Cristiano Ronaldo, the famous football player, has achieved a remarkable feat by playing the most games in the 21st century. This achievement is not just about Ronaldo; it also involves Lionel Messi, who narrowly missed securing the top position in this prestigious record.
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) recently shared a list of players with the most appearances in the 21st century.
Ronaldo claimed the top spot with an impressive 1204 official appearances, showcasing his dedication throughout his career, playing for clubs like Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr, and the Portugal National Team.
At 38 years old, Ronaldo’s commitment is evident, maintaining an astonishing average of 52 matches per year for an incredible 22 consecutive years.
In comparison, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s longtime rival, is in the fourth position on the list, with 1,047 matches playing for clubs like Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami, and the Argentine National Team.
The top three positions feature Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio (1,156 matches) and former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves (1,056 games). It’s noteworthy that only four players have surpassed the 1000-game mark, and 21 players have played over 900 games, including 17 who are currently active players.
