Most capped footballers
Ahmed Hassan of Egypt currently holds the record for gaining most international caps at senior level… collecting 184 between December 1995 and May 2012.
Mohamed AlDeayea of Saudi Arabia gained 178 between April 1993 and May 2006 and Claude Suarez of Mexico won 177 between July 1992 and June 2006.
The top European capwinner is veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who, between October 1997 and March 2018, was awarded 176. The Spanish ‘keeper Iker Casillas, fellow countryman Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) who are all still playing, have 167, 161 and 155 caps respectively right now.
Going down the list, next in line we have the former German midfielder Lothar Matthaus with 150 caps to his credit. He is followed by the Swede Anders Svensson with 148, Peter Schmeichel 129, Republic of Ireland stars, Robbie Keane 146 and goalkeeper Shay Given 134, Peter Shilton (England) and David Silva (Manchester City and Spain) both on 125 … the latter, however, is still adding to his total.
Another goalkeeper, Petr Cech, has 124 caps in his locker; exArsenal and French striker Thierry Henry won 123, Wayne Rooney collected 120, another goalkeeper, Ireland’s Pat Jennings gained 119 and the Croatian star Luka Modric has 119 and he’s also still playing. Thereafter, we have the DEnglish duo of David Beckham 115 and Steven Gerrard 114, followed by Ireland’s Aaron Hughes 112 and two Spaniards, Fernando Torres and Cesz Fabregas, both on 110.
Former Liverpool star Javier Mascherano holds the record for most caps gained by a South American player with 147 for Argentina, but Lionel Messi (130) is closing in fast.
Fact File
■ Billy Wright, the Wolves and England defender, was the first player in world football to win a total of 100 full internationals caps, reaching the milestone v. Scotland in 1959.