In today’s fast-paced world of football, staying loyal to one-club might feel old-fashioned.
But there are still soccer players who’ve stuck with their teams through thick and thin, ignoring the temptation of bigger offers from other clubs.
While others chase bigger contracts and brighter lights, these players have chosen to build their legacies at their beloved clubs. Their commitment isn’t just about playing games; it’s about embracing the culture, values, and traditions of their clubs.
These rare gems embody loyalty, consistency, and dedication, earning them legendary status among their fans.
10 One-Club Players Who Are Still Playing
In an age where transfers dominate headlines, their steadfastness serves as a reminder of the enduring power of loyalty in the beautiful game.
They’re not just players; they’re symbols of devotion, inspiring both fans and future generations of footballers alike.
Here are 10 of them.
1. Thomas Muller
- Club: Bayern Munich
- Games: 692
- Age: 34 years
It seems as though there’s a Bayern Munich coach who doesn’t fully grasp Muller’s value, even though Bavarian fans adore him.
Muller has played an incredible 692 games for the club where he started as a youngster. He’s the undisputed king among active players who’ve stuck with one-club throughout their careers.
Muller’s stats are jaw-dropping. Since the 2008/2009 season, he’s racked up an impressive 264 assists and scored 237 goals, making him the second-highest assist-maker in 21st-century football.
Muller has played 148 times in the Champions League, helping Bayern secure two titles.
In the German Cup, he’s made 65 appearances and won six trophies. Additionally, he’s clinched eight German Supercup titles, two Club World Cup trophies, two UEFA Supercup trophies, and an impressive 12 German champion titles.
2. Koke
- Club: Atletico Madrid
- Games: 617
- Age: 32 years
As we look at players who’ve played a lot more games, we find the top-tier among those loyal to a single club. This shows that sticking with one-club can lead to great success. One prime example is Koke, Atletico Madrid’s captain.
Koke has won several trophies, including two La Liga titles, two Europa League trophies, two UEFA Supercups, one Copa del Rey, and one Spanish Supercup.
He’s been a crucial player in both domestic and European competitions, with notable contributions in the Champions League and Europa League. Koke has played a whopping 439 games in La Liga, showing his dedication to Atletico Madrid.
Although his contract is set to expire in 2024, Koke’s legacy at Atletico Madrid will endure, even if he decides to move on. He’ll always be remembered as one of the top players who stayed loyal to a single club throughout his career.
3. Iker Muniain
- Club: Athletic Bilbao
- Games: 553
- Age: 33 years
Muniain is the second player from Athletic Bilbao to join the unofficial Loyalty Hall of Fame.
Surprisingly, there aren’t more Bilbao teammates in the top 10 considering their strong tradition of loyalty to the club. Muniain was once considered one of the most talented attackers in La Liga, attracting interest from big clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and the Premier League giants.
However, he chose to stay and become a legend at Athletic Bilbao instead.
Muniain serves as the club captain and is one of the rare players who are leaders both for their club and their country. His presence has been crucial in keeping Athletic Bilbao consistently competitive in La Liga.
He’s played in 43 Europa League games and five Champions League matches.
Also, he’s played 60 times in the Copa del Rey and an impressive 428 times in La Liga alone. Despite his contributions, he’s only won the Spanish Super Cup twice, which feels like a missed opportunity given his remarkable record of 75 goals and 70 assists.
4. Anthony Lopes
- Club: Olympique Lyon
- Games: 476 game
- Age : 33 years
Lopes stands out as the only player from Ligue 1 and the only goalkeeper featured in this one-club list. It’s surprising, considering goalkeepers normally have more consistent playing opportunities.
What’s even more intriguing is that he’s the only player not competing in his home country. Despite being born in France, Lopes, a 14-time capped Portuguese, came through Lyon’s youth system and has represented Portugal internationally.
The goalkeeper still has room to further solidify his standing, with a contract extending until 2025. Throughout his career at Lyon, he has maintained an impressive record, tallying 154 clean sheets across various competitions.
He’s been a consistent presence in the Champions League, Europa League, French cups, and Ligue 1, accumulating significant game time in each.
Despite his accolades, such as being named in the Champions League Squad of the Season for the 2019/2020 campaign, Lopes has yet to win a trophy with Lyon.
Nonetheless, his contributions as a goalkeeper have been invaluable to the team’s success.
5. Patrick Herrmann
- Club: Borussia Monchengladbach
- Games: 414
- Age: 33 years
Patrick Hermann stands out as one of the unsung heroes of one-club players in soccer.
Despite never winning a trophy, he has remained devoted to Borussia Monchengladbach since the 2009/2010 season. His loyalty is even more remarkable considering his consistent participation in continental competitions, including the Champions League and Europa League.
As a right-wing player, Hermann has contributed significantly to Borussia Monchengladbach’s success, tallying 56 goals and 65 assists over the years. His dedication to the club is evident in his extensive game time, with 33 appearances in the German Cup and a whopping 347 appearances in the Bundesliga.
However, with his contract set to expire in 2024, Hermann’s future at the club remains uncertain.
It’s unclear whether he will continue to be a part of the list of active one-club players in the upcoming seasons. Despite this uncertainty, Hermann’s loyalty and contributions to Borussia Monchengladbach will be remembered by fans for years to come.
6. Inaki Williams
- Club: Athletic Bilbao
- Games: 406
- Age: 29 years
The inclusion of Inaki Williams on the list of active one-club players may come as a surprise to many, not because of any lack of skill or experience on his part, but due to his frequent status as a sought-after target for major clubs.
Despite this attention, it’s no shock to see a player from Athletic Bilbao among the most loyal in the sport. What’s even more remarkable is that he’s not the only one from his club in the top 10 of this list.
Inaki has made significant contributions to Athletic Bilbao, scoring 95 goals and providing 56 assists so far in his career.
He’s appeared in 329 La Liga matches, 30 Europa League matches, 43 Copa del Rey matches, and four Supercup of Spain matches.
He has lifted the Supercup of Spain trophy twice with his teammates, showcasing his commitment and success with Athletic Bilbao.
7. Maximilian Arnold
- Club: Wolfsburg
- Games: 405
- Age: 29 years
Maximilian has been a constant subject of transfer rumours due to his exceptional performances as a midfielder for Wolfsburg.
Despite the tempting offers from other clubs, he’s stayed true to his pack like a steadfast tree refusing to be uprooted.
He’s still in his prime and is likely to climb up the ranks among the top five active one-club players in terms of games played, mainly because he’s under contract until 2026.
In his 405 games for Wolfsburg, Arnold has proved his versatility, contributing 44 goals and 49 assists. He’s on track to achieve 100 goal involvements from midfield, a remarkable feat.
Arnold has experience in various competitions, including 16 Champions League games, 20 Europa League games, and 30 German Cup games. With 334 Bundesliga appearances, he’s a seasoned veteran in German football.
His contributions haven’t gone unnoticed, as he’s helped Wolfsburg win the German Cup and the German Supercup, adding to his list of achievements beyond just the sheer number of games played.
8. Marcus Rashford
- Club: Manchester United
- Games: 387
- Age: 29 years
Rashford stands out as the biggest star and also the youngest active one-club player on this list.
His prominence is partly due to his association with a major English club that competes in multiple competitions each season, coupled with his upbringing through the club’s youth ranks.
Despite being the only one-club player representing the Premier League, he has amassed an impressive record with 128 goals and 74 assists. His versatility is evident in his participation across various competitions, including 33 Champions League games, 36 Europa League matches, and 55 English Cup matches.
However, it’s the Premier League where Rashford has truly made his mark, with 262 appearances.
Throughout his career at Manchester United, Rashford has already won several trophies, including the Europa League, FA Cup, Community Shield, and two League Cups.
However, recent disciplinary issues have raised questions about his future at the club, suggesting that his long-term commitment to Old Trafford may not be guaranteed.
9. Christian Gunter
- Club: Freiburg
- Games: 383
- Age: 30 years
The left-back is not only the club captain but also a legendary figure with an impressive tally under his belt.
Despite having played a season in non-elite football, his steadfast loyalty to the club shines through, as he chose to stay rather than seek opportunities elsewhere. With eight appearances for the German national team, he’s likely to climb higher on this list in the coming years.
Gunter’s contributions to Freiburg’s success are evident in his record of 11 goals and 51 assists.
His commitment extends across various competitions, including 32 cup games, 15 Europa League matches, 32 matches in the 2nd Bundesliga, and an impressive 305 appearances in Germany’s top division.
His dedication and loyalty make him a revered figure among Freiburg fans.
10. Domenico Berardi
- Club: Sassuolo
- Games: 369
- Age: 29 years
Rounding up the list, Berardi stands out as the lone representative from Serie A among the active one-club players.
Despite Italian football being known for its fluid transfer market, Berardi has remained steadfastly loyal to Sassuolo throughout his career, with only a brief stint in Serie B.
Despite fewer opportunities in continental competitions, Berardi has solidified his position as one of Italy’s top players.
Berardi has already left a significant mark, featuring in 313 Serie A matches.
He’s demonstrated his scoring ability with 122 goals and contributed 83 assists. Berardi’s unwavering commitment and consistency at Sassuolo make him an invaluable asset to the club and rightfully earn him a place among the esteemed ranks of one-club players.
Other One-club Footballers That Are Still Playing
- Igor Akinfeev – 755 games
- Robin Le Normand – 209 games
- Davide Calabria – 200 games
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