Commonly referred to as the “European Cup”, the UEFA Champions League, established around 69 years ago in 1955, is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious and decorated football leagues in the world. Being the pinnacle of European football, making even a single appearance in the UEFA Champions League is nothing short of a dream for a majority of international football players out there. However, a few football players over the years have been fortunate and privileged enough to make multiple appearances in the UEFA Champions League and guess what – they have just gotten better and all the more lethal at tackling each time!
In this article, we will take a look at the top five football players who have made the most appearances at the UEFA Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 183 Times
Widely crowned as the “G.O.A.T” (Greatest Of All Time) player of football, Cristiano Ronaldo is at the top spot on our list of top five football players who have made the most appearances in the UEFA Champions League. Ronaldo made his first UEFA Champions League appearance in 2003 and has been a mainstay in the world’s most prestigious football league ever since. Cristiano Ronaldo has made a flattering total of one hundred and eighty-three appearances in the UEFA Champions League so far.
Iker Casillas – 177 Times
A former Spanish football player who played as a goalkeeper and is currently associated with football as a commentator is at the second spot on our list of top five football players who have made the most appearances in the UEFA Champions League. Iker Casillas has appeared in the UEFA Champions League for the second-highest total of one hundred and seventy-seven times. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time, Iker Casillas has spent the majority of his football career with Real Madrid and is also one of the very few football players to surpass a total of 1,000 professional football matches.
Lionel Messi – 163 Times
Well, Lionel Messi is undoubtedly one of the greatest names in the history of football that doesn’t need an introduction. The Argentine professional football player holds numerous records and has been awarded with various prestigious trophies and awards including the six European Golden Shoes award, eight Ballon d’Or awards, and many others, speaking volumes about his glorious football career. Apart from all the accolades and awards that Messi has been honored with, the legendary football player and the cornerstone of Barcelona also holds the record for making the third-highest number of appearances at the UEFA Champions League i.e. one hundred and sixty-three.
Karim Benzema – 152 Times
Next, in our list of top five footballers with the highest appearances in the UEFA Champions League, we have a French professional football player, Karim Mostafa Benzema, who has played as a striker all along his football career. It might surprise you a bit to know that Karim Benzema is also Real Madrid’s second-highest goalscorer of all time. Apart from that, Karim Benzema has also scored a total of four hundred goals for his club and his national football team. Karim Benzema has appeared in the UEFA Champions League for a record total of one hundred and fifty-two times.
Thomas Muller – 151 Times
Although at the fifth spot on our list of top five footballers with the highest appearances in the UEFA Champions League, German professional football player Thomas Müller is nothing short of an iconic football legend. Thomas Muller, who plays as either an attacking midfielder or a second striker, has two records associated with the UEFA Champions League – an individual record for appearing fifth-highest times in the league, i.e. one hundred and fifty one, and for making most appearances in the league with the same team.
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