Muniain goes level with Piru Gainza in total appearances
Muniain goes level with Piru Gainza in total appearances
The current captain makes his 496th appearance and moves level with Athletic legend Gainza in the Club’s all-time rankings
After taking part in Saturday’s clash against Valencia CF, Iker Muniain has gone level with Athletic Club legend Piru Gainza in terms of official appearances for the Lions. The match against Los Che was the current captain’s 496th appearance in the red-and-white stripes, his 381st in LaLiga. That tally also includes 50 games in the Copa del Rey, four in the Spanish Super Cup, 54 in the Europa League and seven in the Champions League.
It is a figure both reached as One-Club Men, but which Muniain who has managed to achieve in 13 seasons, unlike Gainza, who did it in 21 seasons as a Lion. It is a reflection of the captain’s importance over the last decade or so, especially given that he also suffered two serious knee injuries which kept him out for months at a time.
The forward is now very close to a position on the podium, being 11 appearances behind Markel Susaeta (507), 13 behind Andoni Iraola (510) and 17 behind Joseba Etxeberria, who occupies third place with 514 matches. It is possible no.10 could reach those figures next season.
Top Athletic Club appearance makers
1. Jose Angel Iribar (614)
2. Rojo I (541)
3. Joseba Etxeberria (514)
4. Andoni Iraola (510)
5. Markel Susaeta (507)
6. Iker Muniain (496)
7. Piru Gainza (496)