Neymar, Casemiro, Xhaka, Busquets: Who was the most-booked player of 2022?

The most booked players of 2022 have been named – and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar features prominently.

That’s according to data provided by the team over at Transfermarkt, who recently calculated the 20 most frequently cautioned individuals across Europe’s top five leagues in the calendar year, counting all competitions, as well as international appearances.

Neymar was already comfortably set for a place in the top 10 of the countdown heading to PSG’s final match of 2022 against Strasbourg last week.

However, the talented Brazilian endured a nightmare return to Ligue 1 action after the World Cup, picking up a pair of yellow cards in the space of just a few minutes – the second for simulation – to ensure to his night ended early.

READ MORE: Neymar: Why was Brazil star sent off on PSG return?

Those sanctions were enough to see the 30-year-old close out the year as the second-worst offender on this list.

Neymar is joined in the top five by his PSG teammate Marco Verrati. The reigning French champions, though, aren’t the only club with multiple representatives in this countdown.

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – APRIL 11: Footballers Neymar and Marco Verratti attend day two of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 11, 2022 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Barcelona also have two entrants, while Manchester United and Sevilla led the way with three squad members each in the top 20.

The Old Trafford trio are among five Premier League players to make the top 20.

We’ve taken a look at the countdown in full below.

The most-booked players of 2022 20. Bruno Fernandes (Man United/Portugal)

Games: 59 | Yellow cards: 14

19. Granit Xhaka (Arsenal/Switzerland)

Games: 54 | Yellow cards: 14

18. Jordi Alba (Barcelona/Spain)

Games: 50 | Yellow cards: 14

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 14: Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona pass the ball during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Leg Two match between FC Barcelona and Eintracht Frankfurt at Camp Nou on April 14, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) 17. Nemanja Gudelj (Sevilla/Serbia)

Games: 47 | Yellow cards: 14

16. Sandro Tonali (AC Milan/Italy)

Games: 45 | Yellow cards: 14

15. Scott McTominay (Man United/Scotland)

Games: 45 | Yellow cards: 14

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Scott McTominay of Manchester United after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on August 22, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) 14. Gary Medel (Bologna/Chile)

Games: 41 | Yellow cards: 14

13. Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot/Ghana)

Games: 38 | Yellow cards: 14

12. Oscar Trejo (Rayo Vallecano)

Games: 36 | Yellow cards: 14

11. Antonio Raillo (Mallorca)

Games: 32 | Yellow cards: 14

The ultimate football quiz of 2022 10. Casemiro (Man United/Brazil)

Games: 58 | Yellow cards: 15

9. Sofayan Amrabat (Fiorentina/Morocco)

Games: 50 | Yellow cards: 15

8. Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla/Argentina)

Games: 35 | Yellow cards: 15

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR – DECEMBER 18: Gonzalo Montiel of Argentina scores their sides fourth and winning penalty during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) 7. Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham/Uruguay)

Games: 54 | Yellow cards: 18

6. Sergio Busquets (Barcelona/Spain)

Games: 54 | Yellow cards: 18

5. Marcos Acuna (Sevilla/Argentina)

Games: 46 | Yellow cards: 18

4. Marco Verratti (PSG/Italy)

Games: 43 | Yellow cards: 18

3. Stefan Savic (Atletico Madrid/Montenegro)

Games: 38 | Yellow cards: 18

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 13: Stefan Savic of Atletico Madrid reacts after the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg Two match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester City at Wanda Metropolitano on April 13, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) 2. Neymar (PSG/Brazil)

Games: 43 | Yellow cards: 19

1. Gianluca Mancini (Roma/Italy)

Games: 45 | Yellow cards: 20

In recent seasons, Man United squads have – at times – been accused of lacking a competitive edge as the club have endured some of worst campaigns in their Premier League history.

With combative midfielder Casemiro now at the heart of Erik ten Hag’s side, fighting spirit is no longer an issue – even if the Brazilian is prone to picking up yellow cards on a regular basis. The same can be same for Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes.

Casemiro’s arrival at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ has ultimately led to less game time for Scott McTominay, although that hasn’t prevented the Scotsman from featuring on the countdown.

Europe’s most booked players of 2022 list.

In terms of a sheer number of fixtures, 2022 was a busy year for the world’s top players as the FIFA World Cup was held in the winter for the first time in tournament history.

Surprisingly, though, the most-booked man of 2022 plays for a nation that didn’t make it to Qatar.

Italy’s Gianluca Mancini – who plays his club football for Roma – racked up 20 bookings in just 45 outings in 2022.

The 26-year-old was also sent-off at AC Milan in early January, meaning he served a total of three separation suspensions in the year for disciplinary reasons.

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Gianluca Mancini of Roma celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on January 10, 2021 in Rome, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Latest transfer news (Football Terrace)

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