Top six German players with most appearances in Champions League history

Three names are still active from this list in the Champions League.

German footballers have dominated the sport in many competitions. Over the years we have witnessed many players who show their calibre and help their respective clubs win many competitions. One of the most highly-rated competitions in European football is the UEFA Champions League, where many top sides from different European leagues play against each other.

We have witnessed how Germans dominate in this game faring for their respective club. With that note, we take a look at the top six German players with the most appearances in the competition.

6. Ilkay Gundogan (101 appearances)

Ilkay Gundogan is the most recent addition to this top six German players’ list to make the most appearances in the Champions League. The midfielder had played the majority of his career at Manchester City when he joined them from Borussia Dortmund and led them to the Champions League trophy in the 2022/23 season.

However, after that, he left the club as a free agent and joined Barcelona where he further made a massive impression and became a household name instantly. But due to odd circumstances, the German international left the Spanish club and rejoined City, where he continues to make an impact and recently completed a century of appearances in the Champions League.

5. Oliver Kahn (103 appearances)

One of the greatest goalkeepers of the modern era, Kahn became a Bayern Munich stalwart and established himself as their legendary goalkeeper where he played for 14 years. He is an icon for the German club and won plenty of trophies.

His reliability saw him play matches consistently. He even led Bayern to the 2000-01 Champions League. Following so many years with the Bundesliga club Kahn decided to retire from football and etched his name in the history book of the club.

4. Philipp Lahm (112 appearances)

Philipp Lahm was one of the greatest captains Bayern had produced, the versatile centre-back quickly became an integral figure at the club and aided in the club’s success. Lahm broke through the academy of Bayern in 2002 and the rest is history

He played there for 15 years and enjoyed many glorious times. He is also one of the German players to make the most appearances in the Champions League. The fullback guided them to win the 2012–13 UCL trophy as Bayern’s captain.

New Champions League record 🚨Manuel Neuer makes history ✨#UCL pic.twitter.com/CNePLqvbuW

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 17, 2024

3. Manuel Neuer (144 appearances)

Eclipsing Kahn’s legacy as Bayern Munich goalkeeper was nearly impossible. But Neuer’s consistent performance saw him become the greatest goalkeeper of all time at the club. Neuer joined the Bundesliga side in 2011, and so far, no custodian has been able to replace him, which underlines how instrumental he has been for the German club.

Be it in the Bundesliga or the Champions League, Neuer’s impact has been massive between the sticks. He is also third in the list of German players to have the most appearances in Champions League history, having won the trophy in  2012–13 and 2019–20

2. Toni Kroos (151 appearances)

Toni Kroos is the German player to have won the most Champions League trophies. After losing the final in 2010-11 against Chelsea, the midfield maestro lifted the first trophy the following season when they (Bayern) beat rival Borussia Dortmund in the final.

He then left for Real Madrid where he became the most fundamental part of the club and aided them in winning five Champions League. Last season the midfielder announced his retirement and capped off the season by winning the trophy with 151 appearances in the competition.

Born in 𝑩𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂, built for 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔! 👑🥨 Hol dir jetzt unser neues #FCBayern 24/25 Wiesn-Trikot! 📎 https://t.co/rZriZwP6tK#MiaSanMia #FCBayern

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1. Thomas Muller (154 appearances)

Thomas Muller has the most appearances a German player in Champions League history. Given that Kroos has retired from football, Muller can only be caught by his teammate Neuer at the moment.

Muller has played the majority of his career for Bayern Munich and won two Champions League. Now if he features in the next game, against French giants PSG), then he will be wearing the Bayern kit in UCL for the 155th time.

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