10 Players With Most International Appearances in Football History [Ranked]

There is certainly no bigger honour for a footballer than to be given the opportunity to represent his country. And while being selected for the national team is already a great achievement, being able to establish yourself over the long term is reserved for an elite few.

What’s more, with the growing number of club matches and international breaks, coaches have more options when it comes to shaping their team. A key factor that gives an even better appreciation of the level, consistency and longevity of the players in the ranking of the most capped players in the history of international football.

10 Sergio Ramos — 180 caps

Spain — 2005-2021

Is Sergio Ramos the greatest Spanish player in football history? Perhaps not. Is he the greatest Iberian defender of all time? He certainly is. In fact, it would be no exaggeration to say that he is one of the finest defenders ever to set foot on the pitch.

A player whose talent is matched only by his leadership. All qualities that enabled him to wear the colours of La Roja for 16 years, taking part in no fewer than 10 international competitions during that period and winning a World Cup and two European Championships. A legend, no less. Whether you like him or not.

9 Andres Guardado — 180 caps

Mexico — 2005-2024

In a country where football is king, Andres Guardado has established himself as its Principito – Little Prince. Because in Mexico, the midfielder has become a veritable icon. The embodiment of the spirit of El Tri, which he has represented with honour and dedication for almost twenty years, taking them to no fewer than five World Cup finals and guiding them to three Gold Cups titles.

A player who, thanks to his many achievements and unfailing professionalism, has inspired a whole young generation of Mexican players, all dreaming of embarking on a career as exemplary as that of their captain.

8 Ahmed Mubarak — 183 caps

Oman — 2003-2019

You may not know him, but Ahmed Mubarak is nonetheless a key figure in Arab football. And his 183 caps for Oman, of which he is one of the greatest legends, bear witness to that. In the course of a 15-year adventure, the defensive midfielder helped Al-Ahmar — The Reds — secure two Arabian Gold Cups, while never having had the opportunity to play in the Asian Cup or the World Cup.

Two relative ‘failures’ – the Omani national team’s best FIFA ranking is a lowly 50th place — all but overshadowed by Mubarak’s impact on his country’s footballing landscape.

7 Hassan Al-Haydos — 183 caps

Qatar — 2008-2024

There are many reasons why Hassan Al-Haydos’ name will forever be etched in the history of Qatari football. The fact that he was the first to represent his team as captain at the World Cup is one of them. The fact that he also guided his team to the first titles in their history is another.

A true legend, in short, regularly hailed for his dedication, leadership qualities and footballing talents. All of which makes it easier to appreciate the void left by the former No10 when he announces his retirement in 2024. Yet another reminder, if one were needed, that no one lives forever.

6 Ahmed Hassan — 184 caps

Egypt — 1995-2012

For all he has achieved with Egypt, Ahmed Hassan certainly deserves his place among the greatest international footballers of all time. A player for whom the African Cup of Nations has become, year after year, something of a competition.

So much so, in fact, that he now holds — or rather co-holds, with his former team-mate Essam El Hadary — the record for the number of times he has taken part (8), but also — and above all — for the number of titles he has won (4). So it comes as no real surprise that the former Pharaohs captain is now cited as one of the great legends of the game in the land of Saladin’s eagle.

5 Luka Modric — 184 caps

Croatia — 2006-Present

Here is a player for whom no introduction seems really necessary – which says a lot about the mark he has left on the world of football. The undisputed leader and captain of the Croatian national team, Luka Modric has helped write some of the finest lines in its history.

The fact that he has played in consecutive World Cup finals and semi-finals are two of the most striking examples. And that’s without mentioning the six other major competitions in which he took part with the Vatreni. A player whose place in the pantheon of Croatian football could not be more assured.

4 Lionel Messi — 191 caps

Argentina — 2005-Present

Lionel Messi certainly knows better than anyone that his status as the greatest Argentinian player of all time will always be debated. Yet to say that his international career has been exceptional is an understatement. And if the story of the tortoise and the hare hadn’t already existed, someone other than Jean de la Fontaine could have turned La Pulga‘s adventures into a bestseller.

Because, it has to be said, it has all the makings of a fairy tale. At the same time, it is a good reminder that the important thing is not always the end, but the path taken to get there. And while the path taken by the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner may not have been an easy one, it was certainly worth the effort.

3 Soh Chin Ann — 195 caps

Malaysia — 1969-1984

If he had listened to his father, Soh Chin Ann would certainly never have had the career he did. To be honest, he might not even have been able to boast of any career at all. But his stubbornness overcame his father’s initial reluctance and led him to become one of South East Asia’s greatest footballing legends.

A status that his 195 official caps (he has 27 not recognised by FIFA) and his international performances have obviously helped to legitimise. After all, it was not without reason that he was given the nickname Tauke — Boss — by his team-mates and fans.

2 Bader Al-Mutawa — 196 caps

Kuwait — 2003-2022

Bader Al-Mutawa was just 18 when he won his first cap for Kuwait; he was 37 when he played his last. A career of exemplary longevity for the man who started out as a goalkeeper before going on to shine on the attacking front.

So much so, in fact, that Bashar Adbullah, regarded as the greatest Kuwaiti player of all time, described him as the only good thing that Kuwaiti football and the national team have achieved in recent years. It is a fine accolade for the winner of the Gulf Cup and the West Asian Football Federation Championship in 2010.

1 Cristiano Ronaldo — 217 caps

Portugal — 2003-Present

This is another record that Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to keep for many years to come. With 217 caps to his name, the Portuguese, who is already the all-time top goalscorer, is quite simply the player with the most appearances for his country. And the fact that he doesn’t seem ready to hang up his boots just yet will allow him to raise the bar even higher.

The question now is how much further the 2016 European champion intends to go. But given that his dream is to have the opportunity to play professionally alongside his eldest son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, we can imagine that retirement is not yet on the agenda.