The Longest-Serving Players In Europe's Top Leagues
13 February, 2021
With Lionel Messi potentially leaving FC Barcelona - the only senior club he has ever played for - we took a look at where in fact the Argentine ranks among the longest-serving players across Europe's top leagues. Spoiler: he is not in 1st place!
The 33-year-old joined the Spanish club's first team in 2004, and has since broken almost every Barca record that existed.
Various Blaugrana fans, and football lovers all over the world, cannot imagine Barcelona without the Argentine, however in June he might call it quits in his career with the LaLiga giants when his contract expires.
So far, Messi has spent 16 years, 11 months and seven days with the Catalans' initially team, which puts him in third place among the longest-serving players in Europe’s top 10 10 leagues, according to Transfermarkt.
Only West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble, who has spent 17 years, one month and 11 days with the Premier League side's senior team, and CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev have already been much longer at their current clubs.
The Russian shot-stopper leads the ranking after first joining CSKA 18 years, one month and 11 times ago.
Further down the most notable 10 is Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, who may possibly also leave his current side at the end of this season following the two parties seemingly reached an impasse found in contract negotiations.
The 34-year-old has been with Los Blancos since joining them from Sevilla in August 2005. As a consequence, he has spent 15 years, five weeks and 12 times at Real - you can observe the full top 10 10 by scrolling through the gallery above!
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za