CaughtOffside’s XI of the players at this summer’s World Cup with the highest number of caps.
Gaining one cap at international level is impressive, so those players who manage to reach a century of caps for their country should be particularly treasured. With this in mind, this XI is made of the players going to Brazil this summer with the highest number of caps for their nations.
GK) Iker Casillas
Despite Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon having amassed 140 caps for his country, it is Spaniard Iker Casillas who leads the way in terms of the tournament’s goalkeepers. Casillas will earn his 155th cap when Spain face the Netherlands in their opening game, which also makes Casillas the highest capped player from any nation at the tournament. The Real Madrid hero has also re-established himself at club level in the past twelve months after a difficult time under former boss Jose Mourinho.
RB) Dario Srna
The highest capped right back at the tournament is Croatian Dario Srna, the 32 year-old having pulled on the distinctive red and white kit of Croatia on 113 occasions. Srna is perhaps underrated in footballing circles having spent the majority of his career at Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, but his calmness in possession and ability to drive forward from full back will be key to Croatia’s hopes of making it out of Group A.
CB) Rafael Marquez
Mexican centre back Rafael Marquez has gained 120 caps for his nation, making him the most capped defender at the 2014 World Cup. Whilst Marquez is unlikely to be given a start in what is a fairly youthful Mexican side, his experience will be vital for a side who are looking to continue their exemplary record of making it out of the group stages. The former Barcelona and Monaco star now plays in the Mexican league for Leon.
CB) Sergio Ramos
He may only be 28 years old, but Real Madrid and Spain centre back Sergio Ramos has already picked up 116 caps for the World Cup holders, a total that he is sure to add to in Brazil. A fiery character who is also a huge goal threat at the other end, Ramos scored the vital equalising goal late on in Real’s Champions League final victory over local rivals Atletico Madrid. He has been key to a Spain side who have won three major international tournaments on the bounce.
LB) Maynor Figueroa
He may play for one of the World Cup’s less fancied countries, but Hull City left back Maynor Figueroa is a giant figure in Honduran football. The former Wigan Athletic man has picked up 102 caps for Honduras, including playing a key part in the tiny Central American nation’s qualification for a second tournament in a row. A solid if unspectacular left back in the Premiership, Figueroa is best known for scoring a free kick from his own half against Stoke City whilst with the Latics.
DCM) Yasuhito Endo
Japanese central midfielder Yasuhito Endo is the most capped outfield player at the 2014 World Cup, with the Gamba Osaka man having picked up 144 caps for the Samurai Blue to date. Often less heralded than some of his more skilful and glamorous teammates across two generations, Endo has been the man who has continued to keep the Japenese midfield ticking over with his intelligence and crisp passing, attributes that have been evident in over 400 appearances for Gamba.
CM) Steven Gerrard
England captain Steven Gerrard is comfortably the Three Lions’ highest capped player, the Liverpool man having picked up 110 caps so far. Not much expectation has been heaped upon England ahead of this tournament, but if they are to make it out of a difficult group alongside Uruguay and Italy then the drive and experience of Gerrard is certain to prove vital. Gerrard is also a one-club man, having made over 400 appearances in the Premier League for Liverpool.
CM) Giorgos Karagounis
Greece midfielder Giorgos Karagounis has made 135 appearances for his country, including having the honour of winning Euro 2004 as the Greeks shocked the continent. An unremarkable but incredibly hard-working midfielder, Karagounis’ nomadic career has taken him to clubs as varied as Panathinaikos, Inter Milan, Benfica and Fulham, supporters of whom have all appreciated the heart and guts that Karagounis puts into the game. He remains a key part of a Greece team who will be hoping to improve on two dismal performances in 2006 and 2010.
ACM – Xavi
Perhaps the most influential player on the best team in the world, Xavi has led Spain to triumphs at three successive major tournaments, the undoubted highlights of his 132 Spanish caps. A Catalan hero who has spent his entire club career at Barcelona, Xavi became a key man as La Roja introduced Tiki-Taka to the international stage, the diminutive schemer dominating midfield alongside clubmate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso. This is likely to be Xavi’s swansong on the international stage, whilst his Barcelona career also seems to be winding down.
ST – Samuel Eto’o
Samuel Eto’o has been the undoubted poster boy of Cameroon for more than a decade, with the former Chelsea, Barcelona and Inter Milan centre forward having picked up 117 caps for the Indomitable Lions, scoring an impressive 56 goals along the way. He is a controversial figure, notably falling out with international teammate Alex Song, but has also dragged Cameroon to a number of international tournaments. They have struggled at World Cups, however, with 2014 likely to represent Eto’o’s last chance to make it into the knock-out stages.
ST – Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose can break the all-time World Cup goalscoring record in Brazil if he is given the opportunity by manager Joachim Low – which is no surprise when you consider that the German has scored 69 goals in 132 appearances for his country. Making his debut in 2001, Klose has become feared as a player who saves his very best for the biggest stage, an attribute which has given him the opportunity to snatch away Ronaldo’s record. Klose now plies his trade for Lazio, scoring 35 goals in Serie A over two seasons, whilst his career has also seen him take in spells at Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen and Kaiserslautern.
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