Top 10 players with most number of appearances in Bundesliga

All these footballers have played over 500 games in the German top flight.

The Bundesliga is one of the most popular football leagues in the world. Part of the elite European competitions, the league includes the best of the best from Germany and abroad. It is one of the most prestigious leagues, which has seen many legendary figures of the game feature extensively in the past and present.

Playing for an extended period of time for a footballer is a privilege considering the risk of injuries. However, there are some footballers who go on to feature record-setting number of times. Same is the case with the Bundesliga, where some legendary figures have the most number of appearances. 

Here is a look at the top 10 players with most number of appearances in the Bundesliga:

10. Ulrich Stein - 512 

Ulrich Stein is a well-known figure in the Bundesliga and was a brilliant goalkeeper. The custodian made over 512 appearances and featured for three clubs in the competition, namely Arminia Bielefeld, Hamburger SV and Eintracht Frankfurt.

He won the Bundesliga twice with Hamburger SV in 1981/82 and 1982/83. Stein also won the European Champions Cup in 1983 with Hamburg and has two German Cups in his locker.

9. Michael Lameck - 518

Michael Lameck was a defensive midfielder back in the day and one of the most consistent performers for VFL Bochum. He made 518 appearances in the Bundesliga and all of them came for one club. He retired as a professional player in 1990 and has worked as a manager for Bochum Reserves.

8. Willi Neuberger - 522

Willi Neuberger has played 522 matches in the Bundesliga. During that time, he scored 62 goals and provided 30 assists. Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt are some of the clubs he has played for in the past. Neuberger also won the German Cup twice with Frankfurt and a UEFA Cup with the same outfit.

7. Eike Immel - 534

Eike Immel is the next player on the list with 534 appearances in the Bundesliga. The custodian played for two clubs in the competition and most extensively for VFB Stuttgart.

He also won the league once with Stuttgart in 1991/92 and a European Championship with Germany in 1980. He is currently working as the goalkeeping coach for Stadtallendorf.

6. Klaus Fischer - 535

Klaus Fischer was one of the most prolific strikers in the history of the Bundesliga. He is also one of the leading goalscorers because of his 268 goals in the competition and 15 assists to add to the tally.

He played for four clubs in the competition and most extensively for Schalke 04. Fischer was also the league’s top scorer during the 1975/76 season, with 29 goals to his name.

5. Mirko Votava - 545

Mirko Votava is fifth in terms of most Bundesliga appearances with 545 matches. He played most extensively for Werder Bremen and stayed at the club for 11 years.

Votava also featured briefly for outfits like Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid in Spain. He won two league titles, two German Cups and three German Super Cups with Werder Bremen and is one of their club legends.

4. Klaus Fichtel - 552

Klaus Fichtel was another defensive midfielder who played extensively in the Bundesliga. He recorded over 552 appearances and played most dominantly for Schalke 04.

He retired as a professional player in 1988 and was recently acting as a scout for Schalke. Fichtel also won the German Cup with them in 1971/72.

3. Oliver Kahn - 557

Oliver Kahn is one of the most iconic personalities in the history of German football. The former captain of the German national team has played 557 games in the Bundesliga, third-most for any player.

The goalkeeper played for 14 years for Bayern Munich and retired in 2008. He now acts as the club’s chairman. Furthermore, Kahn won the Bundesliga eight times. 

2. Manfred Kaltz - 581

Manfred Kaltz spent 19 years at Hamburger SV in his first spell with the club, becoming one of their all-time greatest players.

He played over 581 matches in the Bundesliga and is regarded as one of the best right-backs of all-time in the competition. He won three league titles, two German Cups and a European Champions Cup once with Hamburger SV. 

1. Karl-Heinz Korbel - 602

The only player to play over 600 games in the history of the Bundesliga is Karl-Heinz Korbel. He played 602 games in the competition, all for Eintracht Frankfurt.

The centre-back is the leading appearance-maker and won four German Cups with the club. Korbel retired in 1991. He is currently working as a head of football schools at Frankfurt.

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