Top 10 Most Capped Footballer of All Time – Ranked

Since the inception of football games, only a couple of hundred football players have made it to 100 caps in International football. Every player representing their country at the international level is one of the biggest honours 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 at the top of the most capped footballer in history. But who are the Most Capped Men’s International Footballers? Curious to know? Well, here is the list of the top 10 players with the most international appearances in football.

List of Most Capped International Footballers

Now, let’s take a look at the list of the most capped footballer at the international stage. These players didn’t just wear the jersey of their nation; they were carrying the hope of the people.

Who is the Most Capped International Football Player?

Playing on the international stage for such a long period of time showcases their class. With consistent performance, they’ve represented for a decade or more. Let’s dive into the list of the most international appearances in football.

10. Hassan Al-Haydos (Qatar)

Top-notch forward Hassan Al-Haydos is the 10th most capped men’s International football player from Qatar with 167 appearances while scoring 35 goals. Debuted in 2008, 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.

9. Sergio Ramos (Spain)

With 180 caps, Spanish centre-back Sergio Ramos is on the list of the most international caps in football history. Sergio Ramos is one of the most renowned defenders of all time who played at the Real Madrid club and for the Spain national team.

He debuted in 2005, and his contribution to Spain’s National team is two UEFA European Championships and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Spanish defender has appeared in 180 international matches and scored 23 goals for his country before announcing his retirement from International football in 2023.

8. Andrés Guardado (Mexico)

Andres Guardado is a Mexican former football player who has 182 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 182 International appearances and 28 goals, Andres Guardado joined the elite club of the most capped footballers’ all-time list.

7. Ahmed Mubarak (Oman)

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 186 matches and scored 21 goals. Oman’s star footballer Kano represented the country in the FIFA World Cup qualifier, the AFC Asian Cup, and the 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 to International football in 2023.

6. Ahmed Hassan (Egypt)

Egyptian attacking midfielder Ahmed Hassan is the 6th most capped male international footballer of all time. Ahmed Hassan started his International career in 1995 with the Egyptian 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 the 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 the 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 International football in 2013.

5. Luka Modric (Croatia)

Croatian star footballer Luka Modrić is the most renowned midfielder of all time, and he continues 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. 5 on our top 10 most capped men’s International footballers list.

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.

4. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

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 193 International appearances with Argentina’s senior team. One of the top goal-scorers, Messi scored 112 goals and achieved the record for the most international goals by a South American male.

Starting his International career in 2005, Lionel Messi has scored over 850 goals combined for country and clubs. Speaking of football club career, he played for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and currently represents Inter Miami.

3. Soh Chin Ann (Malaysia)

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 honour is long overdue for more than four decades and was only recognized by the International Football Federation in 2021. Well, better late than never.

The 74-year-old Soh Chin Ann has been a 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 International games by FIFA.

2. Bader Al-Mutawa (Kuwait)

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 that 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 Qadisa in the Kuwaiti Premier League.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo is the most capped men’s International player in football ever. With 221 appearances, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 138 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 138 goals in 221 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. The Portuguese legend also holds the record for the most goals scored in international football.