Loyalty is becoming an increasingly uncommon characteristic for footballers to have. As they jump ship for more money and in search of the most-prized trophies in the world, clubs are struggling to find legends who will stay through the good times and the bad.

However, as is always the case, there are some exceptions. This has been highlighted in the Champions League, with some players featuring in the competition for just one club, not only showing loyalty, but also shining in one of the hardest competitions in world football.

After Thomas Muller broke the record for the most Champions League appearances for one club on the 17th September 2024, we have decided to outline the top nine on the all-time list. It is dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona stars, with just one Premier League legend featuring.

9 Sergio Busquets

Barcelona – 129 appearances

The glue to the system. Sergio Busquets allowed Barcelona to thrive by doing the hard work. By breaking up play, dominating the midfield battle and providing a safe option, the Spaniard was the key cog in the Catalan giants’ system time and time again. They’ve not been the same since he left.

Throughout his legendary career in Spain, he played 129 Champions League matches for Barcelona. During those, he won the competition three times, as Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka team became one of the greatest club sides of all time. Maybe Busquets wasn’t ‘flashy’, but he certainly got the job done.

8 Raul

Real Madrid – 130 appearances

From one Spanish legend to another. Raul epitomised the meaning of Real Madrid throughout his legendary career, with the striker excelling throughout a 16-year career in the Spanish capital. He made 130 Champions League appearances for the club, winning it three times.

With an eye for goal, Raul was always at the heart of Real Madrid’s attacking intent, and he has scored the third-most goals in the club’s history; only Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have scored more. Fans of the Galacticos have always seen Raul as one of their greatest players of all time – not just because of his talent, but also due to his longevity and loyalty. It’s rare nowadays.

7 Andres Iniesta

Barcelona – 130 appearances

Forming one-third of Barcelona’s legendary midfield. As Busquets did the quiet unsung work, Andres Iniesta was given to thrive as an energetic, bold and creative box-to-box midfielder. The Spaniard, who is one of the greatest midfielders to play the game, made 130 appearances in the competition for Barcelona.

His most memorable moment in the competition came in the 2009 semi-finals against Chelsea when he produced a curling strike with the outside of his right foot 25 yards from goal in the final minute of the match. It saw them progress to the final, beating Man United in Rome. World-class.

6 Karim Benzema

Real Madrid – 133 appearances

Karim Benzema was one-third of one of the greatest attacking trios of all time alongside Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. He always seemed to go under the radar, though, so when the duo left, Benzema stepped up to the occasion emphatically. During the 2021/2022 campaign, Real Madrid won the competition by beating Liverpool 1-0 in the final.

Throughout a chaotic run to the main event in Paris, Benzema was always the hero, scoring 15 goals in 12 matches. This included back-to-back hat-tricks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. Unsurprisingly, Benzema was rewarded for his efforts, winning the Ballon d’Or for the first and only time in his career.

5 Ryan Giggs

Man United – 141 appearances

As one of the greatest Premier League players of all time, Ryan Giggs was always going to feature on this list. He was a true ‘one-club man’, playing for Manchester United from 1990 to 2014. Compared to others on this list, Giggs was not a natural goalscorer, but the Welshman’s fluidity gave defenders nightmares.

At left wing, Giggs always stood wide, running with the ball quickly and dynamically. His dazzling runs were crucial for the Red Devils during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, with their 1999 and 2008 triumphs in UEFA’s most prestigious competition only possible due to his performances. The legendary Welshman was in a league of his own.

4 Lionel Messi

Barcelona – 149 appearances

Is he the greatest player of all time? The debate around Lionel Messi vs Ronaldo will go on until the end of time, with everyone naturally having a different opinion. However, there’s no doubt Messi had one of the greatest European careers of all time with Barcelona.

He has scored the second most goals in the Champions League – only behind Ronaldo – and he’s won the competition four times. Everyone remembers the 2011 final against Manchester United when Messi showed why he was the best player in the world with a stunning strike into the bottom right corner. Sir Alex Ferguson could not believe it.

3 Iker Casillas

Real Madrid – 150 appearances

As the only goalkeeper on this list, Iker Casillas is lacking company, but that only strengthens his argument for being the greatest keeper of all time. The Spaniard, who also dominated the international scene at the World Cup and Euros, remains a legend for Real Madrid.

He played for the club from 1999 to 2015, winning the competition three times. Throughout that legendary spell, he was as calm as you could imagine, providing the perfect foundations for Real Madrid to build from. The only downside is he never won the Ballon d’Or – partially due to his position; the closest he came was fourth in 2008.

2 Xavi

Barcelona – 151 appearances

The final member of Barcelona’s almost unbelievable midfield trio. Xavi is one of the greatest players in the Catalan giants’ history, as his performances helped them dominate European football over the years. They won the Champions League four times whilst he was at the club.

It seemed that Pep Guardiola’s ‘tiki-taka’ philosophy was engrained into Xavi’s DNA, with the energetic and composed midfielder controlling the tempo of matches effortlessly. Maybe he was not as ‘flashy’ as Iniesta, but Xavi’s ability to dominate matches, despite his height, places him in the competition’s Hall of Fame.

1 Thomas Muller

Bayern Munich – 152 appearances

Finally, Thomas Muller has made the most appearances for one club in the Champions League, breaking the record on the 17th September 2024 as Bayern Munich won 9-2. The iconic forward didn’t start the match, but he came off the bench in the 68th minute to make history.

He also surpassed Toni Kroos with the most appearances for a German player that night, firmly making Muller one of the greatest players in the nation’s history. He has won the Champions League on two occasions, in 2013 and 2020, with his versatility and determination seeing him through the struggles that come with age. At 35, he is still thriving.