Despite the absence of a major men’s international tournament, footballers in Europe’s top five leagues were highly active in 2023.
Over 50 players logged more than 4,500 minutes, equivalent to 50 full 90-minute matches, and a select few surpassed the 5,000-minute mark. Yet, one player distinguished himself for unparalleled consistency and endurance: Bruno Fernandes, the 29-year-old midfielder for Manchester United and Portugal.
In the realm of Europe’s elite, Fernandes stands out as the sole player to participate in over 70 games in 2023 and accumulate more than 6,000 minutes of play within that calendar year. As captain of Manchester United, he contributed to various competitions, including the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. Internationally, Fernandes was a constant presence for Portugal during their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
This analysis focuses on the top 10 players in Europe’s premier leagues (Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1) who played the most minutes in 2023 for both club (excluding friendlies) and country (senior international games, including friendlies) combined.
Among the top 10, six are from the Premier League, with three Manchester City players included, reflecting the team’s triumphant treble last season. Notably, there is no representation from Ligue 1 or Bundesliga in the top 10, with only Harry Kane from Bayern Munich making it into the top 25 due to extensive play with Tottenham Hotspur and England throughout the year.
While defensive players dominate the ranking based on total minutes played, a few attacking players have showcased their indispensability and resilience. Nevertheless, Bruno Fernandes, with his unwavering stamina, stands head and shoulders above his peers.
10. Éderson (Manchester City and Brazil)
Accumulating 5,175 minutes across 58 games, City seldom sees their primary goalkeeper sidelined. In the 2023 Premier League season, Éderson played the full 90 minutes in 36 out of 40 matches. Throughout 2023-24, the Brazilian international has maintained a perfect attendance, participating in 24 matches across six different competitions.
Since the beginning of 2023, Éderson also completed 90 minutes in every 2022-23 Champions League knockout game, contributing significantly to City’s European triumph. Additionally, he played every minute in 19 out of 22 league games as City secured the 2022-23 Premier League title. In the fifth round of the FA Cup, he played 45 minutes, stepping in for the injured Stefan Ortega against Bristol City, ensuring his presence in all aspects of City’s league, cup, and European treble.
9. Bryan Cristante (AS Roma and Italy):
Amassing 5,230 minutes over 65 games, Cristante has been the linchpin of AS Roma’s midfield. His steadfast presence extended through the Giallorossi’s journey to the final of the 2022-23 Europa League, playing every minute in all nine knockout games. This included two 120-minute second legs, culminating in a penalty shootout loss against Sevilla (where Cristante scored his side’s first spot kick).
In Serie A, Cristante featured in 38 games in 2023, completing every minute of all 17 league appearances for Roma this season. He also played a pivotal role for the national team, participating in nine matches, which included seven Euro 2024 qualifiers and two appearances in the semifinal and third-place playoff of the 2022-23 Nations League.
8. Francesco Acerbi (Inter Milan and Italy):
Accumulating 5,236 minutes across 62 games, the eldest on this list at 35, Acerbi had a standout 2022-23 season on loan at Inter from Lazio. Making a remarkable 49 appearances in his debut campaign, 35 of those occurred in 2023 alone. Despite his mature age, Acerbi played the full 90 minutes on 34 occasions for both club and country in the calendar year. This included six appearances for the Italian national team.
As a seasoned center-back, Acerbi didn’t miss a single minute of Inter’s 2022-23 Champions League knockout phase, including the final against Manchester City. His commitment led to a permanent deal with Inter in July 2023. In the first half of the 2023-24 season, he nearly played every minute of the 20 games he started, with only a 14-minute substitute cameo against Real Sociedad in the Champions League group stage opener as an exception.
7. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid and Uruguay):
With 5,317 minutes over 67 games, Valverde, one of two reliable Real players in the top 10, showcased his dependability. In the 2023-24 LaLiga season, he featured in all 18 games, playing the full 90 minutes in 12 of them, in addition to 19 league games from the previous season. Valverde participated in seven different competitions for club and country in 2023.
The industrious midfielder played the full 90 minutes in all six legs of Madrid’s 2022-23 Champions League knockout phase, culminating in a semifinal defeat against Manchester City. In the subsequent season, Valverde featured in all six opening group stage games as Real Madrid navigated without dropping a single point. Furthermore, he played a vital role in Uruguay’s World Cup qualification campaign, completing all six games from start to finish, contributing to their second-place standing in the CONMEBOL standings at the end of the year.
6. Rodri (Manchester City and Spain):
Accumulating 5,414 minutes over 66 games, Rodri serves as the linchpin in Pep Guardiola’s midfield. In the current season, he has already made 24 appearances across five competitions for City, featuring the full 90 minutes in 18 fixtures. Rodri has showcased his versatility by scoring five goals and providing six assists in various competitions.
The 2022-23 campaign was particularly monumental for Rodri, playing a pivotal role in City’s success in the Champions League knockout phase. He played the full 90 minutes in six out of seven matches, scoring against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals and securing City’s first European Cup title with the only goal in the final against Inter Milan, completing the treble.
The 27-year-old also contributed significantly to Spain, playing nine times in 2023. His efforts helped Spain emerge victorious in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League in June, with Rodri scoring in the penalty shootout during the final after 120 goalless minutes against Croatia.
5. Nemanja Gudelj (Sevilla and Serbia):
Accumulating 5,420 minutes across 64 games, Gudelj has been a key figure for Sevilla in various competitions in 2023. Participating in LaLiga, Copa del Rey, Europa League, Champions League, and the UEFA Super Cup, he also played in eight of Serbia’s 10 Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Typically deployed as a center-back or defensive midfielder, the Serbian stalwart showcased his commitment by playing in all but five of Sevilla’s 41 LaLiga fixtures in the year. He completed the full 90 minutes in 30 of these games, demonstrating his defensive prowess and durability.
4. Manuel Akanji (Manchester City and Switzerland):
Accumulating 5,434 minutes over 68 games, Akanji swiftly established himself as a crucial part of Guardiola’s defense upon joining City ahead of the 2022-23 season. Despite his relatively recent arrival, the versatile centre-back has already made 72 appearances for the Premier League champions across all competitions.
In 2023, Akanji showcased his adaptability by participating in seven different competitions for City, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Community Shield, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. Remarkably, he secured victories in five of these competitions. On the international stage, Akanji earned 10 caps for Switzerland in 2023, consistently playing the full 90 minutes in nine of his country’s Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures.
3. Declan Rice (Arsenal and England):
Amassing 5,437 minutes across 65 games, Rice made an immediate impact at Arsenal following his record £105 million transfer in the summer. The dynamic central midfielder featured in 27 appearances across four competitions at the Emirates, including every Premier League and Champions League fixture, completing the full 90 minutes in 19 of them.
In addition to his contributions at Arsenal, Rice played a pivotal role for West Ham United in the latter half of the 2022-23 campaign, featuring in 29 Premier League games as the Hammers triumphed in the 2022-23 Europa Conference League. Internationally, Rice represented England nine times in the calendar year, participating in eight Euro 2024 qualifiers. He even scored in a 2-1 win against Italy in March and played the full 90 minutes against Scotland in a friendly in September.
2. Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid and Germany):
Accumulating 5,514 minutes across 67 games, Rüdiger serves as the vital core of Real Madrid’s defensive lineup. In the current calendar year, he remarkably missed only four league fixtures for the club. Moreover, this LaLiga season saw him absent from just one game, during which he was suspended for the 5-1 victory over Valencia on Nov. 11.
A key figure in Madrid’s journey to the Champions League semifinals last season, the 30-year-old defender participated in all six group games this term, featuring for the full 90 minutes in all but the last match against Union Berlin. In that particular game, he came on for the final 19 minutes, contributing to securing his side’s 100% record. Additionally, Rüdiger played in both of Madrid’s fixtures in the Spanish Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup at the beginning of the year, as well as featuring in all five matches of their successful Copa del Rey campaign.
Despite Germany securing automatic qualification for Euro 2024 as hosts, Rüdiger actively participated in nine international friendlies throughout 2023. Remarkably, he played the full 90 minutes in each of these matches, showcasing his commitment to both club and country.
1. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United and Portugal):
Leading the rankings with a staggering 6,288 minutes played across 72 games, Fernandes stands out as a pivotal asset for both club and country, accumulating well over 6,000 minutes of first-team action in 2023.
During the latter part of the 2022-23 season, the attacking midfielder showcased his versatility in four competitions for Manchester United: the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. Participating in two domestic cup finals, he secured victory in the Carabao Cup and finished as a runner-up in the FA Cup after featuring in every game from the third round through to the Wembley showpiece. Notably, he played an extended 101-minute stint against Brighton & Hove Albion in the semifinals.
Fernandes was a consistent presence in all 22 of United’s Premier League fixtures in the second half of the 2022-23 season, completing the full 90 minutes in 20 of them. He also contributed to five of his side’s six Europa League knockout games, with his only absence being in the quarterfinal second leg against Sevilla due to suspension.
In the ongoing 2023-24 campaign, Fernandes has featured in 25 out of United’s 27 fixtures, playing the full 90 minutes in 23 of them. Notably, he participated in 18 of 19 Premier League games (missing one due to suspension) and all six of United’s Champions League group games, amassing five goals and five assists across all competitions.
On the international stage, Fernandes demonstrated equal dedication, starting all 10 games in Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. He played a total of 844 minutes, contributing six goals and seven assists as Portugal secured victories in all 10 matches in Group J. With such consistent and impactful contributions, it’s unsurprising that Fernandes is a player frequently relied upon.
To read more stories like this, click sports.