Thousand Matches


See also the file Prolific Goalscorers.
NB: last updated after matches on Dec 31, 2024.

List of Official Appearances Records
Most Official Appearances (Top Level)
Consecutive Seasons Data
Progression of Records
One season (official matches)
One season (all matches)


List of Official Appearances Records

NB: compilation of lists in progress.

- mostly famous players with verified statistics.
- the sources: club books or historical websites, old press.
- the statistics of some players in Brazilian competitions in 1980s-1990s
  need to be confirmed (incl. Fabio, Ceni etc.).
- player statistics for reserve and amateur teams is mostly incomplete.

included: 
- all leagues (incl. regional-, reserve-, amateur-) 
- national, regional and international cups 
- all selections: A, B, Ol, U, league, armee, senior, regional, city, etc. (against the same selections) 
- other official tournaments and games (organized by the football union), e.g. all-star games
  (MLS, South Korea, Japan), FIFA/UEFA sel. and others.
- all cancelled games 
- in the last column: games at the “professional” level (without amateur and reserve tournaments and
  selections U15-U19).

1	Shilton, Peter		England		1949	1965-1997	1504	  	(1407)
2	Fabio			Brazil		1980	1997-		1355+** 	(1342)
3	Ronaldo, Cristiano	Portugal	1985	2001-		1317*		(1299)
4	Clemence, Raymond	England		1948	1963-1988	1283+		(1122)#
5	Matthews, Stanley 	England		1915	1930-1965	1263+		(1151)
6	Jennings, Patrick	North Ireland	1945	1962-1986	1234+		(1131)#
7	Ceni, Rogério		Brazil		1973	1990-2015	1232+		(1228)
8	Hutchison, Thomas	Scotland	1947	1965-1994	1183+		(1095)
9	Buffon, Gianluigi 	Italy		1978	1995-2023	1179		(1170)
10	Messi, Lionel		Argentina	1987	2004-		1168*		(1158)
11	Xavi			Spain		1980	1997-2019	1163		(1139)
12	Endō, Yasuhito		Japan		1980	1997-2023	1156		(1152)
13	Modric, Luca		Croatia		1985	2003-		1155*		(1133)
14	Roberto Carlos		Brazil		1973	1991-2011	1147		(1146)
15	Marcelinho Paraíba	Brazil		1975	1991-2020	1125		(1125)
16	Casillas, Iker 		Spain		1981	1998-2019	1119		(1057)
17	Zanetti, Javier 	Argentina	1973	1992-2014	1114		(1114)
18	Moore, Robert		England		1941	1957-1978	1111		(991)
19	Peters, Martin 		England		1943	1959-1983	1111		(989) 
20	James, Robert		Wales		1957	1973-1998	1102		(1102)
21	Moutinho, João 		Portugal	1986	2004-		1097*		(1072)
22	McGleish, Scott 	Scotland	1974	1993-		1095*		(789)
23	Callaghan, Ian		England		1942	1959-1982	1094		(1005)
24	Lampard, Frank 		England		1978	1994-2016	1091		(1041)
25	Dalglish, Kenneth 	Scotland	1951	1966-1990	1088		(963)
26	Zinho			Brazil		1967	1985-2007	1085		(1085)
27	Bailie, Noel 		North Ireland	1971	1989-2011	1085		(1017)
28	Ferguson, Glenn		North Ireland	1969	1986-2011	1085		(1056)#
29	Ford, Anthony		England		1959	1975-2002	1082		(1082)
30	Dani Alves		Brazil		1983	2001-2023	1081		(1081)
31	Seaman, David 		England		1963	1982-2004	1079		(1042)
32	Meredith, William 	Wales		1874	1891-1924	1079+		(1013)
33	Cureton, James		England		1975	1993-		1077*		(863)
34	Rivaldo			Brazil		1972	1989-2015	1076+		(1076)
35	Ball, James Alan 	England		1945	1962-1984	1071		(1051)
36	Iniesta, Andrés 	Spain		1984	2000-2024	1066		(1021)
37	Raúl González Blanco	Spain		1977	1994-2015	1065		(1055)
38	Giggs, Ryan		Wales		1973	1990-2014	1058		(1035)
39	Lewandowski, Robert	Poland		1988	2004-		1056*		(987)
40	James, David 		England		1970	1989-2014	1054		(1012)
41	Sergio Ramos		Spain		1986	2002-		1053*		(1040)
42	Maldini, Paolo 		Italy		1968	1985-2009	1048		(1045)
43	Neal, Philip		England		1951	1967-1990	1048		(1000)
44	Miura, Kazuyoshi 	Japan		1967	1986-		1047+*		(1047)
45	Charlton, Robert	England		1937	1954-1981	1047		(960)
46	Džeko, Edin 		Bosnia		1986	2003-		1045*		(1040)
47	Lorimer, Peter 		Scotland	1946	1962-1986	1044		(935)
48	Ze Roberto		Brazil		1974	1994-2017	1043		(1043)
49	Zubizarreta, Andoni	Spain		1961	1979-1998	1042		(997)
50	Hayles, Barrington	Jamaica/Enland	1972	1989-2023	1040+		(517)
51	Cush, Wilbur		North Ireland	1928	1945-1970	1039+		(1000)
52	Rakitic, Ivan		Croatia		1988	2003-2024	1039		(1001)
53	Hollins, John 		England		1946	1963-1984	1038		(974) 
54	Leighton, James		Scotland	1958	1977-2000	1036		(938)
55	Rooke, Ronald		England		1911	1929-1961	1030+		(500)
56	Nene			Brazil		1981	2000-		1028*		(1028)
57	Mills, Michael 		England		1949	1965-1988	1028		(952)
58	Reina, Jose "Pepe"	Spain		1982	1999-2025	1026		(1011)
59	Alexander, Graham 	Scotland	1971	1991-2012	1025		(1025)
60	Santa Cruz, Roque	Paraguay	1981	1997-		1025*		(1025)
61	Hartford, Richard Asa	Scotland	1950	1967-1991	1022		(973)
62	Irwin, Denis		Ireland		1965	1982-2004	1021		(967)
63	Suárez, Luis		Uruguay		1987	2005-		1020* 		(1020)
64	Southall, Neville 	Wales		1957	1980-2000	1017		(991)
65	Seedorf, Clarence 	Netherlands	1976	1992-2013	1017		(976)
66	Speed, Gary		Wales		1969	1986-2009	1016		(935)
67	Benzema, Karim		France		1987	2004-		1015*		(965)
68	Milner, James		England		1986	2002-		1014*		(990)
69	Shaw, Charles		Scotland	1885	1900-1926	1011+		(921)
70	Henry, Thierry 		France		1977	1992-2014	1010		(934)
71	Wilkins, Raymond	England		1956	1972-1997	1008		(934)
72	Sheringham, Edward 	England		1966	1983-2008	1007		(980)
73	Matthäus, Lothar 	Germany		1961	1978-2000	1006		(971)
74	Humphries, William	North Ireland	1936	1953-1976	1005		(974)
75	Kelly, James 		North Ireland	1911	1925-1957	1004+		(891)
76	Romario			Brazil		1966	1984-2009	1003		(1001)
77	Paine, Terence 		England		1939	1956-1980	1003		(984)
78	Pearce, Stuart 		England		1962	1978-2002	1002		(821)
79	Ibrahimovic, Zlatan	Sweden		1981	1999-2023	1001		(997)
80	McCall, Stuart 		Scotland	1964	1982-2004	1000		(1000)
81	Redfearn, Neil		England		1965	1982-2008	1000+		(981)
82	Strachan, Gordon	Scotland	1957	1972-1997	1000		(936)
83	Alexandro de Souza/Alex	Brazil		1977	1995-2014	997+		(997)
84	Jardine, William Sandy	Scotland	1948	1966-1988	997+		(989)
85	Schmeichel, Peter 	Denmark		1963	1981-2003	997+		(951)
86	Perryman, Stephen	England		1951	1966-1990	997+		(973)
	Clarke, Peter		England		1982	1999-		995*		(995) 
	Lloris, Hugo		France		1986	2004-		992*		(955)
	Busquets, Sergio	Spain		1988	2007-		990*		(965)	
	Sanchez, Alexis		Chile		1988	2005-		985*		(979)
	Thiago Silva		Brazil		1984	2002-		976*		(976)
	Di Maria, Angel		Argentina	1988	2005-		976*		(976)

NB: 	* indicates player is still active (at last update);
	+ indicates number is a lower bound - player may have played more;
	# corrected or added data after last update (only inactive players). 
        ** without Fabio's statistics for União Bandeirante and Atlético Paranaense (1997-1999).
           These statistics need verification.

Note: there may be other players with 1000 or more matches.


Most Official Appearances (Top Level)

included: 
- top leagues (incl. Brazilian regional leagues, serie A);
- national and international cups;
- national, league and U23 selections.

NB: preliminary list

1	Ronaldo, Cristiano	1284*
2	Fabio			1257+**
3	Shilton, Peter		1233
4	Ceni, Rogério		1228
5	Modric, Luca		1118*
6	Messi, Lionel		1116*
7	Zanetti, Javier 	1081
8	Buffon, Gianluigi 	1078
9	Zinho			1078
10	Clemence, Raymond	1073
11	Roberto Carlos		1066
12	Dani Alves		1060
13	Ferguson, Glenn		1056
14	Moutinho, João 		1053*
15	Jennings, Patrick	1049
16	Casillas, Iker 		1048
17	Ze Roberto		1042
18	Raúl González Blanco	1040
19	Endō, Yasuhito		1036
20	Maldini, Paolo 		1032
21	Giggs, Ryan		1031
22	Xavi			1023
23	Bailie, Noel 		1017
24	Džeko, Edin		1017
25	Suárez, Luis		1016*
26	Lampard, Frank 		1010
27	Ramos, Sergio		1009*
28	Rivaldo			1006
29	Santa Cruz, Roque	1006*

Consecutive Seasons Data

10 consecutive seasons

Neal, Philip		1975-1985	662 (missed only 4 games in this period for FC Liverpool)
Clemence, Raymond	1972-1982	657
Ceni, Rogério		1999-2008	653
Dalglish, Kenneth 	1972-1982	653 (first player with 4 seasons 70+ games)
Hughes, Emlyn		1968-1978	637
Messi, Lionel		2008-2018	631
Griezmann, Antoine	2014-2024	617
Casillas, Iker 		2002-2012	610
Busquets, Sergio 	2009-2019	610
Zubizarreta, Andoni	1985-1995	606
Roberto Carlos		1996-2006	603
Ronaldo, Cristiano	2004-2014	602
Xavi			2003-2013	601
Peters, Martin 		1964-1974	601
Shilton, Peter		1978-1988	599
Zinho			1992-2001	599

10 consecutive seasons (before 1950)

Fulton, Robert		1930-1940	506
Shaw, Charles		1907-1917	503
Gray, Douglas		1927-1937	498
Kelly, James		1931-1941	494
Morton, Alan		1920-1930	471

15 consecutive seasons


Ceni, Rogério		1997-2011	954
Clemence, Raymond	1970-1985	931+ #
Dalglish, Kenneth 	1971-1986	919
Roberto Carlos		1991-2006	908
Messi, Lionel		2008-2023	894
Neal, Philip		1971-1986	893+
Ronaldo, Cristiano	2003-2018	891
Zubizarreta, Andoni	1982-1997	886
Xavi			1999-2014	879

15 consecutive seasons (before 1950)

Fulton, Robert		1927-1942	739 (missed almost 100 games in this period due to injuries
                                             and his job as a school teacher)
Shaw, Charles		1907-1922	736 (missed only 12 games in this period for Queens Park Rangers
                                             and FC Celtic)
Gray, Douglas		1927-1942	732

Progression of Records

NB: preliminary lists

All Official Games

Wood, Harry 		1881–1905		733+*
Meredith, William	1891-1924	1910	1079+
Matthews, Stanley	1930-1965	1958	1263+
Shilton, Peter		1965-1997	1989	1504

+* first player to have played 500 (1899), 600 (1901) and 700 (1904) official games. 

Official Games – Top Level

NB: incl. Top Leagues, National Cups, Regional Cups (for 1st teams), EC, National-,
    U23-, League-, Regional Selects

Wood, Harry 		1881–1905		455+
Methven, James		1891-1906	1904	532	
Bloomer, Stephen	1891-1914	1907	663
Smith, Alec		1894-1915	1911	708
McMenemy, James		1902-1922	1922	732
McNair, Alexander	1904-1925	1923	792
Morton, Alan		1913-1933	1932	809
Fulton, Robert		1921-1947	1942	867
Cush, Wilbur		1945-1970	1968	984 #
Jennings, Patrick	1962-1986	1983	1049
Clemence, Raymond	1964-1988	1986	1070
Shilton, Peter		1965-1997	1988	1233
Ronaldo, Cristiano	2002-		2024	

Official Games – Top Level

NB: incl. Southern League, England before 1914, English Regional Leagues (1915-1919),
    North Irish and Scottish Regional Leagues during WWII)

Wood, Harry		1881-1905		620+
Bloomer Stephen		1891-1914	1911	663
Smith, Alec		1894-1915	1911	708
Meredith, William	1891-1924	1918	821
Shaw, Charlie		1900-1926	1923	908
Gray, Douglas		1925-1946	1944	930
Cush, Wilbur		1945-1970	1968	984 #
Jennings, Patrick	1962-1986	1983	1049
Clemence, Raymond	1964-1988	1986	1070
Shilton, Peter		1965-1997	1988	1233
Ronaldo, Cristiano	2002-		2024	

One season (official matches)

Oscar			2012-13		89* (Internacional 2, Chelsea 64, Brazil 16, Brazil Ol. 7)
Dida			1996		84  (Cruzeiro 59, Brazil 6, Brazil Ol. 19)
Helton			2000		82  (Vasco da Gama 76, Brazil Ol. 6)
Ronaldinho		1999		82  (Gremio 47, Brazil 13, Brazil Ol. 4, Brazil U20 18)
Ceni, Rogerio		2005		78  (FC Sao Paulo 77, Brazil 1)
Mata, Juan		2012-13		78  (Chelsea 64, Spain 10, Spain Ol. 4)
* incl. 2 games in Serie A (Brazil) in July 2012

One season (all matches)

Pele			1959		107 (FC Santos 82, Brazil 9, Sao Paulo Sel. 2, Arm< teams 14)

See also the file Prolific Goalscorers.

About this document

Thanks to Dorian Leveque (England).

Author welcomes any additional data on possibly missing matches

Prepared and maintained by Vladimir Kolos for the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation

Author: Vladimir Kolos (vkoloss@mail.ru)
Last updated: 29 Jul 2025

(C) Copyright Vladimir Kolos and RSSSF 2009/25
You are free to copy this document in whole or part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the author. All rights reserved.