As Cristiano Ronaldo overtook Kuwaiti’s Baer Al-Mutawa to become the player with the most international appearances, we’ve compiled the list of players with the most caps in the world.
Note: The list was according to FIFA-recognized appearances published by Sportstar.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – (197)
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Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo is the most capped international player following his appearance for Portugal in the European Championship qualifiers against Liechtenstein.
The Seleção won the game 4-0 as Ronaldo scored twice, including a free-kick goal to make the list of players with the most free-kick goals in world football.
Ronaldo has won the European Championship and the Nations League with Portugal. He has also made five World Cup appearances.
2. Baer Al-Mutawa (196)
Baer Al-Mutawa is a Kuwaiti footballer. He represented the country’s national team and led the all-time chart before Ronaldo broke the record.
Baer Al-Mutawa has won Arabian Gulf Cup and the 2010 WAFF Championship with the Kuwait Men’s National team. In 2010, he received the IFFHS World’s Best International Goal Scorer award.
3. Soh Chin Ann (195)
Soh Chin Ann played for the Malaysian national team. The numbers are staggering for the Malaysian, often referred to as The Boss by his teammates.
According to IFFHS, he has 219 caps. However, FIFA recognized 195 appearances, which makes him the third most-capped international player. He held the record as the player with the most international appearances before being overtaken by Baer Al-Mutawa.
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Soh Chin Ann was a centre-back for the Malaysian men’s football team from 1969 to 1984. He helped the team to lift three Thailand King’s Cups, two SEA Games, etc.
4. Ahmed Hassan (184)
Ahmed Hassan represented the Egyptian men’s football team and is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of African football. He played as an attacking midfielder or sometimes a winger.
Ahmed Hassan notched up 184 appearances with Egypt at the international level. He won four African Cup of Nations, making the country the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
Due to his performance at the international level, he won the Africa Cup of Nations Best Player twice in 2006 and 2010. He was also named in the Africa Cup of Nations Dream Team in the above years.
5. Ahmed Mubarak (183)
Ahmed Mubarak, or Ahmed Kano, is an Omani international who is the country’s most capped player and one of the most appearances at 183.
Ahmed Mubarak played as a defensive midfielder and has been outstanding whenever he is in the national colours. He represented the country at the Arabian Gulf Cup and AFC Asian Cup.
6. Sergio Ramos (180)
Sergio Ramos is arguably one of the best defenders and greatest in his position. He made 180 appearances for the Spanish men’s national football team. In 2013, he became the youngest player to reach 100 caps for Spain.
Ramos is also one of the most decorated footballers on the international scene. He won two UEFA European Championships with Spain in 2008 and 2012.
Notably, Sergio Ramos played a significant role in 2010 as Spain won the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history. In total, he made four World Cup appearances.
7. Andres Guardado (179)
José Andrés Guardado is Mexico’s leading, most-capped international player. He has made over 179 appearances in the North American country.
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José began his international career in 2005 and has won three CONCACAF Gold Cups with the Mexican Men’s National team.
He has also made five World Cup appearances for Mexico and was captain at some tournaments. He was also voted IFFHS CONCACAF Men’s Team of the Decade (2011–2020) and IFFHS CONCACAF Men’s Team of All Time in 2021.
8. Mohamed Al-Deayea (178)
Mohamed Al-Deayea played for the Saudi Arabian men’s football team as a goalkeeper. He is the country’s most-capped player at 178 and in eight spots internationally.
He represented the Saudi men’s national team between 1993 and 2006. He won the 1996 United Arab Emirates Asian Cup final with Saudi Arabia.
9. Claudio Sanchez (177)
Claudio Sanchez is the second Mexican international on the list after Andres Guardado.
Claudio Sanchez made 177 appearances with Mexico, winning one CONCACAF Gold Cup and one FIFA Confederations Cup.
10. Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon is one of the greatest goalkeepers in world football. He made 176 appearances with the Italian Men’s National team and was the country’s most capped player.
He won the FIFA World Cup with Italy in 2006 and recorded five appearances at the tournament. He also made four appearances at the European Championship.