In soccer, only a chosen few have hit the incredible milestone of 1,000 match appearances (caps), these players are like timeless legends.
They didn’t just play, they lived and breathed the game.
These are the players who didn’t mind getting their boots dirty week after week, year after year.
We’re talking about the footballers who stuck around for ages, making countless appearances and becoming part of the beautiful game fabric.
- 1. Peter Shilton – 1,411 Caps
- 2. Paul Bastock – 1,286 Caps
- 3. Fábio – 1,271 Caps
- 4. Rogério Ceni – 1,226 Caps
- 5. Cristiano Ronaldo – 1,216 Caps
- 6. František Plánička – 1,187 Caps
- 7. Tommy Hutchison – 1,178 Caps
- 8. Gianluigi Buffon – 1,175 Caps
- 9. Yasuhito Endō – 1,150 Caps
- 10. Xavi – 1,148 Caps
- 11. Roberto Carlos – 1,141 Caps
- 12. Pat Jennings – 1,132 Caps
- 13. Iker Casillas – 1,125 Caps
- 14. Ray Clemence – 1,119 Caps
- 15. Javier Zanetti – 1,115 Caps
- 16. Marcelinho Paraíba – 1,097 Caps
- 17. Zé Roberto – 1,067 Caps
- 18. Lionel Messi – 1,095 Caps
- 19. Tony Ford – 1,083 caps
- 20. Dani Alves – 1,080 Caps
- Which Soccer Players Have The Most Caps?
1. Peter Shilton – 1,411 Caps
A legendary goalkeeper who played for a remarkably long time from 1966 to 1997.
Imagine being the last line of defense for your team in over 1,400 matches.
Shilton is England’s most capped player and was known for his safe hands and quick reactions. He had a genuinely astonishing career.
2. Paul Bastock – 1,286 Caps
Bastock was a goalkeeper who played for an incredible 33 years, from 1987 to 2020.
He wasn’t in the spotlight like some other players, but his dedication to lower-league football and his 1,286 appearances made him a beloved figure.
He is also the current active player with the most official appearances as he is currently a player-manager for Boston United.
3. Fábio – 1,271 Caps
The Brazilian goalkeeper had a lengthy career from 1997 to 2021.
He made 1,271 appearances, showcasing his remarkable agility and reflexes. He played for various clubs in Brazil and Europe, gaining recognition for his consistent performances.
4. Rogério Ceni – 1,226 Caps
Another Brazilian goalkeeper played from 1990 to 2015 and scored more than 100 goals during his career.
He was famous for his free-kick and penalty-taking skills, which is unusual for a goalkeeper.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo – 1,216 Caps
One of the most well-known footballers started his career in 2002 and is still going strong with over 1,200 appearances.
He currently holds the record among outfield players and is also the active outfield player with the most official appearances.
He is also the player with the most appearances in international football (198).
His incredible athleticism and goal-scoring ability have made him one of the best in the world.
6. František Plánička – 1,187 Caps
A Czech goalkeeper played from 1926 to 1948.
He was like a brick wall in front of the goal, known for his quick reflexes and agility. He played most of his career at Slavia Prague.
7. Tommy Hutchison – 1,178 Caps
Tommy Hutchison, a midfielder, spent his career from 1970 to 1994 making 1,178 appearances.
He was a versatile player who could control the game’s tempo and provide crucial assists.
8. Gianluigi Buffon – 1,175 Caps
An Italian goalkeeper, played from 1995 to 2021.
He was a leader on the field, known for his ability to stop shots and his cool demeanor. He spent most of his career at Juventus.
9. Yasuhito Endō – 1,150 Caps
Yasuhito Endō, a Japanese midfielder, played from 1996 to 2017.
He was like a conductor on the field, orchestrating the game with his precise passes. He spent most of his career at Gamba Osaka.
10. Xavi – 1,148 Caps
A Spanish midfielder, has been a dominant force in football since 1998. He’s currently Barcelona’s head coach.
Xavi is known for his incredible passing ability and his role in Barcelona’s success.
11. Roberto Carlos – 1,141 Caps
The Brazilian football legend played professionally from 1991 to 2012.
He was renowned for his powerful left-footed free-kicks and spent the majority of his career with Real Madrid, contributing to their success.
12. Pat Jennings – 1,132 Caps
An exceptional goalkeeper who enjoyed a career from 1962 to 1986.
He was a stalwart for Northern Ireland and prominent English clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
13. Iker Casillas – 1,125 Caps
The Spanish goalkeeper had a stellar career from 1999 to 2020.
He was a key figure for both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, achieving numerous titles, including a FIFA World Cup.
14. Ray Clemence – 1,119 Caps
A highly dependable goalkeeper, played professionally from 1965 to 1988.
He made significant contributions to Liverpool and the England national team, participating in various domestic and international successes.
15. Javier Zanetti – 1,115 Caps
Zanetti, an Argentine, displayed his versatility from 1992 to 2014.
Known for his tenacity and commitment, Zanetti spent the majority of his illustrious career at Inter Milan, becoming a club legend.
16. Marcelinho Paraíba – 1,097 Caps
A skillful midfielder, showcased his talent from 1994 to 2019. He left his mark with creative play at various clubs in Brazil and Europe.
17. Zé Roberto – 1,067 Caps
A versatile Brazilian player contributed in both defense and midfield from 1994 to 2017.
He featured for renowned clubs like Bayern Munich and made a significant impact with the Brazilian national team.
18. Lionel Messi – 1,095 Caps
Considered one of football’s greatest, has been an active player since 2000.
With over 1,000 appearances, he’s celebrated for his dribbling and scoring prowess, particularly during his historic tenure at Barcelona.
19. Tony Ford – 1,083 caps
An English player known for his versatility, enjoyed a career spanning from 1977 to 1998.
He showcased his reliability in various positions, primarily in lower-league English football.
20. Dani Alves – 1,080 Caps
A Brazilian renowned for his attacking abilities as a full-back has been a force since 2001.
He’s achieved several titles with clubs like Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, displaying an exciting style of play.
Which Soccer Players Have The Most Caps?
| Rank | Player | Pos. | Apps | Year Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter Shilton | G | 1,411 | 1966-1997 |
| 2 | Paul Bastock | G | 1,286 | 1987-2020 |
| 3 | Fábio | G | 1,271 | 1997-2021 |
| 4 | Rogério Ceni | G | 1,226 | 1990-2015 |
| 5 | Cristiano Ronaldo | F | 1,216 | 2002-Present |
| 6 | František Plánička | G | 1,187 | 1926-1948 |
| 7 | Tommy Hutchison | M | 1,178 | 1970-1994 |
| 8 | Gianluigi Buffon | G | 1,175 | 1995-2021 |
| 9 | Yasuhito Endō | M | 1,150 | 1996-2017 |
| 10 | Xavi | M | 1,148 | 1998-Present |
| 11 | Roberto Carlos | D | 1,141 | 1991-2012 |
| 12 | Pat Jennings | G | 1,132 | 1962-1986 |
| 13 | Iker Casillas | G | 1,125 | 1999-2020 |
| 14 | Ray Clemence | G | 1,119 | 1965-1988 |
| 15 | Javier Zanetti | D/M | 1,115 | 1992-2014 |
| 16 | Marcelinho Paraíba | M | 1,097 | 1994-2019 |
| 17 | Zé Roberto | D/M | 1,067 | 1994-2017 |
| 18 | Lionel Messi | F | 1,095 | 2000-Present |
| 19 | Tony Ford | D/M | 1,083 | 1977-1998 |
| 20 | Dani Alves | D/M | 1,080 | 2001-Present |
| 21 | Zinho | M | 1,078 | 1987-2005 |
| 22 | Raúl | F | 1,071 | 1994-2015 |
| 23 | Jamie Cureton | F | 1,071 | 1993-2020 |
| 24 | Zé Roberto | D/M | 1,067 | 1994-2017 |
| 25 | Rivaldo | M | 1,063 | 1993-2015 |
| 26 | Alan Ball | M | 1,057 | 1962-1984 |
| 27 | David Seaman | G | 1,053 | 1981-2004 |
| 28 | João Moutinho | M | 1,050 | 2000-Present |
| 29 | Glenn Ferguson | F | 1,047 | 1988-2011 |
| 30 | Andrés Iniesta | M | 1,047 | 2001-2022 |
| 31 | Frank Lampard | M | 1,046 | 1995-2017 |
| 32 | Paolo Maldini | D | 1,044 | 1984-2009 |
| 33 | Ryan Giggs | M | 1,044 | 1990-2014 |
| 34 | Kazuyoshi Miura | F | 1,043 | 1986-2021 |
| 35 | Luka Modrić | M | 1,030 | 2003-Present |
| 36 | Graham Alexander | D | 1,025 | 1991-2012 |
| 37 | Andoni Zubizarreta | G | 1,024 | 1980-1998 |
| 37 | Noel Bailie | D/M | 1,024 | 1989-2013 |
| 39 | David James | G | 1,023 | 1988-2014 |
| 40 | Timmy Simons | D/M | 1,023 | 1996-2019 |
| 41 | Ian Callaghan | M | 1,017 | 1959-1978 |
| 42 | Clarence Seedorf | M | 1,017 | 1992-2014 |
| 43 | Pepe Reina | G | 1,007 | 1999-Present |
| 44 | Sergio Ramos | D | 1,005 | 2002-Present |
Is There A Footballer Who Has Played Over 1,000 Games?
Yes, some footballers have played over 1,000 games in their careers. There are over 44 footballers with more than 1,000 caps
- England Peter Shilton – 1,411 games
- England Paul Bastock – 1,286+ games
- Brazil Fábio – 1,271+ games
- Brazil Rogério Ceni – 1,226 games
- Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo – 1,216 games
- England Stevenage Borough – 1,188+ games