Top five Premier League players with most matches played on Boxing Day

Premier League Boxing Day has witnessed many records getting broken and created. In this article, let’s look at the players with the most appearances on Boxing Day in the league.

5. Aaron Hughes: 14

Aaron Hughes, a retired professional football player from Northern Ireland, was born on November 8, 1979. He specialized in the position of defender, primarily playing in central defense. However, Hughes also demonstrated versatility by occasionally taking on roles in midfield and serving as a right or left back. His record of 455 Premier League appearances without receiving a red card places him second in the league's history, surpassed only by Ryan Giggs. He is renowned for his precise defensive skills. Furthermore, he ranks among the players with the highest number of appearances on Premier League Boxing Day.

4. Michael Carrick: 14

Michael Carrick currently holds the position of manager at Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship. He is well-known for his impressive 12-year playing career at Manchester United, where he also took on the role of captain and is considered one of the finest midfielders of his era. In addition to his primary role as a defensive midfielder, Carrick occasionally played as an emergency centre-back. Furthermore, he made 14 appearances on Boxing Day in the Premier League.

3. Ryan Giggs: 14

Ryan Giggs, co-owner of Salford City and a former player, is regarded as one of the best wingers in the history of football, as well as one of the top players of his era. He spent his entire professional career at Manchester United, where he also served as assistant manager and briefly as player-manager. Additionally, he ranks among the players with the highest number of Premier League appearances on Boxing Day, totaling 14.

2. Frank Lampard: 17

Frank Lampard, a former player and now a football coach, is in charge of Coventry City, a club competing in the EFL Championship. He is well known for holding the record for the highest number of goals scored by a midfielder in the Premier League and is regarded as one of the greatest players in Chelsea's history, as well as one of the finest midfielders of his era. Additionally, he is recognized for his significant presence in the Premier League, having made 17 appearances on Boxing Day.

1. Gareth Bary: 18

Gareth Barry continues to engage in football at the age of 43, currently serving as a midfielder for Hurstpierpoint in the Mid Sussex Football League. He holds the record for the most appearances on Premier League Boxing Day, with a total of 18, and has played 653 Premier League matches overall for clubs including Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, and West Bromwich Albion.

Cover Credits - Goal.com