You’ve heard it before: availability is the best ability. Some players in Europe’s top five leagues – from the Premier League to La Liga – are plagued by injuries, while others play the majority of minutes.
Every club needs one, and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is the embodiment of a consistent supplier of game time. And since moving to Old Trafford from Sporting CP in January 2020, the Portuguese has been a constant presence.
But which club in Europe’s top five leagues has relied the most on their main goal scorer, a dependable centre-back, or a central midfielder? Since Fernandes’ aforementioned transfer in 2020, The Athletic have crunched the figures to figure out.
Footballers with the most minutes played in Europe’s top five leagues since 2020: 10-6.
Although the next five players did not make the top five, their stats show that they are more than trustworthy when it comes to avoiding the treatment table queue. Jules Kounde, Barcelona’s versatile defender, has played 19,849 minutes.
Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma and Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, who previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, have played 19,865 and 20,045 minutes, respectively. The latter, particularly through his goals, has played a significant role in his team’s domestic success.
Ederson, widely regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the world, has been a key component of Pep Guardiola’s success in Manchester, playing 20,047 minutes since 2020. Antonio Rudiger has played 20,076 minutes for Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Footballers With The Most Minutes Played Across Europe’s Top 5 Leagues Since 2020—10-6
Rank
Player
Current Club
Minutes
10.
Jules Kounde
Barcelona
19,849
9.
Gialuca Mancini
AS Roma
19,865
8.
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
20,045
7.
Ederson
Manchester City
20,047
6.
Antonio Rudiger
Real Madrid
20,076
5Mohamed Salah, Liverpool
Minutes played since 2020/21: 20,108
You may argue that Mohamed Salah is one of the best Premier League players ever. The Egyptian right-winger, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, is the club’s leading striker and has shattered other records in his wake, thanks in large part to his outstanding availability.
Salah has played a total of 20,108 minutes for Liverpool since 2020. During that time, he won the Champions League once and was crowned Premier League champion twice. At the moment, he shows no signs of slowing down and might become the Premier League’s all-time leading goal scorer.
4Declan Rice, Arsenal
Minutes played since 2020/21: 20,149
Declan Rice’s career has been remarkable, from captain of West Ham United to one of the best performers in the English Premier League – and the fact that he has recently played so much football makes sense. In terms of his time in north London, he’s an important cog in Mikel Arteta’s system, and without him, they look like a shell of themselves.
The English midfielder’s status as a virtual ever-present, having accumulated 20,149 minutes since 2000, is no surprise given that his presence in the engine room has been the cornerstone of an Arsenal side pushing for trophies – and fans can only expect that number to climb in the coming seasons.
3Jan Oblak, Atletico Madrid
Minutes played since 2020/21: 21,273
He’s one of La Liga’s most expensive players for a reason, right? Jan Oblak has been with Atletico Madrid since joining from Portuguese side Benfica in 2014, and his role as their first-choice goalkeeper has seldom been in dispute, as indicated by his minutes total over the last five years or so.
The 32-year-old’s credible career for Los Colchoneros has included one La Liga trophy and a couple close calls in the Champions League final – but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t played an important role in Diego Simeone’s side’s success. In reality, he has been Europe’s third-busiest player since 2020.
2Alex Remiro, Real Sociedad
Minutes played since 2020/21: 21,576
Alex Remiro, Real Sociedad’s primary shot-stopper, has played an incredible 21,576 minutes since 2020, making him the continent’s second-most used player at that time, all for La Real – a team he joined from Athletic team, it should be noted.
Goalkeepers are often less prone to lineup changes, and Remiro’s position on this list certainly supports that concept. A twice-capped Spain international, he hasn’t had much success at the Reale Arena (just a Copa del Rey to show for it), but it would be naive to ignore how influential he has been in goal. Especially because he seems to be constantly available.
1Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United
Minutes played since 2020/21: 22,823
Finally, let us discuss about Fernandes. What is left to say about the 30-year-old talisman? Manchester United would undoubtedly be far worse off without him – and his tally of 22,823 (north of 1,000 more than Remiro) demonstrates his incredible availability.
It’s surprising given how many players at Old Trafford get niggles here and there, but Fernandes, largely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in the Premier League, has remained injury-free. The fact that he has lately committed his future to the club is great news for everyone involved.
Footballers with the most minutes played in Europe’s top five leagues since 2020: 5-1
Rank
Player
Current Club
Minutes
5.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool
20,108
4.
Declan Rice
Arsenal
20,149
3.
Jan Oblak
Atlético Madrid
21,273
2.
Alex Remiro
Real Sociedad
21,576
1.
Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United
22,823
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