Heavy legs, full hearts: Club World Cup's most overworked arrive

Valverde has played more minutes than any other professional footballer worldwide since 15 June 2024, across official matches for both Real Madrid and Uruguay. In total, he has featured for 6,680 minutes over 72 appearances – the equivalent of playing every five days for a year.

For Madrid, he has clocked 5,538 minutes in 59 matches; with Uruguay, a further 1,142 minutes in 13 outings.

And yet, he remains ever-present. A fixture on Carlo Ancelotti's side and an indispensable part of Uruguay's midfield, Valverde continues to defy physical limits as he enters the Club World Cup with seemingly boundless energy.

He's not the only Madrid player in the top ten. Jude Bellingham, a relentless runner for both club and country, ranks eighth with 6,073 minutes. Kylian Mbappe, who only recently wrapped up international duty in the Nations League, rounds off the list with 5,988 minutes.

Brazilian clubs grapple with heavy schedules

Brazilian clubs, notorious for their congested schedules and overlapping competitions, contribute heavily to the ranking. Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio sits just behind Valverde with 6,662 minutes, all of them for his club despite recent call-ups to the Selecao.

Fabio's teammate Jhon Arias completes the top three. The Colombian international's minutes soar to 6,521 thanks to his frequent involvement with the national team.

Three more Brazilian-based players make the list: Palmeiras' Weverton (fourth with 6,441 minutes), Botafogo's Jhon (fifth, 6,359), and Flamengo's Agustin Rossi (ninth, 6,022).

Relentless Man City duo among the world's most-used

Manchester City are represented by two players in the 6,000-minute club. New arrival Tijjani Reijnders, signed from Milan, ranks sixth with 6,206 minutes, while Josko Gvardiol, another tireless performer, sits just behind him in seventh with 6,165.

If the list excluded goalkeepers – whose physical workload per match is notably lower – a few more outfield names would come into focus: Joshua Kimmich (5,936), Gerson (5,813), Willian Pacho (5,749), and Jonathan Tah (5,736) would all feature.

Modric stays ever present in the final chapter

Though not near the top in minutes, Luka Modric would dominate a ranking based on appearances alone. The Croatian midfielder has played in 73 matches over the past year – more than any other player – though his total minutes come to just 4,469.

Others to reach the 70-match threshold include Valverde and Julian Alvarez (both with 72), as well as Jhon Arias (70). Close behind are PSG duo Barcola and Fabian Ruiz (69 each), along with Dutch midfielder Reijnders (68).

The Club World Cup may be a battle for trophies – but for many of these players, it's also the final leg of an unforgiving marathon.