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Over the course of years, many teams and players have amazed us with their performances in the most sought-after league. The UEFA Champions League delivers just as much as its reputation.
Ever since it was founded in 1955 as the European Cup, the UEFA Champions League (renamed in 1992), has housed the best of teams from all around the continent. Europe being football's powerhouse means the Champions League, by default, has become the most intense league at club level.
Every season brings us a handful of favorites, underdogs, goal riots, upsets and individual uprisings. Throughout the Champions League's history, numerous records have been re-written by teams and players. Today let's discuss one such record.
Without further ado, let's take a look at:
Top 5 players with the most UEFA Champions League appearances.
#5 Raúl González — 142
The Real Madrid legend held every title and record to his name with Los Blancos before Cristiano Ronaldo walked-in. However, till date, the Spaniard remains one of the most-decorated players within the ranks of mighty Real Madrid.
Ascending from the youth levels, Raúl González cemented his place with the senior side at the tender age of 16. He evolved not just to be a fine player but a fierce leader as well. Raúl González has featured in 130 games for Real Madrid and 12 for Bundesliga team Schalke, taking his tally to 142.
He experienced a very successful stint with the Galacticos and won three UEFA Champions League titles with them. With 66 goals, Raúl González is still the second most goal-getter for Real Madrid in the Champions League.
#4 Lionel Messi — 150*
Words would do no justice to this little magician's contribution towards Barcelona and football itself. Since his debut against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2004 and his last game versus Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, Leo Messi has played 149 games in the Blaugrana jersey.
He broke records for fun during his stint with the Catalan giants. Lionel Messi has won four UEFA Champions League titles and scored 120 goals for Barcelona. The Argentine joined the same side against whom he played and scored his last in a Barcelona jersey — PSG.
The former Barca captain marked his debut for his new club just last week against Club Brugge. The tally of 150 means Lionel Messi is the player with 4th most appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
With a lot of youth and energy left in him, we can expect Leo to climb up the ranks.
#3 Xavi Hernández — 151
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández is the only player on the list to have played all of his games for a single club. Xavi, who is lauded as one of the best ever Barcelona players, has had an illustrious tenure with the Catalans.
With 151 UEFA Champions League appearances under his belt, the Spaniard has won four UCL trophies. In the 2008-09 season, Xavi bagged the UEFA Champions League top assist provider and the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year awards.
He was also a member of the UEFA Team of the Year for five years in a row between 2008 and 2012. Xavi Hernández was arguably the most crucial cog in Barcelona's midfield unit that is considered the best of all time.
#2 Iker Casillas — 177
Iker Casillas, dubbed Saint Iker by his admirers, was the player with the most UEFA Champions League appearances until just last week.
The Spaniard was one of the most influential figures within Real Madrid and the Spanish national team's dressing room. He was equally respected by teammates and rivals. Despite having an average stature (for a goalkeeper), Iker has set the standards far too high for any other player to match.
In 1999 at the age of 18 years and 177 days, Iker Casillas became the youngest goalkeeper ever to feature in the Champions League at the time. The record was unbroken until 2017 by Mile Svilar. He played 150 UCL matches for Los Blancos over the course of 16 years.
The former Spain captain then joined Porto, where he remained for five seasons. He featured 27 times for the Portuguese team. Casillas holds the record for most clean sheets in the UEFA Champions League.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo — 177*
Who's the most successful UEFA Champions League player? Without a second thought we can answer this question. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro!
The Portuguese goal-machine has dominated the league ever since he started playing in it. His consistency has even urged fans to playfully rename UCL as the UEFA Cristiano Ronaldo League.
Ronaldo, who made a return to his former club Manchester United, has equalled Iker Casillas' record for most UCL appearances just last week against Young Boys. At the age of 36, Cristiano has 177 Champions League matches (Manchester United 53, Real Madrid 101, Juventus 23) under his belt and is still counting.
He holds numerous records in the Champions League and seems unstoppable even at this age.
