Bayern Munich were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw against Inter Milan in the second leg of the quarterfinals, following a 2-1 home loss in the first leg. But despite the result, the match gave Thomas Muller the chance to reach an impressive milestone, one that puts him on par with Lionel Messi.
Muller played his 163rd Champions League match, tying Messi for third place on the all-time appearances list in the prestigious European competition—an achievement that speaks volumes about the German forward’s longevity and impact on the game this century.
With Bayern Munich, Thomas has featured in every single Champions League campaign since making his debut in the 2008-09 season. That’s 17 consecutive editions of Europe’s top club tournament. In that span, he’s won the title twice—2013 and 2020—reached two additional finals, and scored 57 goals.
Lionel Messi, meanwhile, played in 19 straight Champions League seasons. Between 2004 and 2021, he starred with Barcelona, winning the title four times. He also played in the competition during his two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. Across his 163 appearances, the Argentine star scored a remarkable 129 goals.
German star Thomas Muller
Who holds the record for most Champions League appearances?
With Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller tied for third place on the all-time Champions League appearances list, only two players sit ahead of them. Second place belongs to Iker Casillas, the legendary Spanish goalkeeper who made 177 appearances with Real Madrid and Porto.
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At the very top of the list is Cristiano Ronaldo with 183 appearances. The Portuguese striker played in 19 consecutive Champions League campaigns from 2003 to 2022, spanning two stints with Manchester United, his iconic run with Real Madrid, and his time at Juventus.
During that stretch, CR7 enjoyed tremendous success in the tournament: he won one title with the Red Devils and four with the Spanish giants. On top of that, he remains the Champions League’s all-time leading scorer with 140 goals.
Can Muller surpass Messi?
Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw in Italy sealed their elimination from the UEFA Champions League with a 4-3 aggregate defeat. That means Thomas Muller won’t have the chance to surpass Lionel Messi this year. And it may be his last shot, as the forward is not expected to stay with the German side beyond this summer, following a decision by club executives.
If Muller wants to overtake Messi—and perhaps challenge Iker Casillas or Cristiano Ronaldo—for most Champions League appearances, he’ll need to join a European club that regularly qualifies for the tournament.
But that doesn’t seem likely at the moment. Rumors suggest Thomas could continue his career in Major League Soccer, with San Diego FC or FC Cincinnati mentioned as potential destinations. There’s also reported interest from South America, particularly from Inter of Brazil.
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