time – averaging a yellow card every 3.4 games.

2. Phil Bardsley – 79 yellow card

Next up is Phil Bardsley, a former Manchester United academy graduate who made 303 appearances for Aston Villa, Sunderland, Stoke, and Burnley in the Premier League. This defender also boasted an impressive 78% pass completion rate, completing 731 tackles. However, he also had a relatively high foul rate, committing 333 fouls during his peak playing years.

The Scotland international kept 67 clean sheets in the Premier League, a low number due to playing for teams towards the bottom of the table. Despite playing for teams in the lower half of the table, Bardsley’s yellow card rate per game was better than his predecessor on this list, averaging a yellow card every 3.8 matches.

3. Phil Neville – 82 yellow card

The first Premier League winner on this list belongs to us, as former Manchester United defender Phil Neville has one of the most impressive honors lists among the 15 participants. A member of the ‘Class of 92’ and half of the famous Neville footballing brothers, Phil came through the legendary Red Devils academy and never looked back.

This defender topped the league six times, playing 505 times for United before becoming Everton’s club captain. Neville’s pass completion rate matches Barton at 74%, but he has the best average yellow card rate in the entire list, somehow averaging a yellow card every 6.1 games.

4. Mark Noble – 82 yellow card

Coming in at number 12 is the player representing the first club in this list. West Ham legend Mark Noble played 414 remarkable games for The Hammers in the top flight, captaining his boyhood club for much of his 17-year tenure. Noble matches Neville with 82 yellow cards but has a worse average yellow card rate, placing him higher on the list.

In his 414 appearances, Noble averaged getting booked every 5 games, one of the highest rates in the entire top 15. Noble was a midfield general, completing 876 tackles, but his pass completion rate is the lowest in the list so far, at only 70%.

5. Ashley Young – 83 yellow card

This pacey winger became a full-back, playing 437 top-flight games for Watford, Aston Villa, United, and Everton. Throughout his career, he averaged a yellow card every 5.2 games, ranking third in this list and surpassing his predecessor, Mark Noble, with an impressive 5.0 score.

This Englishman won a solitary league title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season, 2012/13. He surpasses Noble for having the lowest pass completion rate in the list so far, at only 69%.

These are just a few selections from the list you shared. If you have further questions or would like to hear about other players, just let me know!

6. Kevin Nolan – 85 yellow card

Kevin Nolan holds the record for the most yellow cards in Premier League history with 91 yellow cards in his career. He played for three different clubs in the top flight of English football, including Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, and West Ham United. Across 401 appearances, Nolan had a pass completion rate of 73%, which was relatively stable throughout his career. However, it’s notable that Nolan completed only 392 tackles during his Premier League tenure, less than half of his former teammate Mark Noble’s total of 876 tackles. Nolan also contributed significantly to Premier League goals, scoring 69 goals during his career.

Despite receiving many yellow cards, Kevin Nolan was still a player who made a significant impact during his playing career. With impressive goal-scoring ability and consistency as a central midfielder, Nolan left a mark on the history of the Premier League. Despite occasional fouls or disciplinary actions, his goal-scoring record and ability to influence games are what many fans remember and respect about him. Kevin Nolan is an example of perseverance and effort in a player’s career, achieving notable accomplishments in English football.

7. George Boateng – 85 yellow card

Next in the list, we have George Boateng, tied for 9th place with 85 yellow cards. The only non-English player on the list, the former midfielder of Hull, Coventry, Villa, and Middlesbrough played 384 times in the Premier League, receiving an average of 4.5 yellow cards per game – a slightly higher rate than Kevin Nolan’s.

However, Boateng had a higher pass completion rate than Nolan, with a score of 76%, as the Dutch-born Ghanaian midfielder completed 314 tackles during his time in the Premier League. His 12-season spell in the top flight was one of the shortest in England among the players on this list, but he still managed to rise to 9th place during that time. This was mainly due to him being one of the most capped Dutch players in Premier League history.

8. Lee Cattermole – 88 yellow card

Number 8 holds special significance for Lee Cattermole, who had a notable career in the top flight of English football. Cattermole had a long-standing association with Sunderland, after moving from Middlesbrough and having a short spell at Wigan Athletic. During his Premier League career, he played 271 games, a total equivalent to George Boateng, who also played 12 seasons in this league.

What stands out about Lee Cattermole is the number 88 – the total number of yellow cards he received in his career. Cattermole became a prominent figure for attracting referee’s attention, with an average rate of about three yellow cards per game, which is the highest in this list. Not only that, he also received 7 red cards during this period, meaning he was sent off once every 38 matches he played. These statistics highlight Cattermole’s prominence in catching the referee’s eye and showcasing his performance as a defensive midfielder for his team.

Conclude

The article highlights the who has the most yellow cards in football history. The number of yellow cards is not only a number, but it also partly reflects how the players affect the control and unity of the game. Despite fouls and receiving cards, these players still made significant contributions and left their own mark in football history. Their careers are a testament to the perseverance, effort and ability of each in the football community.

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