Top 5 players who played the most World Cup matches

Number five, Uwe Seeler

Number five, Uwe Seeler

Uwe Seeler, a German footballer, joined the 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970 tournaments. He has set a remarkable benchmark to which it is possible that the current players we have today might still follow. 

Number four, Diego Maradona 

Number four, Diego Maradona 

Diego Maradona is up there when it comes to one of the most famous footballers who have ever lived. He participated in the 1982, 1986, 1990 and the 1994 World Cup. He participated in the tournament for the span of four World Cups and 21 appearances, similar to Uwe Seeler. 

Number three, Paolo Maldini 

Number three, Paolo Maldini 

Paolo Maldini, played for Italy in the 1990, 1994, 1998 and the 2002 World Cup has made 23 appearances. However, he has not won a World Cup in his career. During his first appearance in 1990, he appeared in all of the seven matches for Italy. 

Number two, Miroslav Klose

Number two, Miroslav Klose

Miroslav Klose, who is another German on the list who has the record of the most goal scorer for the World Cup. He was well known for his hat-tricks and shocked fans with his 2002 debut where Germany scored 8-0 against Saudi Arabia. 

Number one, Lothar Matthäu

Number one, Lothar Matthäu

Lothar Matthäus, the third German player on this list and is known as the longevity king. He participated in the 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups. This made him participate in the most tournaments ever at a whopping 25 appearances.