James Milner Matches Gareth Barry’s Premier League Appearance Record
James Milner has matched Gareth Barry’s long-standing Premier League appearance record. This milestone occurred during a match where Milner substituted in for Brighton & Hove Albion against Aston Villa on February 11, 2026. With this substitution, Milner achieved his 653rd appearance in the league.
Milner’s Journey in the Premier League
The versatile 40-year-old midfielder stepped in after just 22 minutes, replacing Carlos Baleba. Having played for six clubs over his career, Milner’s journey began with his debut at Leeds United at the age of 16 in 2002. He has since represented:
- Leeds United
- Newcastle United
- Aston Villa
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Brighton & Hove Albion
Upcoming Milestones
With 12 matches left in the current season, Milner is poised to surpass Barry’s record soon. His continuous form suggests that retirement is not on the horizon yet. As Milner approaches this significant career milestone, his experience remains invaluable to his team.
All-Time Premier League Appearance Leaders
In addition to Milner and Barry leading the chart, the all-time appearance leaders in the Premier League include:
| Rank | Player | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gareth Barry | 653 |
| 1 | James Milner | 653 |
| 3 | Ryan Giggs | 632 |
| 4 | Frank Lampard | 609 |
| 5 | David James | 572 |
| 6 | Mark Schwarzer | 544 |
| 7 | Gary Speed | 535 |
| 8 | Emile Heskey | 516 |
| 9 | Jamie Carragher | 508 |
| 10 | Phil Neville | 505 |
The record not only highlights Milner’s longevity in the game but also his resilience and adaptability across various teams and playing styles in the Premier League.
