Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Who has received most red cards?

Ronaldo has received more red cards than Messi in his career.

Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are legends of the game of football. No other duo has impacted the landscape of this sport so much. Even though both are over 35 years old, they continue to attract fans’ attention, be it for their legendary past or their ongoing display of longevity.

From the start of their careers, success has been a part and parcel of their game. The Argentinian winger did, however, win the most coveted international trophy that most people long for in their career. After winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup title with the Argentina national football team, the former La Masia graduate won his eighth Ballon d’Or title. Surely no other player has done it on more occasions.

Well, there is a Portuguese sensation who isn’t far off on this list. Ronaldo has also celebrated winning the Ballon d’Or title on five different occasions. That’s two more than the following three players who are third in the all-time winners list – Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten.

Even the Brazilian phenom Ronaldo Nazario had won only two Ballon d’Ors in his highly acclaimed career. With the Portugal national football team, Cristiano Ronaldo has won the UEFA Euro 2016 title.

Apart from the accolades that both superstars have won, there is a side of their game that also needs to be looked at. We are talking about the disciplinary side of their game.

Who has received most red cards in their career?

Lionel Messi’s red cards in his career: 3

Cristiano Ronaldo’s red cards in his career: 13

Cristiano Ronaldo has more red cards than Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo has seen 11 more red cards over the course of his successful career than Lionel Messi.

His recent red card came in national team colours after the striker was caught in an incident that resulted in a sending off. It was his first-ever red card in his international career, and he has now been shown 13 red cards in his playing time.

Half of the total 12 red cards were achieved in the blissful tenure with Real Madrid. Adding one from his days with Juventus and four more had been shown in the red kit of Manchester United.

Lionel Messi has seen just three red cards

Lionel Messi has received just three red cards so far in his very long career. And all three of those have been a straight red. Messi’s first red came in his international debut in a friendly match against Hungary back in 2005. Then his career’s second red came after a period of 14 years.

This was also on international duty against Chile. Messi’s only ever club career red was handed in the Supercopa final against Athletic Club. It was in FC Barcelona shirt.

Red cards while playing for their national teams

Cristiano Ronaldo received his FIRST red card for Portugal against Ireland in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 13 November 2025 after 226 caps.

While, Lionel Messi received his first red card for Argentina in his first cap.

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