From Gianluigi Buffon to Xavi: 5 footballers to have played the most number of matches

Countless footballers have played even at an age when most of them tend to give up. Furthermore, if one keeps performing, it leads the player to keep playing on as long as he delivers. Naturally, some of these players go on to play a record number of matches by the time they quit.

Footballers tend to retire early since they find it challenging to continue running with the ball long enough. However, some show no signs of slowing down, as they seem to keep playing forever.

Naturally, as long as one keeps performing, the more matches he is to feature in. As a result, it adds up to his matches list, as some go on to feature in record career matches.

Be it international or club level, it all counts, and one can delay his retirement as long as he delivers. On the same note, we look at five footballers to have played the most games in their illustrious career.

Gianluigi Buffon
The legendary Italian goalkeeper is over 40 and is showing no signs of fatigue. Having played more than 675 games for Juventus, Buffon does not look like he is giving up anytime soon. He also featured in 176 games for Italy. He has played 1,124 career games since 1995, including matches from Italy's U-16 to U-23 and is fifth on the list, having featured in 26 seasons.

Xavi
The former Spanish midfielder and Barcelona legend is fourth in the list. He played for Barca throughout his career and featured in 767 games for the senior side and 133 games for Spain. He has played 1,135 career matches, including his stints from Spain U-17 to U-23.

Roberto Carlos
The legendary Brazilian defender and the free-kick specialist has to feature in the list. As for his club career, he rose to prominence at Real Madrid, playing 527 games, besides featuring in 125 games for the national side. He has had numerous stints with some of the world's big clubs, while his free-kick abilities kept him going at the latter stages. Nonetheless, he managed to play 1,139 games, including Brazil's U-20 and Olympic stint.

Rogério Ceni
Another Brazilian in the list, Ceni was one of the finest goalkeepers from the country. He played majorly for São Paulo throughout his career and featured in mammoth 1,197 games, while he could play just 17 for the country. Interestingly, he also scored 129 goals through free-kicks and penalties and holds the record of the same by a goalkeeper. Naturally, he featured in many matches, which accounts to 1,234, including 25 seasons.

Peter Shilton
On top of it is England's most fantastic goalkeeper of all-time, Peter Shilton. While he had a glorious career with several English clubs, his prime came at Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Derby County, where he played more than 200 games each, besides featuring in 125 matches for England. Including his stint form England U-23, he holds the record of featuring in the most number of games, 1,390, which spans across 31 seasons. The history is unlikely to be ever surpassed by any.