Following FC Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol’s decision to retire from football on Friday, we take a look at five other one-club men from the modern era and how many matches they have played in comparison to the centre back …
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One-club players: The whole career at one club
6) Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona, 1999-2014) : 593 matches in all competitions
What a truly brilliant career that the shaggy-haired defender has enjoyed at Camp Nou, with the 36-year-old having won every single trophy possible that there is to claim in football, both domestically and on the international stage too, during his illustrious 15-career in Catalonia, including six La Ligas, two Copa del Reys, three Uefa Champions Leagues and both the European championships and the World Cup too with his country.
5) Xavi Hernandez (FC Barcelona, 1998 – present day): 722 matches
Puyol’s closest friend in the game started out at Camp Nou just one year before he did, and the brilliant Spain international is still going strong for both club and country, even at the tender age of 34, although there has bee a mountain of speculation of late suggesting that this could be also the midfielder’s final-ever campaign for both Barca and La Roja.
4) Jamie Carragher (Liverpool, 1997 – 2013): 737 matches
The Reds defender finally decided to call it a day at the end of the 2012-13 campaign after 16 glorious years at Anfield, with Carra having featured in a number of different positions for the Merseyside giants during his time at the club, including as a centre back, right and left back and a holding midfielder too.
Meanwhile, the former England international also won a bucket load of trophies during his career with Liverpool, although Carragher never got his hands on the Premier League title though.
3) Paolo Maldini (AC Milan, 1985 – 2009): 902 appearances
The defender, whose father Cesare both played for and managed the Rossoneri too, is without doubt the greatest-ever player to have ever represented the Serie A giants, which the ex-Italy international did with distinction across a glittering 24-year career.
Maldini was utilised as both a left back and in central defence as well at San Siro, with the silky-smooth Azzurri star won seven league titles, one Coppa Italia and an incredible five Uefa Champions League crowns too.
2) Ryan Giggs (Manchester United, 1991 – present day): 963 matches
The flying Welshman is still to decide whether he will carry on playing for the Red Devils next season following a recent meeting with soon-to-be new United head coach Louis van Gaal after an incredible 23 years at the very top.
However, if the 40-year-old does decide to bow out after all this summer, then he can do so with his head held high, as well as with 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four League Cups and two Uefa Champions League winners’ medals to his name.
1) Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo, 1992 – present day): 1,143 matches
What a sensational career between the posts the goalkeeper has enjoyed to date for both his club side back in Brazil, Sao Paulo, as well as for the Selecao too, who the 41-year-old represented on 16 occasions between 1997 and 2006.
But it is his club career with the Brazilian giants that the shot stopper is best known for, with Ceni having captained the team for much of that time, winning three leagues, the Fifa World Club Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and two Copa Libertadores, although perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of his time at the club are the 115 goals that the keeper has managed to score!
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