Playing 100 matches for the national team is a great achievement for any footballer, and reaching that landmark during the World Cup is even more special. Some players have actually done it during the current tournament in Russia.

Jakub Blaszczykowski (Poland)

The 32-year-old became just the third Polish player in history to win his 100th cap after Michal Zewlakow and Grzegorz Lato. He did it in the Poland’s opening game against Senegal - but his team lost 1:2, and Blaszczykowski himself was substituted at half-time due to an injury. He had to miss the two next games of Poland, who were eliminated following the group stage, so despite reaching the landmark, the World Cup was unfortunate for Jakub. Actually his teammate Robert Lewandowski, who started the competition with 98 caps, also hoped to play his 100th game in Russia, but now he has to wait for some more time.


Gerard Pique (Spain)

The Barcelona defender became the 13th player in Spain’s history who reached the milestone. Pique is still far behind the record holder Iker Casillas (167 caps) or Sergio Ramos (156), but his 102 games are also impressive. The 31-year-old player, who won his 100th cap in Spain’s second group game against Iran (1:0), had previously expressed his desire to retire from international football after the World Cup, but he has not yet confirmed it following his team’s elimination in the Last 16.

Hugo Lloris (France)

The group match against Peru was the 100th for Lloris, and he did well, keeping a clean sheet as France narrowly won 1:0. At 31, Tottenham goalkeeper became the seventh French player to reach this landmark. At the moment, Hugo has 101 matches under his belt, and if Les Bleus go all the way to the final, he can overtake his current head coach Didier Deschamps, who has 103 matches. Notably Lloris has captained France in 77 games, which is by far a record: Deschamps, who is second in the list, has worn the armband 54 times.


Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Suarez and Edinson Cavani team up very well in Uruguay’s attack - and it should not surprise given their experience. The 31-year-old Cavani entered the World Cup with 101 caps, while his peer Suarez was just slightly behind with 99. So Barcelona striker earned his 100th cap in the group match against Saudi Arabia - and he marked it with a goal, sending his team into the Last 16.

Fernando Muslera (Uruguay)

Another Uruguayan became a “centurion” just a few day later than Suarez - in the last group match against Russia. Muslera enjoyed a good game, keeping a clean sheet as his team beat the hosts 3:0. Galatasaray goalkeeper, who won his debut cap in 2009, plays at his third World Cup - and just like Cavani and Suarez, he is one of the key players of the South American team.

Vedran Corluka (Croatia)

When Croatia demolished Lionel Messi’s Argentina 3:0, it was a special day for all Balkan players - and particularly for Vedran Corluka. The 32-year-old defender, who made his debut in the national team in 2006, won his 100th cap - and was presented with some special gifts. Notably Vedran reached the milestone in Russia, the country where Lokomotiv Moscow footballer has been playing his club football since 2012.


Armando Cooper (Panama)

Panama’s debut World Cup was hardly a success, as the team lost all their three matches with an aggregate 2-11 goal difference. A 1:6 defeat against England was particularly devastating for the Central American side - but it was a milestone for their midfielder Cooper. Universidad de Chile midfielder became the seventh player in the team’s history to win a hundred caps, and while he is by far the most anonymous in my seven-man list, his achievement is by no means less respectful.