The most-used players in Europe during the 2024/25 season

Marathon season concludes

The 2024/25 football season proved to be one of the most demanding in recent memory. With the expanded Champions League format, plus Nations League commitments and the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup at the start of the summer, players faced an unprecedented fixture pile-up that tested squad depth across Europe's elite clubs.

Record fixture congestion

Top clubs were often playing three matches a week. With the Club World Cup staged in summer and international windows crammed with extra fixtures, recovery time was minimal. Several players surpassed 70 competitive outings, an astonishing workload by today’s standards.

GK: Mike Maignan (AC Milan/France)

The AC Milan and France goalkeeper featured in 66 matches across all competitions. Maignan's consistency between the posts proved crucial as Milan navigated Serie A, Champions League and domestic cup commitments. His international duties as France's number one added to an already packed schedule.

RB: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain/Morocco)

The attack-minded full-back made 69 appearances this season for club and country. Hakimi's relentless threat made him a constant starter for both Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco, with the former going all the way in the Champions League, Coupe de France and Club World Cup (winning the first two).

CB: Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona/Spain)

Barcelona's teenage centre-back matched Maignan's 66-game tally in his breakthrough season. The 18-year-old became a regular starter for club and country, showcasing remarkable durability for such a young defender in his first full campaign.

CB: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan/Italy)

Inter Milan's left-sided defender appeared 67 times as the Nerazzurri competed across multiple fronts. Bastoni was an indispensable part of Simone Inzaghi's tactical setup as they progressed all the way to the Champions League final.

LB: Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain/Portugal)

Mendes made 65 appearances in all competitions this year as he established himself as one of the world's most dynamic attacking full-backs. Like Hakimi, he reached three cup finals with PSG, while Portugal also triumphed in the Nations League.

CM: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid/Croatia)

Real Madrid's veteran midfielder defied his age with 73 appearances at 39 years old. Even though his role diminished and the majority of his appearances came off the bench, his experience still shone through, and the Croatia captain maintained his status as one of football's most enduring midfield maestros.

CM: Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/Uruguay)

Real Madrid's Uruguayan powerhouse topped the midfield count with 76 appearances. Valverde's box-to-box energy (and occasional forays at right-back) were indispensable for Madrid as they went deep into the Champions League and Club World Cup. His international commitments with Uruguay added to an already substantial workload throughout the campaign.

RW: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/France)

Bayern Munich's dynamic wide man made an incredible 72 appearances after his summer move from Crystal Palace. The French winger quickly adapted to German football while maintaining his international commitments, proving his worth as one of the transfer window's most astute acquisitions.

ST: Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain/France)

The versatile forward slotted seamlessly into the PSG machine following his summer move from Rennes. Doué's ability to play multiple attacking positions made him invaluable to the side's tactical flexibility throughout their domestic, European and global commitments this term.