Most appearances at Euros: who has played the highest number of games at the UEFA European Championship?

Euro 2020 will see Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo bid to become the first player to feature at five Euros
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The history of the Euros is full of football's biggest names, from Andrés Iniesta to Zinedine Zidane.

Many great players from across the continent have graced the UEFA European Championship stage over the tournament's 60 years.

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Some players will be hoping this summer's Euro 2020 is the first of many tournaments in their careers while for others it could signal the last.

Euro 2020 will see Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo bid to become the first player to feature at five Euros. (Pic: Getty)Euro 2020 will see Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo bid to become the first player to feature at five Euros. (Pic: Getty)
Euro 2020 will see Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo bid to become the first player to feature at five Euros. (Pic: Getty)

And, when it comes to the players who have made the highest number of appearances, there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest.

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Who has made the most appearances at the Euros?

In 2004, a talented and exciting young Portuguese prospect made his first appearance at the Euros.

A list of players who have made the highest number of appearances at the Euros. (Graphic: James Trembath / JPIMedia)A list of players who have made the highest number of appearances at the Euros. (Graphic: James Trembath / JPIMedia)
A list of players who have made the highest number of appearances at the Euros. (Graphic: James Trembath / JPIMedia)

His performances were full of the flair that football fans who had watched his maiden season at Manchester United had come to know well.

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In that first season at Old Trafford, the Sporting Lisbon signing showed his ambition by claiming the No.7 jersey formerly worn by David Beckham.

He ended it by winning over the skeptics, becoming an integral part of the Portugal team that made it to the Euro 2004 final and being named in the team of the tournament.

Since then the forward has collected a glut of club honours in England, Spain and Italy from domestic titles to Champions League glory and added a Euros winners' medal to his trophy cabinet in 2016.

The player who has made the most appearances at the Euros is, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.

How many appearances at the Euros has Ronaldo made?

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Ronaldo has made 21 appearances at the tournament prior to Euro 2020, according to UEFA data.

At Euro 2020, and the ripe old age of 36, Ronaldo is bidding to become the first player to feature in five European Championships.

Ronaldo has scored nine Euros goals from his previous four tournaments, whereas Platini scored all nine of his goals at Euro '84.

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Who else makes the top Euros appearance makers list?

Behind Ronaldo in the all-time top appearance makers at the Euros are Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (18) and Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (17).

Four players have made 16 appearances at the Euros - Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Lilian Thuram (France) and Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands).

Pepe (Portugal), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Joao Moutinho (Portugal), David Silva (Spain) and Nani (Portugal) have all made 15 appearances at the Euros.

All stats are correct prior to the start of the Euro 2020 tournament, according to the competition’s governing body UEFA.

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