5 footballers who could break the record for most number of international appearances

Playing for your national team is something every footballer dreams of. Over the years, many of the world's finest footballers have represented their respective national teams and have played a bucket-load of matches for them.

So far, there are a total of 445 players who have played more than 100 matches for their country.

Currently, the record for the most number of international appearances is held by former Egyptian midfielder Ahmed Hassan who has played 184 matches for his country from 1995-2012.

Currently, there are players who can play long enough to break Hassan's record. Let's take a look at five footballers who could break the record for the most number of international appearances in the near future.

#5 Maynor Figueroa

Honduras skipper Maynor Figueroa is also their all-time leader in appearances for the national team, having played 146 matches since 2003. Figueroa is currently plying his trade in the United States at MLS club FC Dallas.

Currently 35, the defender needs to play another 39 matches to better Ahmed Hassan's record.

Hassan needs to play another three to four years of international football and needs to make at least 10-12 appearances each year if he has to become the all-time leader in international appearances.

Having played an average of 15-17 matches per year since 2010, the former Wigan Athletic man might just be able to play international football for another three to four years and provided he maintains full fitness, he might break Hassan's record.

#4 Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time leader in international appearances as well as in goalscoring

Arguably the best player in the world right now, Cristiano Ronaldo has been in brilliant form for both club and country.

The Portuguese skipper is currently the national team's most capped footballer with 149 matches as well as their leading goalscorer with 81 goals.

Ronaldo currently has a good chance of breaking Ahmed Hassan's record of 184 international appearances. He needs to play at least 36 matches.

Aged 33, if Ronaldo's fitness is maintained consistently, then he has a very good chance of staying at Portugal till the 2022 World Cup at Qatar.

Provided he plays till that period, he can not only become the all-time leader in international appearances but can also break Ali Daei's record for the most number of international goals scored (Ronaldo is 29 goals behind the all-time record).

#3 Ahmed Mubarak Kano

The Omanian skipper has a good 3-4 years of international football left in him

Oman's captain Ahmed Mubarak Kano is currently plying his trade at Qatar in Mesaimeer. He has been a crucial player in the national team since 2003 and has played 154 matches for Oman so far, scoring 20 goals.

Aged 33, Ahmed has been a regular for both club and country in the past 15-20 months and he has a good three to four years of international football left in him.

Provided he maintains his form and fitness, Ahmed can easily better Ahmed Hassan's record of 184 international appearances

#2 Sergio Ramos

Ramos has what it takes play long enough to become the most capped player in his country and in the world

One of the best defenders in the world at the moment, Sergio Ramos has been doing brilliantly for both club and country in the past couple of years.

Ramos is currently second in the most number of appearances for Spain with 151 appearances, scoring 13 goals.

He is 16 matches behind Iker Casillas but has much better chances of breaking Ahmed Hassan's record.

Casillas may need to play just 18 matches to become the most capped player in international football but it is highly unlikely that he will play many more matches for Spain due to the consistency of David de Gea.

However, Ramos has a very good chance of surpassing Ahmed Hassan. The 32-year old has a good four to five years of international football left in him.

There is no doubt that he will be Spain's most capped player before Euro 2020 is around the corner.

Provided Ramos maintains his fitness, then he can become the most capped player in the world as well.

#1 Bader Al-Mutawa

Al-Mutawa has the best chance of bettering Ahmed Hassan's record

With Gigi Buffon retiring from international football with 176 caps and Iker Casillas unlikely to play any more matches for Spain, Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa has the best chance of becoming the most capped player in international football than any other internationally active player.

The 33-year old forward is currently Kuwait's highest capped player with 161 matches, scoring 55 goals.

Al-Mutawa is currently 24 matches away from becoming the all-time leader in international appearances.

Provided Al-Mutawa is fit enough for another three to four years, he could very well better Ahmed Hassan's record.