Loyalty is an increasingly hard trait to come by in the modern game, with most football players spending their career with stints at several different clubs.
Conversely, a player must be a special talent to hold down a starting position at the same club for several years; fending off both new signings and upcoming youth prospects to nail down their position.
In an era where player turnover is exceptionally high, and transfer fees continue to rise to extraordinary new heights, a football player spending years turning out for the same club is an achievement in itself.
Here we delve into the top 10 football players who have made the most appearances for a single club in Europe’s big five leagues this century.
Europe's 'Big Five' leagues are England's Premier League, Spain's La Liga, the German Bundesliga, France's Ligue 1 and Serie A in Italy.
Generally attracting the best talent in world football; the 'Big Five's' top clubs are steeped in wealth and history, making them an attractive proposition for ambitious players.
The players making the most appearances for any single club in this league therefore are truly elite players, such is the talent and longevity that is required to maintain the gruelling standards required.
It is no surprise to see Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player in history, topping the names on this list. The Argentine great played over 500 times for Barcelona in La Liga during his glittering career.
A close second on the list is former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller. A product of the Bavarian side's youth academy, Muller would spend 17 years turning out for Bayern in the Bundesliga, picking up 13 league titles in the process.
Rounding off the top three is another La Liga stalwart, Atletico Madrid's Koke; a two-time La Liga winner and capped 70 times by the Spanish national team.
The first Premier League representative is England great Frank Lampard, who was a long-time servant for Chelsea, the club he later returned to as manager.
Players with the most appearances for a single club in Europe’s Big 5 leagues this century
- Lionel Messi
- Thomas Muller
- Koke
- Sergio Busquets
- Jesus Navas
- Andres Iniesta
- Sergio Ramos
- Frank Lampard
- Karim Benzema
- Gianluigi Buffon
