7 Soccer Players that Only Played in One Team

Soccer players that only played in one team represent a single word: loyalty. Their passion for their own club and drive to win makes them remarkable. Today we’ll examine some of the best soccer players who stuck with their club!
7 Soccer Players that Only Played in One Team

Last update: 20 February, 2020

It’s very common for soccer players to move from one club to another. Nevertheless, there are some soccer players that only played in one team throughout their careers! It’s almost unbelievable given how players nowadays can change teams from one season to the next! Would you like to know the names of these loyal players? Today, we’ll cover some of them.

Who are the soccer players that only played in one team?

When we realize the number of soccer players who only played for one team, we can appreciate their remarkable loyalty and commitment. Some players have been in the same club for more than 20 years! Next, we’ll tell you who they are:

1. Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)

Maldini had the nickname of “Eternal Captain”. This player wasn’t only in one team throughout his career, but he also played the most seasons: 25 in total (1985-2009).

People remember Maldini as one of the best AC Milan players – he served as a defense – due to his technique.

Paolo Maldini is one of those players who only played in one team.

Image: US As.

On top of this, Maldini is one of the players with the most matches: an astonishing 902 games! Plus, throughout his career, he won seven Serie A, one Italian Cup, five Italian Super Cups, five European Champions Cups, five European Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, and one Club World Cup. Finally, he retired in 2009, after a lifetime of achievements.

2. Francesco Totti (AS Roma), one of the Italian soccer players that only played in one team

Totti is another faithful soccer player. He played ‘all his life’ in Rome. During his time there, Il Capitano was the third top scorer of Calcio Italiano, with 307 goals.

Initially, he began his professional career in 1993 and retired in 2017. After 24 seasons, he won an Italian League, two Italian Cups, and two Italian Super Cups. Because of it, he’s still remembered as one of the best players in the club.

Francesco Totti about to play a match for Roma.

On the other hand, Totti also participated in all the national selections of his country. Thus, throughout his career, he was part of the sub-15 team and up until the absolute national team (between 1992 and 2006). In the latter, Totti scored 28 goals in 105 games. Plus, he was champion in the 2006 World Cup in Germany!

3. Juan Carlos Plata (Municipal Social and Sports Club of Guatemala)

Even though Juan Carlos Plata isn’t very famous on an international level, he deserves to stand out. He was one of the soccer players that only played in one team and deserves a place for his loyalty. In fact, he stayed in the same club for 23 seasons!

Juan Carlos Plata, a Guatemalan soccer historian.

Image: Publinews.

His professional career began in 1988 and he played as a goalie until his retirement in 2011. During his active time, he scored 376 goals in 511 games. On the other hand, he was also part of the national team of Guatemala, between 1996 and 2010. With them, he scored 35 goals in 87 games.

4. Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), one of the soccer players that only played in one club

One of the legends of the Red Devils, Giggs was born in Wales. In 2018, he became the coach of the Welsh team.

Throughout the years, he became the most successful player in the history of Manchester. He boasts 35 titles under his belt, only surpassed by Brazilians, Maxwell and Dani Alves, although they’re in other clubs.

Ryan Giggs is one of those players who played in a single team his entire career.

Giggs has lifted many trophies in his 23 seasons at Manchester. These include 13 Premier League, four FA Cups, ten Community Shields, four England League Cups, and two Champions Leagues, as well as one European Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup, and one World Cup Club.

5. Tony Adams (Arsenal F.C.)

With 22 seasons in the same club, Tony Adams was one of the best players among the London teams. Also known as “Mr. Arsenal”, Adams began his professional career in 1984 and retired in 2002.

Tony Adams, a legend of Arsenal and soccer players who played in a single club.

Image: BeSoccer

Throughout his career, Adams won five Premier Leagues, three FA Cups and two Football League Cups; as well as four Community Shields and one European Cup Winners Cup.

6. Piru Gaínza (Athletic Bilbao)

The Spaniard, Agustín ‘Piru’ Gaínza has more seasons in the same team. In fact, he played 21 seasons! Because of it, he’s one of the most memorable members of Athletic Bilbao, playing between 1939 and 1959 in the far left position. During his career, Gaínza won the Spanish First Division twice, seven Generalissimo Cups and an Eva Duarte Cup.

Gainza is one of the players who only played in a club in Spain.

Gainza is carried on during a celebration. Image: Diario As.

Thus, Gaínza is the third top scorer in the history of the club with 152 goals. Plus, his passion for the whole club was such that when he retired he became the coach. In fact, it was the only team he directed after being an active player!

7. Lev Yashin (FC Dinamo Moscow)

Yashin is the best goalkeeper of all time. This Russian player was born in Moscow, and his nickname was “black spider”. He debuted at the Moscow Dynamo in 1949 and retired at the same club in 1971.

After all, he played 21 seasons with his team! In fact, he won three USSR Cup and five USSR first division titles. With the Soviet team, he won a gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

Lev Yashin is a historic Russian goalkeeper.

Image: Russian Football News.

It’s worth noting other players who only played in one team. All of the following played with their teams for 20 seasons. They’re the Argentine Ricardo Bochini (Independent), the Italian Franco Baresi (AC Milan), Chilean, Mario Lepe (Catholic University), Englishman, Paul Scholes (Manchester United) and Japanese, Kazuyuki Morisaki (Sanfrecce Hiroshima).


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.