Top five goalkeepers with most Euro appearances

A new record was set at the Euro 2024 for the most goalkeeper appearances.

The UEFA European Championships is regarded as arguably the hardest major international tournament in football to win. The competition is intense and there is immense star power on display. Players who regularly play for major local and foreign clubs across the top leagues put their best foot forward in order to win the continental showpiece for their respective countries.

To play one edition is a major milestone but some iconic players have gone on to feature in multiple editions. Focusing on the goalkeepers, some legendary custodians have featured for their countries at multiple Euros, accumulating a lot of appearances thanks to their quality and reliability between the sticks.

Keeping the focus on the goalkeepers, here is a look at the top five players with the most appearances at the UEFA European Championships over the years:

5. Hugo Lloris – 15 appearances

The former captain of France’s national football team and FIFA World Cup winner Hugo Lloris has 15 appearances. The custodian was part of the French team that finished as runners-up to Portugal during the 2016 edition of the Euros. He has retired from international football and thus is not part of the Les Bleus squad at the 2024 European Championships in Germany.

From breaking his leg while skiing ⛷️ in the Alps, December 2022, to reaching this milestone explains the longevity of Manuel Neuer 🇩🇪🧤#Euro2024 #Neuer #Buffon #RuiPatricio pic.twitter.com/ihfXwcckAe

— Khel Now World Football (@KhelNowWF) June 24, 2024

4. Rui Patricio – 16 appearances

Rui Patricio of Portugal has amassed 16 appearances at this continental competition. The custodian has over 108 appearances for the national team, featuring in several major international tournaments and winning the 2016 edition of the Euros as well. While the 36-year-old is part of the Portuguese squad at the 2024 European Championships in Germany, he has fallen down the pecking order to the likes of Diogo Costa (Porto) and Jose Sa (Wolves). 

3. Edwin van der Sar – 16 appearances

Edwin van der Sar is a legendary figure when it comes to all-time greatest goalkeepers in football. The Dutch keeper made 16 appearances at the Euros across multiple editions, four in total. However, he was not able to guide the national team to winning the continental showpiece. Now retired, Edwin van der Sar made over 130 appearances for the Netherlands.

2. Gianluigi Buffon – 17 appearances

Gianluigi Buffon held the spot as the goalkeeper with the most appearances at the UEFA European Championships until he was dethroned recently. The legendary goalkeeper represented Italy in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. While he won the FIFA World Cup for Italy in 2006, the fate was somewhat different at the Euros where he could not guide the team to lifting the trophy.

1. Manuel Neuer – 18 appearances

Manuel Neuer is the goalkeeper with the most appearances at the Euros. The German international has featured in 18 matches at the continental tournament across the 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024 editions. He is the first-choice goalkeeper in Germany’s squad at the 2024 European Championships and is set to add to his tally of 18 appearances with the hosts advancing beyond the group stage.

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