Red card is something supporters of a club are not happy about when it’s shown to the players they love. But in todays, there have been some footballers who have maintained a clean sheet for not getting a red card.
History Of Red Card
In the 18th and 19th century football had no red or yellow card issue to players for offensive behavior or tackling not until Sir Kenneth George Aston came into the picture. Sir Kenneth George Aston of blessed memory was a former military officer, teacher and football referee official. He well known for officiating 1963 FA Cup final between Manchester United and Leicester City in Wembley Stadium, London. The match attendance was 99,604, Manchester United won the match 3 goals to 1 thanks to brace from David Herd and a goal from Denis Law. Sir Kenneth George Aston also a 1962 world cup between Chile and Italy. The match is referred to as Battle Of Santiago. It was a fierce match between the two nation. Sir Kenneth Aston was appointed to join the FIFA referees committee board,on one his trips he caught on idea of the red and yellow card whiles on traffic watching and thinking about the idea. He suggested it to FIFA but it was not implemented until 1974.
1. Raul Gonzalez: Real Madrid and Spanish legend Raul Gonzalez, having played most of his football career at Real Madrid, the Spaniard won everything that is 3 Uefa Champion league, 6 La Liga, 4 Supercopa de Espana and many more. He spent 16 years in Los Blancos (1994 – 2010). He went on to play for Schalke 04, Al Sadd and New York Cosmos. Raul Gonzalez played over 1000 matches without been sent off.
2. Michel Platini: Former Uefa President boss and three times ballon d’or winner Michel Platini. The French and Juventus legend was listed in Pele list of greatest living footballers. He is mostly remembered during his spell for Italian club Juventus, were he won the ballon d’or,winning serie A and the Uefa champion league.
3. Andres Iniesta: Mostly remembered during his playing days with Catalan club Barcelona, Andres Iniesta had excellent ball control and passing abilities. The Spaniard helped Barcelona win trophies and important matches especially with rival Real Madrid. He is admired and also remembered for his partnership with fellow team mates Xavi Hernandez and 8 time ballon d’or winner Lionel Messi.
4. Ryan Giggs : Having spent his whole football career with Manchester united, Welsh star Ryan Giggs never got a red card. After playing 632 games for the red devils, scoring 109 and assisting 162 the Wales international was never sent off. He won 34 trophies durin his spell with Manchester United which included 13 English premier league titles, 2 Uefa champion league, 1 Uefa Super, 1 Fifa club world cup, 9 FA community shield cup, 4 FA cup and many mores.
5. Karim Benzema
With all 800 career matches, Karim Benzema the 2022 ballon d’or winner takes the fifth spot.Karim Benzema is mostly remembered as a Real Madrid legend having won 25 trophies in his 14 years in Santiago Bernabeu. Karim Benzema move to Al-Ittihad made him one of the top earners in the world.
6. Philipp Lahm
Bayern Munich legend takes this spot.Philipp Lahm who mostly spent his career with German giants didn’t receive a red card.This is something most people wondered how he did that due to his position playing as a defender.Philipp Lahm was part of the Germany national team who lift the 2014 world cup held in Brazil.
7. Stanley Matthews
English Sir Stanley Matthews takes the seventh spot.He is mostly remembered as the oldest and first recipient of Ballon d’or in 1956. Sir Stanley Matthews played active people till the age of 50 years.Sir Stanley Matthews never received a yellow or red in his whole career playing for both Stoke City and Blackpool.
8. Marco Bode
One man club Marco Bode takes the eighth spot. Marco Bode spent 14 years in Werder Bremen.Top clubs like Bayern Munich and Juventus were interested in him but he decided to be in Werder Breme.He scored 120 goals in over 400 appearances for the club.He never got a red during those matches.
9. Gary Lineker
Spurs and Barcelona legend takes this spot. Now a pundit,the former forward played over 461 matches and just like Sir Stanley Matthews never got a red or yellow card. Gary Lineker also nicknamed ” gentleman Gary” because of his disciples and ethics.
10. Hernan Crespo
The Argentine legend completes this article. Hernan Crespo played for top clubs like Parma, Chelsea,AC Milan,Inter Milan,Lazio,River Plate and Genoa.Hernan Crespo never got booked for a red card.
