The UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle of club football across the world. Which players have appeared the most times in this prestigious tournament? Here are five players with the most UEFA Champions League appearances, as they illustrate unrivalled careers and their impact on the game.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (183 Appearances)
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Cristiano Ronaldo has made 183 Champions League appearances, a record. His career also included spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, where he became the competition’s all-time top scorer, as per UEFA. However, Ronaldo was a major player and his performances in the tournament cannot be forgotten.
2. Iker Casillas (177 Appearances)
Former goalkeeper Iker Casillas is second with 177 appearances. Casillas, who spent most of his career at Real Madrid, is best remembered for his impressive shot-stopping and captaincy that helped the Spanish club win three European Cup titles. In fact, his tenure at Porto saw him become one of the most celebrated goalkeepers in football history.
3. Lionel Messi (163 Appearances)
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Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is third on the list with 163 appearances, having been mainly at the club throughout his career before moving to Paris Saint-Germain. Known for his exceptional dribbling and playmaking skills, Messi has four Champions League titles to his name and is considered among the best of all time.
4. Karim Benzema (152 Appearances)
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Next up is Karim Benzema, who has played 152 times in the tournament. Real Madrid’s French striker thrived since joining in 2009, playing a big role in their Champions League success and much else. His ability to score crucial goals has now put him up there with the best forwards in European football, as per Wikipedia.
5. Xavi Hernandez (151 Appearances)
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Xavi Hernández completes the top five with 151 appearances for Barcelona during his time at the club. Xavi was famed for his outstanding passing and vision on the pitch, and as a key player in Barcelona’s European dominance, his success saw him win four Champions League titles.
As fans reflect on these legendary careers, questions arise: Will any current players set these records? What do these players’ appearances tell us about their team impacts as a whole? New talents will emerge, while current players will still compete at high levels, and the answers will unfold.
