Top 10 Players with the Most International Appearances in Men’s Football History :
In football, being called up to play for one’s country is a great honor, and many players have made over 100 international appearances. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal is currently the player with the most international appearances, having surpassed Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa in March 2023, with 197 appearances to his name.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 players with the most international appearances in men’s football history.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 197 appearances
Ronaldo, considered one of the best players of all time, has broken several records in his illustrious career, including having the most international appearances.
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He holds the record for the most international appearances in history, having surpassed Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa in March 2023. Ronaldo’s journey started in 2003 when he made his debut for Portugal at the age of 18. Since then, he has gone on to score 118 goals for his country and has won numerous awards, including the European Championship in 2016.
2. Bader Al-Mutawa (Kuwait) – 196 appearances
Al-Mutawa previously held the record for the most international appearances before being surpassed by Ronaldo. He played for Kuwait’s national team from 2003 to 2022.
Before Ronaldo, the record for the most international appearances was held by Bader Al-Mutawa, who played for Kuwait. Al-Mutawa made his debut in 2003 and went on to represent his country in 196 matches. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to have emerged from Kuwait.
3. Soh Chin Ann (Malaysia) – 195 appearances
Soh played for the Malaysian national team between 1969 and 1984. However, only 195 of his 222 appearances were officially recognized by FIFA due to non-A matches such as those within the Olympic Games.
Soh Chin Ann is the most capped Malaysian footballer of all time, having made 195 appearances for his country. However, only 177 of those appearances are recognized as official by FIFA due to the nature of the matches played. He played for Malaysia from 1969 to 1984 and was a key member of the national team.
4. Ahmed Hassan (Egypt) – 184 appearances
Hassan played for Egypt’s national team from 1995 to 2012 and captained them to three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations titles between 2006 and 2010.
Ahmed Hassan is the most capped African footballer of all time, having played 184 matches for Egypt. He made his debut in 1995 and was a crucial part of the team that won three consecutive African Cup of Nations titles from 2006 to 2010. Hassan also played in four World Cup tournaments, including the historic 2010 campaign where Egypt qualified for the tournament for the first time in 20 years.
5. Ahmed Mubarak (Oman) – 183 appearances
Mubarak played for Oman’s national team from 2003 to 2019 and was known for his midfield skills.
Ahmed Mubarak is the most capped Omani footballer of all time, having played 183 matches for his country. He made his debut in 2003 and was a key player in the national team for over a decade. Mubarak helped Oman qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup, where they reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history.
6. Sergio Ramos (Spain) – 180 appearances
Ramos, a former Real Madrid captain, played for Spain’s national team from 2005 to 2021 and was known for his defensive skills.
Sergio Ramos is one of the greatest defenders of all time and has made 180 appearances for Spain. He made his debut in 2005 and played a crucial role in Spain’s historic run of three consecutive major tournament victories – the 2008 and 2012 European Championships, as well as the 2010 World Cup. Ramos is also known for his scoring ability, having netted 23 goals for Spain.
7. Andres Guardado (Mexico) – 179 appearances
Guardado is Mexico’s most-capped player and has played for the national team since 2005. He has also played for several European clubs, including Valencia and PSV.
Andres Guardado is one of the most successful Mexican footballers of all time, having made 179 appearances for his country. He made his debut in 2005 and has since won four Gold Cups with Mexico. Guardado played a crucial role in Mexico’s historic run to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
8. Mohamed Al-Deayea (Saudi Arabia) – 178 appearances
Al-Deayea was a goalkeeper for Saudi Arabia’s national team from 1993 to 2006 and is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Asian football history.
Mohamed Al-Deayea is the most capped Asian footballer of all time, having played 178 matches for Saudi Arabia. He made his debut in 1990 and was part of the team that qualified for four consecutive World Cup tournaments from 1994 to 2006. Al-Deayea is also known for his impressive goalkeeping skills and was named the best goalkeeper in the 1996 Asian Cup.
9. Claudio Suarez (Mexico) – 177 appearances
Suarez played for Mexico’s national team from 1992 to 2006 and captained them during the 2006 World Cup. He was known for his defensive skills and his leadership on the pitch.
Suarez’s consistency and reliability as a defender were evident early on in his career, and he quickly established himself as a key player for the Mexican national team.
10. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) – 176 appearances
Buffon is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time and played for Italy’s national team from 1997 to 2018. He helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup and is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation.
Top 10 Players with the Most International Appearances in Men’s Football History: These players have made history with their dedication to representing their countries at the highest level. They have entertained and inspired millions of fans around the world and their records may stand for many years to come. Aspiring footballers can look up to them as role models and learn from their achievements.
