Who Are The Top 10 Most Capped Men’s International Footballers?

Since the inception of football games, only a couple of hundred football players have made it to 100 caps in International football. But who are the Most Capped Men’s International Footballers?

Curious to know? Well here is the list of top 10 football players with the most international appearances. 

For every player representing their country at the international level is one of the biggest honors to achieve at least once in a career. Especially in football where club-level football has been growing, being consistent in the national team is not an easy task. 

However, few footballers have fulfilled their duties for the country with dedication. Among these players, Cristiano Ronaldo’s name has been shining on the top of the most capped player in Football history ever.

Top 10 Most Capped International Footballers | Men’s

Here is the list of the 10 most capped men’s international footballers ever-

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10. Sergio Ramos

With 180 caps, Spanish center-back Sergio Ramos is on the list of the most international caps in football history. Sergio Ramos is the most renowned defender of all time who played at the Real Madrid Club and for the Spain national team. Debuted in 2005 Sergio’s contribution to Spain’s National team is two UEFA European Championships and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Ramos appeared in 180 international matches and scored 23 goals for his country before announcing his retirement from International football in 2023.    

9. Andrés Guardado

Andres Guardado is a Mexican former football player who has 180 International caps for his country. José Andrés Guardado Hernández is the full name of the Mexican midfielder who is popular with Principito among his fans. In 2005, Guardado started his International career with Mexico and represented the country in five World Cups and four Gold Cups. With a total of 180 International appearances and 28 goals, Andres Guardado joined the elite club of the most capped footballers’ all-time list.      

8. Ahmed Mubarak

Oman’s professional footballer Ahmed Mubarak or Ahmed Kano is one of the best midfielders who comes from the Gulf country. Ahmed Kano was also part of the very first squad of the Oman national team in 2003. Since then Kano has appeared in 183 matches and scored 23 goals. Oman’s star footballer Kano represented the country in the FIFA World Cup qualifier, AFC Asian Cup, and Arabian Gulf Cup. In 2021, he registered a record for the second most appearances all-time for the national team by FIFA.

Speaking of Football Club, he has played for more than a dozen clubs including Al-Sailiya Sport Club of Qatar and Al Naser Sporting Club of Kuwait. And after a 20-year scintillating career, Ahmed Mubarak bid farewell from the International football in 2023.     

7. Hassan Al-Haydos

Topnotch forward Hassan Al-Haydos is the 7th most capped men’s International football player from Qatar with 182 appearances while scoring 41 goals. Debuted in 2008, forward Al-Haydos holds the record for the most-capped player for Qatar as well. Al-Haydos made his FIFA World Cup debut in 2022.  Under his leadership, the Qatar national team won two Asian Cups in 2019 and 2023. 

He announced his retirement from International football earlier this year in March 2024. However, Hassan Al-Haydos plays for the Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd as a captain. 

6. Luka Modrić*

Croatian star footballer Luka Modrić is the most renowned midfielder of all time who is continuing to play for his country. Since his 2006 debut, Luka Modrić has been capped in 184 matches, scoring 27 times. Luka is currently ranked at no. 6 on our top 10 most capped men’s International footballers list. In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Luka Modrić won the Golden Ball while leading Croatia to the Final and clinched a Bronze Ball in the 2022 FIFA World Cup finishing third position in the tournament. 

39, Luka Modrić still represents Croatia on the International level and also plays for Club Real Madrid since 2012. He is the oldest player in Real Madrid history with 372 appearances and 28 goals. Looks like Luka will continue to climb higher on the ladder of the most capped International football players.

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5. Ahmed Hassan

Egyptian attacking midfielder Ahmed Hassan is the 5th most capped male international footballer of all-time. Ahmed Hassan started his International career in 1995 with Egypt national team and made 184 appearances. During his time with the team, Hassan scored 33 goals making him one of the most prominent players who earned Best Player of the African Cup of Nations in 2006.

Apart from his International career, Hassan played for many football clubs like Aswan, Beşiktaş, and Al Ahly including foreign club Anderlecht. In 2006, Hassan signed a contract with Anderlecht and returned to his home country in 2008. He made his last International appearance in 2012 and retired from the International football in 2013.       

4. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time holds the fourth position in most international caps in football history. Lionel Messi has made  191 International appearances with Argentina’s senior team. One of the top goal-scorers Messi hit 112 goals and achieved a feat of the most international goals by a South American male. Starting his International career in 2005, Messi has scored over 850 goals for Argentina and Clubs.

Speaking of football club career, Lionel played for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and currently representing Inter Miami. Joining in 2023, Lionel Mesi has appeared in 25 games while securing  21 goals to his name so far. 

3. Soh Chin Ann

Malaysia’s veteran footballer Soh Chin Ann is the 3rd most-capped footballer ever with 195 appearances approved by FIFA out of his 219 International caps. However, the honor has long due for more than four decades and was only recognized by the Football International Federation in 2021. Well!  better than late than never.

74-year-old, Soh Chin Ann has been Malaysian and  South East Asian football icon who started his International career in 1969. During which he recorded, 222 football games but only 195 caps validated as the International games by FIFA.     

2. Bader Al-Mutawa

Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa is the second most-capped male international football player with 196 appearances and 56 goals. It was not long ago when Bader Al-Mutawa held the record for the most International appearances until  2023. 

Al-Mutawa played his first International game for the Kuwait national team in 2003. He is the top Kuwaiti footballer and contributed to the Arabian Gulf Cup and WAFF Championship 2010. Bader retired from International Football in 2022 but still plays for the club. Currently, Bader Al-Mutawa plays for the Qadisa in the Kuwaiti Premier League.   

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo is the most capped men’s International player in the football ever. With 217 appearances, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 135 goals for the Portugal national team. In March 2023, Cristiano broke the previous record holder Bader Al-Mutawa (196) and topped the chart for most International appearances. Later in June 2023, Ronaldo became the first ever football player to reach 200 caps while representing Portugal against Iceland. 

Since his 2003 International debut, Ronaldo has scored 135 goals in 217 matches and became Europe’s most-capped men’s international player while representing the country. And scored more than 900 goals while playing for clubs including Sporting CP, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus. Currently, Ronaldo represents the Al Nassr as a captain while leading the Portuguese team as well. 

So these are the top 10 most capped Men’s international players in football history ever. Although, the list has been progressing where Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are still running in the race of who is the GOAT of football.

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