Former Liverpool star closes in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most appearances in European competitions… as he edges past Iker Casillas and Paolo Maldini
- Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list of most appearances in European competitions
- But, a former Liverpool star is closing in on the forward’s record of 197 games
- What is going on?! Why should players take stick from fans after they’ve lost? – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
A former Liverpool favourite is putting Cristiano Ronaldo‘s record for the most appearances in European competitions under pressure.
Ronaldo played 197 times in Europe for the likes of Sporting Lisbon, Man United, Real Madrid and Juventus between 2002 and 2022, before his acrimonious departure from Old Trafford two years ago.
During his illustrious run on the continent, Ronaldo edged past the likes of Iker Casillas, Paolo Maldini and Xavi in the top five, with his arch-rival Lionel Messi sixth on the list with 167 appearances.
However, former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has crept up to second this season and is now just five appearances behind Ronaldo after playing his 192nd game in Europe when he lined up for Villarreal on Thursday night.
Reina, now 41, began his professional career in 1999 with Barcelona and has featured for the Catalan giants, Liverpool, Napoli, AC Milan, Lazio and Villarreal in Europe, while he has also represented Bayern Munich and Aston Villa during his career.
A former Liverpool star is closing in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most games in Europe
Ronaldo’s 197 appearances in European competitions is the record, but he is now just five clear
The Spaniard rejoined The Yellow Submarine – who he originally moved to Liverpool from in 2005 – two years ago and he has racked up 43 appearances for the club in his second spell.
Despite losing his role as first choice in LaLiga, Reina remains their European No 1 and he has played in all seven of Villarreal’s Europa League matches so far this season.
And, during their last-16 first leg clash away at Marseille on Thursday night, Reina totted up his 192nd appearance, although it ended badly following a 4-0 defeat.
Out of Reina’s 192 games, 88 of these have come in the Champions League, 52 in the Europa League, 30 in the old UEFA Cup, 15 in the similarly now-defunct Intertoto Cup and seven in the Europa Conference League.
Reina has enjoyed relative success in Europe, winning the UEFA Super Cup with Liverpool in 2005, while he won back-to-back Intertoto Cups with Villarreal in 2003 and 2004.
However, he was part of the Reds side who lost 2-1 to AC Milan in the 2006-07 Champions League final.
Villarreal stopper Pepe Reina played his 192nd game in Europe against Marseille on Thursday
Reina has also represented Liverpool, Barcelona, Napoli, Lazio and AC Milan in Europe
Given Villarreal’s disastrous first leg showing in France last night, it seems as if Reina will have to continue into next season to beat Ronaldo’s record, although he should at least rack up his 193rd European outing in the second leg next Thursday.
During the 4-0 defeat by Marseille, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice, while Jordan Veretout also netted and Yerson Mosquera suffered the ignominy of scoring an own goal, before former Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno was sent off late on.
Reina, who also won 36 caps for Spain, has racked up 940 senior appearances in a club career that has now spanned 25 years.
