10 players with the most appearances in the history of the Euro Cup: Ronaldo deserves the title of 'king'

Until now, the European football championship Euro has existed for almost 7 decades and has witnessed the participation of thousands of players. As the tournament only takes place every 4 years, it is not easy for a name to have more than 10 matches here. Let’s get to know the 10 players who currently hold the record for participation in the Euro Cup.

10. Andrés Iniesta (Spain)

Number of matches: 16

Iniesta is one of the best players in the history of the Euro Cup. Although he has only attended this field three times, the Spanish midfielder has won two championships in 2008 and 2012.

Of particular note is Euro 2012, when Iniesta was named man of the match on three occasions, including the 4-0 final victory against Italy. In the end, Iniesta also took home the title of best player of the tournament. Now, at 40 years old, Iniesta continues to play hard. However, he was not named in the Spanish team that will participate in this year’s tournament.

9. Rui Patricio (Portugal)

Number of matches: 16

Patricio has fought for Portugal in four different European Championships. At Euro 2016 in France, Patricio had a brilliant performance, contributing significantly to the local team’s historic victory in the championship.

This year, Patricio continued to be called up to participate in the Euro Cup team. However, the 36-year-old point guard is no longer Portugal’s number one point guard. This position belongs to Diogo Costa.

8. Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands)

Number of matches: 16

The legendary goalkeeper van der Sar participated four times in the Euro Cup with the Dutch national team. However, their best achievement was reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2000 and Euro 2004.

In particular, he kept a clean sheet in the opening four matches of Euro 2020. In the semi-finals of that year, the Dutch team was eliminated after a penalty shoot-out. Van der Sar blocked an 11-meter shot but couldn’t help the home team advance because his teammates missed 3/4 of their 11-meter shots.

7. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

Number of matches: 17

Buffon has participated in the Euro Cup 4 times and his best achievement was finishing runner-up with the Italian team in 2012. It is quite unfortunate that when the Italian team won the Euro 2020, Buffon did not participate at that time.

Throughout his career, Buffon has appeared 17 times on this pitch. The figure could probably have been higher if the former goalkeeper had not broken his arm just before Euro 2000. The number 1 spot in the Italian national team passed to Francesco Toldo, who also did very well afterwards.

6. Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)

Number of matches: 17

Chiellini participated in 4 Euros and was a pillar in the Italian team’s journey to win Euro 2020. He is not appreciated for his speed, but Chiellini possesses cunning and experienced bravery. The situation of intentionally ripping off Buyako Saka’s shirt in that year’s final against England proved it.

Chiellini retired from the national team in April 2022 after 117 games. A year later, this player also announced his retirement.

5. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)

Number of matches: 18

Schweinsteiger was with the German team that won the 2014 World Cup, however, the former player born in 1984 has had no chance of winning the European Championship despite having participated 4 times and played a total of 18 times.

Schweinsteiger’s best achievement was reaching the final of Euro 2008. However, that year, the German team had to lose 0:1 to Spain.

4. Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)

Number of matches: 18

Just above Chiellini is his teammate Bonucci with one more game. Bonucci was the name that scored the tie in the Euro 2020 final before winning with his teammates after the penalty shootout.

However, Bonucci does not have the opportunity to improve his performance at Euro 2024 because he announced his retirement last May.

3. Pepe (Portugal)

Number of matches: 19

At the age of 41, Pepe remains a pillar of the Portuguese national team and will almost certainly play at Euro 2024. First called up to the national team in 2007, Pepe has so far participated in 4 European Championships and 4 World Cups.

With 19 appearances in the Euro Cup, Pepe has more appearances than the biggest names in football. Pepe has the opportunity to become the second player in history to have 20 or more games in the tournament.

2. Joao Moutinho (Portugal)

Number of matches: 19

Moutinho may be a name that may surprise many people. However, the player born in 1987 has been a mainstay in the Portuguese national team for more than a decade, having participated in 4 European Championships and 2 World Cups. In particular, the 2016 European Championship remains the most notable title in this player’s career.

Currently, Moutinho is still playing in Portugal. This year, Moutinho was not called up to participate in Euro 2024.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Number of matches: 25

In terms of the number of matches in the Euro Cup, Ronaldo seems superior with the number 25. More notable is that Ronaldo still has the opportunity to improve his performance in the upcoming tournament in Germany.

If he participates in Euro 2024, Ronaldo will also become the first player in history to attend 6 different finals. With the most appearances and goals, many fans consider Ronaldo the king of the Euros.