Top five players with most appearances in Europa League history

A look at the most experienced footballers in UEL history

One of the most important club football tournaments in the world, the UEFA Europa League features the top teams from all across Europe. Through the years, a number of players have significantly impacted the competition by showing their abilities, dependability, and commitment. In this article, we'll highlight the top five players in UEFA Europa League history in terms of appearances and give a summary of each player's time playing for their respective clubs in the competition.

5. Andreas Ulmer (61 appearances)

Austrian left-back Andreas Ulmer has played for Red Bull Salzburg his entire professional career. He has been an important member of the team, helping them to multiple domestic championships and success in Europe. Ulmer debuted in the 2009–10 season and has since made 61 appearances in the UEFA Europa League. He has been a constant in Salzburg's defence, and people have commended him for his dependability and diligence.

4. Dries Mertens (61 appearances)

Belgian attacker Dries Mertens has represented a number of elite European teams, including Utrecht, Napoli and PSV Eindhoven, and now in Galatasaray. He has a long history of prolific scoring and has participated frequently in the UEFA Europa League. Mertens has 61 appearances in the competition and has been one the most deadliest players in the competition. He has been a key contributor for Napoli, helping them advance to the competition's knockout rounds numerous times.

3. Daniel Carrico (61 appearances)

Portuguese center-back Daniel Carrico has experience playing for various European teams, including Sporting CP, Reading, and Sevilla. Throughout his career, he has been a dependable defender and a consistent performer in the UEFA Europa League. Carrico debuted in the competition in the 2009–10 season, and he has since made 61 appearances. As one of the most successful players in competition history, he has won the competition four times with Sevilla.

2. Aleksander Dragovic (66 appearances)

Austrian center-back Aleksander Dragovic has represented a number of European teams, including Dynamo Kyiv, Leicester City, and Bayer Leverkusen. Throughout his career, he has consistently delivered, and he has participated frequently in the UEFA Europa League. Dragovic debuted in the competition in the 2009–10 season, and he has since made 66 appearances. He has been a key contributor for Dynamo Kyiv and Bayer Leverkusen, assisting them in several occasions to advance to the competition's knockout stages.

1. Rui Patricio (67 appearances)

Portuguese custodian Rui Patricio has held the position for Sporting CP, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and AS Roma. Throughout his career, he has been a dependable shot-stopper and a fixture in the UEFA Europa League. Patricio debuted in the tournament in the 2009–10 season, and he has since made 67 appearances. He has been a key contributor for Sporting CP, helping them advance to the competition's knockout rounds on several times. He has been a prominent player for the Roma club in the Europa 2022–2023 season and was a tremendous wall for them in winning the conference league in 2022.

Finally, these five players have had a huge effect in the UEFA Europa League, demonstrating their skills, consistency, and dedication over the years. Their tremendous amount of appearances in the competition demonstrates their talent as well as the success of their individual clubs in the competition.