James Milner recently broke the Premier League record for most appearances in the competition’s history after surpassing Gareth Barry’s tally of 653 matches.
It’s a stunning achievement for a consummate professional who has dedicated his life to the sport and left a positive impression everywhere he’s been.
Milner was just 16 years and 309 days when he made his Premier League debut, way back in November 2002, for Leeds United. Twenty-four years later, now aged 40, Milner is still competing at the highest level of English football with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Milner Names His Toughest Opponent
James Milner
James Milner
The former England international has conducted an interview with Gary Lineker for The Rest is Football podcast and was asked to name the best player he’s ever faced during his long career.
With so many players to choose from, this may have been a difficult question to answer. However, the answer is crystal clear in Milner’s mind. Without hesitating, he replied:
“Against? Messi. Comfortably. Without a doubt. Different planet.”
Lineker brought up the time Lionel Messi humiliated Milner with a nutmeg during a Champions League clash between Barcelona and Manchester City at Camp Nou.
Milner commented: “When one of the greatest of all time ‘megs you, it doesn’t really bother me!”
When asked what it’s like to face Messi - the footballer widely regarded as the greatest of all time - Milner said: “He’s a nightmare. You probably know where he’s going, he wants to go on his left foot, you can’t stop him.
“He’s dribbling even faster with the ball than he does without. You have three men around him and he still knows there’s a guy over here and he slips it through to him.
“When we played against him, especially Liverpool games, we tried not to let him have his own way… ruffle his feathers, get him a bit annoyed, the odd shoulder charge here and there. You can’t let the best have it their own way or they’ll do what they want. That’s a sign of respect, for sure.
“He’s an unbelievable player - unbelievable.”
James Milner and Lionel Messi
James Milner and Lionel Messi
While Milner has earned deserved praise for his incredible longevity, Messi isn’t much younger than the Englishman (he turns 39 in June) and is still expected to be one of the star players at the upcoming 2026 World Cup finals.
Milner, on the other hand, brought the curtain down on his international career in 2016, when he was aged just 30.
"The decision we've reached is about common sense.” Milner said at the time. “I wish Sam [Allardyce], the players, staff and supporters success in the future.”
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Allardyce named one uncapped player in his squad, and they went on to represent a different country instead.
While he could have earned many more England caps, there’s every chance that Milner would not have broken the all-time Premier League appearance record had he opted to prolong his international career 10 years ago.