'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez equalled Raul Gonzalez’s UEFA Champions League (excluding qualifying matches) appearances record during last night’s clash against APOEL Nicosia.
The three-time Champions League winner went ahead of former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs(141) to go joint top with Raúl (142). Both players announced their retirement earlier this summer.
The 37-year-old, also a 3 time Champions League winner also holds the record for the most no. of goals in the competition with Ronaldo and Messi in close pursuit.
Xavi can overtake the Real Madrid legend if he makes an appearance against Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 2.
| Name | Appearances |
| Raúl González | 142 |
| Xavi Hernández | 142 |
| Ryan Giggs | 141 |
| Iker Casillas | 141 |
| Clarence Seedorf | 125 |
He can also overtake Giggs’ record for all-time Champions League appearances (including qualifying) of 151 matches him being only 3 behind the former Welsh winger.
| Name | Appearances |
| Ryan Giggs | 151 |
| Xavi Hernández | 148 |
| Raúl González | 144 |
| Iker Casillas | 143 |
| Paolo Maldini* | 140 |
*Includes European Champion Clubs' Cup appearances
