Most games played in history? Lionel Messi reaches 1000 matches at World Cup 2022

Agustín Aboy

Most games played in history? Lionel Messi reaches 1000 matches at World Cup 2022 image

Make it another career milestone for Lionel Messi .

When the Argentina legend took the field against Australia in the Round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he achieved a remarkable feat.

Argentina won the match thanks in part to a goal by Messi, who opened the scoring — although it was far from an easy match for the Albiceleste who hung on for the 2-1 win.

Messi joined a select group of elite players in history in that game, with 1,000 official matches played in their professional career.

And by being named in the side for the final of Qatar 2022 against France, the iconic Albiceleste No. 10 chalked up yet another record, as the player to have appeared in most World Cup matches ever.

MORE: All about Messi — records, milestones, goals, contract and salary

How many games has Messi played?

Here's how Messi reached four digits worth of appearances in his professional career:

Team / Club Matches
played
Argentina (senior team only) 172
FC Barcelona (first team only) 778
Paris Saint-Germain 53
TOTAL 1,003

Stats correct as of December 18, 2022

MORE: Latest news on Messi's rumored move to Inter Miami

How many games has Ronaldo played?

It's going to take Messi a bit to catch up to Cristiano Ronaldo, who holds the record for matches played by an outfield player (non-goalkeepers):

Team / Club Matches
played
Portugal (senior team only) 196
Real Madrid 438
Manchester United 346
Juventus 134
Sporting CP 31
TOTAL 1,145

Stats correct as of December 18, 2022

Most games played in history

Brazilian goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni holds the record for most official matches played against to International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), which tracks records and milestone statistics in the sport.

The Sao Paulo legend, who also happens to be the goalkeeper with the most goals to his name, reached 1,214 matches played between Sao Paulo (1990-2015) and the Brazil national team.

Another goalkeeper, Englishman Peter Shilton (below) proclaimed himself as the player with most matches in history although the IFFHS only credits him with 1,206 matches, good for second on the all-time list. Shilton played for England as well as eight English clubs between 1966-1997 before retiring at 47.

MORE: When will Lionel Messi retire?

Peter Shilton | England

Among outfield players, Ronaldo has the most official matches with 1,145 matches since he debuted as a professional at the end of 2002.

Other legends like Roberto Carlos, Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, Raul, Paolo Maldini, Ryan Giggs, and Frank Lampard have between 1,000-1,100 matches played.

Top 10 players with most games played

Rank Player Matches played
1. Rogerio Ceni (Brazil) 1,214
2. Peter Shilton (England) 1,206
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 1,145*
4. Javier Zanetti (Argentina) 1,100
5. Roberto Carlos (Brazil) 1,090
6. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) 1,073*
7. Ray Clemence (England) 1,069
8. Iker Casillas (Spain) 1,048
9. Pat Jennings (N. Ireland) 1,042
10. Glenn Ferguson (N. Ireland) 1,041

*Still active. Stats correct as of December 18, 2022

Which Argentine player has played the most matches?

Javier Zanetti Inter 1998

Javier 'El Pupi' Zanetti is the Argentine player with the most official matches played in football history. The Inter Milan legend played 858 games with the Italian team, 143 with the Argentina national team, 66 with Banfield in Argentina and 33 with Talleres de Remedios de Escalada. 

In total Zanetti reached a total of 1,100 official matches between 1992 and 2014 when he retired at age 40.

Agustín Aboy

Agustín Aboy Photo

Agustín es productor de contenidos para Sporting News. Comencé con los sitios globales de NBA.com en 2019. Enviado al NBA All-Star Game Chicago 2020. Frustración en la práctica de una gran cantidad de deportes, placer en contarlos desde afuera.