Most Appearances on the International Scene Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This player started his career at CSKA SOFIA and became the most-capped Bulgarian player. His talent came to the attention of John Barnes and he was signed by Celtic. Who is this player, who became a legend at Aston Villa?

Answer: Stiliyan Petrov

Stiliyan Petrov made his mark with Celtic (1999-2006) and in August 2006 he moved to Aston Villa. He became Villa captain in the summer of 2009 and led the team to sixth place in the Premier league, the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the final of the League Cup in his first season holding the armband.
Petrov retired from football in 2013, due to leukaemia.

2. He was an English goalkeeper. He played a major role in the successes of Nottingham forest in the 1970s. Who is this former goalkeeper, who retired as the most-capped player in the history of England's national football team?

Answer: Peter Shilton

In addition to the record for most appearances, earning 125 caps, Shilton set an all-time record for the most competitive appearances in world football with 1,390. While playing for Nottingham Forest, Shilton won many honours, including the First Division championship, two European Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, and the Football League Cup.

He represented England at UEFA Euro 1980, the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 1986 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1988 and the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

3. He was one of the best defenders of his time. He was a key player for the French world cup winning team in 1998. Which former Juventus defender became the most capped player in the history of the France national team with 142 appearances?

Answer: Lilian Thuram

He began playing football with Monaco and played in the top flight in France, Italy and Spain for over 15 seasons (1991-2008), with notable stints in Serie A with both Parma and Juventus. He finished his career at Barcelona.

With France, Thuram was a key player for the team that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup; his side also won UEFA Euro 2000, and he was in the squad for the 2006 World Cup (where France finished as runners-up). He became a UNICEF ambassador, in 2010, and has stood out for stance against racism.

4. This defender spent his best years in Atl�tico Madrid and won a total of eight titles with the club. A Uruguay international since 2005, he became the country's all-time most-capped player in 2019 with 153 appearances. Who is he?

Answer: Diego Godin

He spent most of his professional career in Spain, representing Villarreal (2007-2010) and Atletico Madrid (2010-2019). He was a vital part of Atl�tico Madrid's title winning team in 2014. In 2017 he became the foreign player with most appearances for the club, surpassing fellow stopper Luis Perea after his 315th against Villarreal. Also, he was nominated for the 2016 and 2018 Ballon d'Or awards.

5. He was an uncompromising defender. He played at a record eight Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and served as captain of his country in five. Who is this former Cameronian defender who when on to coach the Cameroon U-23 national team?

Answer: Rigobert Song

Song started his professional career with Metz in 1996. After appearing at the 1998 World Cup, he joined Salernitana in the Italian Serie A. He spent his best four years with Galatasaray, winning two S�per Lig titles and the Turkish Cup. Song then signed a contract with Trabzonspor in 2008, where he won another Turkish Cup and stayed until 2010.

Song made 137 appearances for Cameroon from 1993 to 2010. He was sent off in two different World Cups, once against Brazil in 1994 and against Chile in 1998. His 1994 sending-off set a record for the youngest player ever to be sent off in a World Cup where he was only 17 years old. He nickname given by the Turkish fans was the "Big Chief".

6. He was a set-piece specialist. He spent his career in Japan, making a stunning 19-year run with Gamb Osaka (2001-2021). When he retired from international football in 2015, he was the most capped Japanese male player of all-time. Who is he?

Answer: Yasuhito End�

He made his senior international debut in 2002, representing Japan in three World Cups and three Confederations Cups. He retired from international football in 2015 with 152 caps, scoring 15 goals and becoming the most capped Japanese male player of all-time.

He is one of the few players who have managed to make above 1,000 professional career appearances. He is best known for his excellent accuracy on free kicks and is revered as one of Japan's most creative midfielders as well as one of the most talented Japanese footballers and playmakers of his generation. He spent his whole career in Japan.

7. This goalkeeper was one of the most capped players in the English Premier League. He started his career in his country of birth - Australia. Who is this former Chelsea and Fulham goalkeeper, who he retired from international football in 2013 as Australia's most capped player?

Answer: Mark Schwarzer

Schwarzer moved to Bradford City in 1996 and managed only 16 appearances before joining Premier League club Middlesbrough. He made a thrilling 445 appearances for Middlesbrough, but decided to leave the club in 2008, when he moved to Premier League side Fulham, He made 218 appearances for Fulham until he moved to Chelsea in 2013.

He became the first foreign player to have made more than 500 appearances in the English Premier League.

8. This Swiss professional footballer played as a midfielder and was as accurate as a Swiss watch. Who is this Grasshoppers legend, who spent his entire career in Switzerland (1977-1994)?

Answer: Heinz Hermann

Hermann became four times league champion in the Swiss league with Grasshopper Club Z�rich. In 1985 he changed to Neuch�tel Xamax, and he later played for Servette FC and FC Aarau. Between 1984 and 1988 he won the Player of The Year award five years in a row.

9. This player captained West Germany to victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He was awarded the Ballon d'or. He retired in 2000 as the most capped German football player, described by Diego Maradona as, "He is the best rival I've ever had. I guess that's enough to define him", in his book "Yo soy el Diego" (I am the Diego)?

Answer: Lothar Matthaus

Matthaus set a new record when he played in five FIFA World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998), more than any other outfield player in men's football.
This record was equalled in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, by Mexico's Rafael M�rquez.

He won UEFA Euro 1980, and played in the 1984, 1988 and 2000 UEFA European Championships. In 1999, aged 38, Matth�us was voted German Footballer of the Year for second time. Matth�us retired in 2000 as the most capped German player of all time, retiring with a total of 150 appearances. A little known fact is that Matthaus managed the National football team of Bulgaria in 2010.

10. This player was the first to make 100 appearance for the Belgian football team. Who is this former Ajax defender who, in 2020, transferred from Tottenham Hotspur to SL Benfica in Portugal?

Answer: Jan Vertonghen

Vertonghen began his senior career at Ajax in 2006, serving as their captain from 2011 to 2012. He was named Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2012.

Vertonghen transferred to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012, and made the PFA Team of the Year in his first Premier League season. He made 315 appearances for Spurs over eight years, and won their player of the year award in 2018. In 2018, eleven years after his international debut, against the same opposition (Portugal), Vertonghen won his 100th cap - the first in Belgian history.

Source: Author GunnerVd

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Hey guys. Welcome to my newest quiz. This time I will test your knowledge on the top appearance makers in the world of football.

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