Moutinho at 135

By Ivybridge Wolf
July 4 2021

With England’s fabulous progression to the Euro 2020(1) semi-final (yes, my feet are still firmly planted to the floor!) and with a thread already following the exploits of our Wolves players at the Euro’s, I started thinking about the most prolifically internationally capped players who have played for Wolves, in particular those who have achieved over 100 caps.

Probably the most famous of them all still must be Billy Wright who represented England between 1946 and 1959 who was the first player not only in England history to reach 100 caps, but he was also the first to achieve this accolade ever in international football. He eventually amassed 105 caps, all as a Wolves player with the amazing fact, as many are likely to know, that a record 90 matches were as captain.

There are only three more to have achieved more than 100 international caps and none to come anywhere near to the total gained whilst playing for Wolves as Billy Wright.

The first, currently on 135 caps and still representing Portugal is Joao Moutinho. His last was versus Belgium in the 2^nd round Euro defeat. The 34-year-old is the second most capped Portuguese player ever, with only Ronaldo ahead of him, and his international debut came on 15^th August 2005, almost 16 years ago. Quite a career and a fine, fine player.

Next on this very short list is incredible talent of Robbie Keane who first represented Ireland as a Wolves player, making his international debut on 25^th March 1998 when just 17. He made his first half dozen or so appearances for Ireland when on our books before signing for Coventry and amazingly he went on to gain a record 146 caps for the Republic with 68 goals.

Finally, and probably most surprising in this list (and with the most caps) is Saudi Arabian forward Sami Al-Jaber. Perhaps a good Wolves trivia question, Al-Jaber, who played 4 times for Wolves in 2000 (I saw him!!) when on loan from Al-Hilal, made 156 appearances for the Saudi Arabian national side and scoring 46 times, including a goal in each of the 1994, 1998 and 2006 World cup finals – not a bad record!!

Who will be the next … I only hope I haven’t left anybody out??!!

UTW

Wolves international players at 100

Discussion started by Wolves , 04/07/2021 15:28

Wolves
04/07/2021 15:28

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:07:14:18:21:12 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
04/07/2021 15:33

If you like your international football and Wolves connections, then the official site have put together a great 4-5 minute piece, available via Wolves TV Link HERE and entitled "10 Wolves legends who played for their country".





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:07:04:15:40:01 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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