Xavi Hernández Ranks Second in Spanish UCL Appearances List
Xavi Hernández holds second place among Spanish players for the most UEFA Champions League appearances, with 151 matches played for Barcelona. The data, updated by UEFA on 30 May 2026, places him behind only Iker Casillas, who leads with 177 appearances.
Xavi's 151 appearances put him ahead of Real Madrid legends Raúl González and Sergio Ramos, who each have 142. Andrés Iniesta follows with 130, and Sergio Busquets has 129. The list covers the group stage through the final.
Only Iker Casillas, with 177 games for Real Madrid and Porto, has more. Xavi spent his entire Champions League career at Barcelona, winning the tournament four times (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015).
When including all UEFA club competitions: qualifiers, Super Cups, and earlier rounds: Xavi has 173 appearances. That ranks him third among Spanish players. Pepe Reina leads with 192, followed by Casillas on 188.
Raúl sits fourth with 161, and Ramos rounds out the top five with 152. Xavi's total reflects his longevity at Barcelona and his role in the club's most successful era.
Xavi does not appear in the top ten for Spanish goalscorers in the competition. Raúl leads with 71 goals, followed by Fernando Morientes on 33. Álvaro Morata has 29, and Cesc Fàbregas and Fernando Torres each have 20.
Xavi's game was built on passing and control, not scoring. He registered 13 Champions League goals in his career, a modest tally for a midfielder of his caliber.
These numbers cement Xavi's place among Spain's all-time Champions League performers. He is one of only three Spanish players with over 150 appearances in the competition, alongside Casillas and Raúl.
His 151 games came entirely with Barcelona, making him the club's most-capped Spanish player in UCL history. No other Barcelona midfielder has matched that figure.
UEFA published the updated list on 30 May 2026, following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. The data reflects performances from the group stage through the final, excluding qualifiers.
Xavi retired from playing in 2019 and now manages Barcelona. His Champions League record remains a benchmark for Spanish midfielders.