By Grant James

Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon notched his 167th international appearance in a friendly versus Germany last week, equalling the European record set by Spaniard Iker Casillas. In modern football, where the continuous factory of players produces younger, faster and sharper stars through the ranks, it is an incredible achievement from the 38-year-old veteran to have kept his number 1 jersey for nearly 20 years. In this article, I will be looking at players with the most international caps for their country, and there’s a surprise inclusion at number 1…

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5) Hossam Hassan

The fifth highest player on the list, but not even the most capped Egyptian, Hossan Hassan was an Egyptian striker who played 169 times for his country, where he is the all time top goal scorer netting 69 goals. He won three African Cup of Nations in three different decades during an industrious career spanning over 20 years, where he was also fortunate enough to play with his twin brother on over 100 occasions.

4) Claudio Suarez

With 178 caps for Mexico, the central defender is known as “The Emperor” in his home nation. During his 14 years as a Mexico player, Suarez captained the team, played in 3 World Cups and scored 6 times.

3) Mohamed Al-Deayea

Goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea represented Saudi Arabia 178 times, playing in 4 World Cup’s and spending his entire career in the country, winning everything possible with Al-Hilal. Before the 2002 World Cup, there were strong rumours the Saudi Arabian was set to replace Fabien Barthez at Manchester United, however, after conceding 12 goals in the group stage, it seemed the deal was called off. Al-Deayea was voted Asia’s Goalkeeper of the Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics in 1999.

2) Ahmed Hassan

Ahmed Hassan is the all time most capped international male footballer in history with 184 appearances for Egypt. He won the Africa Cup of Nations 4 times (1998, 2006, 2008, 2010), being named Player of the Tournament in 2006 where he captained the side and scored 4 goals in 6 matches. Hassan broke Hossam Hassan’s (no relation) appearance record in January 2010, making

his 170th appearance for his country. In an eventful game for the midfielder, he scored an own goal, equalized with a long range screamer, and then claimed the last goal in a 3-1 win, despite replays showing the ball did not cross the line.

1) Kristine Lilly

Kristine Lilly is the most capped international player in the history of the game, featuring a staggering 354 times for the United States women’s national team. During her 23-year career, she netted 130 times, and is 1 of 10 women to break the 200 appearance barrier. Lilly made her international debut in 1987 whilst still studying at high school, surpassing the previous record of 151 caps held by Norway’s Heidi Store in May 1987. The 2-time World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist is fondly remembered for her role in the 1999 World Cup final versus China. With the golden goal rule in effect, Lilly cleared a certain goal off the line during extra time, then scored the penalty which gave the USA the lead in the shootout, which they consequently went on to win. In 2007, she became the first women to appear in 5 World Cup Final’s. Legend.

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