No England players in top 20 

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Euro 2024 is almost upon us. It’s major international tournament season. This Friday hosts Germany take on Scotland in the competition’s curtain-raiser in Munich. Whilst many younger talents will get their first taste of European Championship action this summer, there will be a plethora of more experienced players attempting to lead their nations to glory. Germany have the oldest squad at the tournament with an average age of 28.5 years old, but plenty of other countries will be relying on older heads.

One player will be breaking a record this summer as he plays in his sixth Euros. This special talent also currently holds the record having already played in five tournaments. At Transfermarkt, we have compiled the most experienced players at European Championships of all time, ranked on the number of games they have played at the Euros and then separated by their minutes played. Two other seasoned stars will also be playing in their fifth Championships this summer. 

The players with the most all-time appearances at the Euros 

The player who leads the way is the superstar entering his sixth Euros, in none other than Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer and appearance maker Cristiano Ronaldo. He has played 25 games at the Euros – six more than any other player, and tasted glory back in Euro 2016, as Portugal beat hosts France 1-0 in the final thanks to an Eder extra time winner. If Portugal make it to the final of Euro 2024, 39-year-old Ronaldo could amass 32 matches at European Championships.

In second is another player going to the Euros this summer and another member of the Portuguese contingent in 41-year-old defender Pepe. He has played 19 games at European Championships. Portugal’s dominance over this list continues in third with João Moutinho – also playing 19 games, but fewer minutes than Pepe. Moutinho however wont be adding to his tally, as he is not part of Roberto Martinez’s squad. In fourth is legendary Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci who made 18 appearances and won the competition with Italy back at Euro 2020.

Also making 18 appearances, but playing fewer minutes, is former German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who went to four Euros with ‘Die Mannschaft’. Next, two players who have made 17 appearances a-piece are another pair of Italians in iconic keeper Gianluigi Buffon and fierce former defender Giorgio Chiellini, who both went to four European Championships with the Italy National team – Buffon leading Cheillini on the list by minutes played. 

There are six players with 16 appearances at the Euros. Rui Patrício could add to his tally with Portugal this summer and move up that list, although Diogo Costa is expected to be first choice keeper. Also on 16 is former Netherlands keeper Edwin van Der Sar, legendary French defender and Euro 2000 winner Lilian Thuram, and Spanish trio Jordi Alba, Andrés Iniesta, and Cesc Fàbregas who all won the trophy in both 2008 and 2012, barring Alba who was only in the squad for the 2012 triumph.