In association football, at least 50 players have played at least 1,000 official matches at all age levels. Regarding youth football, only matches with national teams are counted, as such data for club levels cannot be found for the majority of the players. Regarding B teams and reserve teams, appearances for such teams are only included if made in the primary football pyramid and not in reserve divisions. War-time results are also excluded if they were later regarded as unofficial by the relevant Football Association(s); if they were included, Billy Meredith would be the first ever player to have played in 1,000 official matches [1] and Stanley Matthews would also make the list. [2]
English goalkeeper Peter Shilton holds the record for the most appearances, making over 1,400 appearances between the 1960s and 1990s, including a national record of 125 appearances for England, and in 1996 became the first footballer to make 1,000 league appearances. [3] In March 2022, Robert Carmona from Uruguay was recognized as the oldest active footballer by Guinness World Records [4] [5] [6] and was reported as having played around 2,200 official matches, [4] [5] [6] a total that would place him at the top of the list by far; however, due to a lack of details about the distribution of these matches per year and team, or even which teams he played for, [7] [8] he cannot currently be added to the list.
As of 03:15, 21 August 2024 (UTC)
NOTE: Only professional and notable players who had a professional career are included.
Bold indicates the player is currently active.
+ indicates there may be more matches.
Notes
Rank | Player | Matches | Career span |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 1,233 | 1965–1997 |
2 | ![]() | 1,228 | 1990–2015 |
3 | ![]() | 1,207 | 2001– |
4 | ![]() | 1,159+ | 1997– |
5 | ![]() | 1,081 | 1992–2014 |
6 | ![]() | 1,078 | 1993–2023 |
7 | ![]() | 1,078 | 1985–2007 |
8 | ![]() | 1,070 | 1965–1988 |
9 | ![]() | 1,066 | 1991–2011 |
10 | ![]() | 1,060 | 2001– |
11 | ![]() | 1,056 | 1986–2011 |
12 | ![]() | 1,051 | 2004– |
13 | ![]() | 1,049 | 1962–1986 |
14 | ![]() | 1,048 | 1998–2019 |
15 | ![]() | 1,042 | 1994–2017 |
16 | ![]() | 1,040 | 1994–2015 |
17 | ![]() | 1,036 | 1997– |
18 | ![]() | 1,032 | 1985–2009 |
19 | ![]() | 1,031 | 1990–2014 |
20 | ![]() | 1,023 | 1997–2019 |
21 | ![]() | 1,017 | 1989–2011 |
22 | ![]() | 1,013 | 2003– |
23 | ![]() | 1,010 | 1994–2016 |
24 | ![]() | 1,006 | 1989–2015 |
Notes
Rank | Player | Matches | Career span |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 1,226 | 2002– |
2 | ![]() | 1,225 | 1993–2015 |
3 | ![]() | 1,217 | 1966–1996 |
4 | ![]() | 1,182 | 2000– |
5 | ![]() | 1,090 | 1991–2015 |
6 | ![]() | 1,070 | 1995–2023 |
7 | ![]() | 1,069 | 1965–1988 |
8 | ![]() | 1,067 | 1993–2014 |
9 | ![]() | 1,062 | 2004– |
10 | ![]() | 1,056 | 2001–2023 |
11 | ![]() | 1,048 | 1999–2019 |
12 | ![]() | 1,046 | 1963–1986 |
13 | ![]() | 1,041 | 1987–2011 |
14 | ![]() | 1,038 | 2003– |
15 | ![]() | 1,034 | 1994–2015 |
16 | ![]() | 1,028 | 1985–2009 |
17 | ![]() | 1,028 | 1998–2023 |
18 | ![]() | 1,027 | 1990–2014 |
19 | ![]() | 1,020 | 2004– |
20 | ![]() | 1,017 | 1998–2019 |
21 | ![]() | 1,013 | 1989–2011 |
22 | ![]() | 1,009 | 1995–2016 |
Notes
The Brazil national football team, nicknamed Seleção Canarinho, represents Brazil in men's international football and is administered by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the governing body for football in Brazil. They have been a member of FIFA since 1923 and a member of CONMEBOL since 1916.
Romário de Souza Faria, known simply as Romário, is a Brazilian politician and professional footballer. A prolific striker renowned for his clinical finishing, he scored over 700 goals and is one of the few players to score at least 100 goals for three clubs. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time. Romário starred for Brazil in their 1994 FIFA World Cup triumph, receiving the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year the same year. He came fifth in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll in 1999, was elected to the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002, and was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004.
Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known as Zico, is a Brazilian football coach and former player who played as an attacking midfielder. Often called the "White Pelé", he was a creative playmaker, with excellent technical skills, vision and an eye for goal, who is considered one of the most clinical finishers and best passers ever, as well as one of the greatest players of all time. Arguably the world's best player of the late 1970s and early 80s, he is regarded as one of the best playmakers and free kick specialists in history, able to bend the ball in all directions. By one estimate, Zico is the player that scored the most goals from direct free kicks, with 101 goals.
Magno Alves de Araújo is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker.
Marcelo Pereira Surcin, known as Marcelinho Carioca, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He was noted for his accuracy from free-kicks, having scored 80 free kick goals in official matches during his career, the most by any player, earning him the nickname "Pé-de-Anjo".
Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel, simply known as Fábio, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Fluminense. He currently has the second-most official appearances ever for a professional football player.
Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, known as Marcelo, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Fluminense. Widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs of all time, he is known for his offensive capabilities, trickery, and technical qualities. He spent most of his career with Spanish club Real Madrid and is one of the club's most decorated player, with 25 trophies won.
Alan Kardec de Souza Pereira Júnior, known as Alan Kardec, is a Brazilian professional football player who plays for Atlético Mineiro as a striker.
Paulo Roberto Falcão, or simply Falcão, is a Brazilian former footballer and football manager. He is universally considered one of the greatest Brazilian players of all time and one of the greatest defensive midfielders in football history, and one of the best players in the world in his position at his peak in the 1980s.
Roberto Júnior Fernández Torres, better known as Gatito Fernández, is a Paraguayan footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Botafogo.
Gabriel Barbosa Almeida, commonly known as Gabigol or Gabi, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward.
Giorgian Daniel de Arrascaeta Benedetti is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Flamengo and the Uruguay national team.
José Carlos Cracco Neto, known as Zeca, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a right or left back for Vitória. Zeca helped Brazil win a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, starting all 6 games of the tournament and playing 554 of a possible 570 minutes.
Paulo Henrique Sampaio Filho, commonly known as Paulinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Atlético Mineiro and the Brazil national team.
Carlos Augusto Zopolato Neves, known as Carlos Augusto, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back or left wing-back for Serie A club Inter Milan, and the Brazil national team. He is also capable of playing as a centre-back, and has been praised for his defensive abilities and his crossing.
Geyse da Silva Ferreira, commonly known as Geyse and previously Pretinha, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for English Women's Super League club Manchester United and the Brazil national team.
Rodrigo Muniz Carvalho is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Fulham.
Giovana Queiroz Costa Garbelini, known as Gio Queiroz or simply Gio, and sometimes Giovana Costa, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Liga F club Atlético Madrid, and the Brazil women's national team.
Bibliography
Kolos, Vladimir; Dorian, Leveque. "Thousand Matches". RSSSF . Retrieved 24 January 2023.
"History Statistics: Club 1000+ Games: Updated Ranking". IFFHS . Retrieved 12 June 2024.