Milner Breaks The Unbreakable: PL Stalwart Etches History; Tops All-Time List For...

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 20:42 IST

James Milner sets a Premier League record with 654 appearances for Brighton, surpassing Gareth Barry, after playing for five other clubs.

James Milner, take a bow.

The evergreen English midfielder will set a new Premier League record for appearances when he starts for Brighton against Brentford, moving past his former teammate Gareth Barry at the top of the all-time list.

Milner made his 653rd Premier League appearance on Wednesday night, coming off the bench in the 22nd minute against Aston Villa to replace the injured Carlos Baleba.

Named in the starting XI this weekend, he now stands alone on 654 — the most appearances in Premier League history.

For years, Barry’s tally felt untouchable. Now, it belongs to Milner.

There’s fitting symmetry in the milestone. Milner and Barry shared the pitch 130 times in the Premier League during spells together at Aston Villa and Manchester City. Barry retired in 2020 at 39, briefly returning last season for local amateur side Hurstpierpoint, even scoring in a 2-2 draw, while Milner has simply kept going at the elite level.

A 24-Season Marathon

Now 40, Milner is in his 24th Premier League season: the longest span in the competition’s history.

He made his debut for Leeds United in 2002 as a teenager and has since represented Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and now Brighton. Few players have covered eras quite like this.

The honours stack up, too: three Premier League titles — two with City, one with Liverpool — plus a reputation as one of the game’s consummate professionals.

Along the way, he’s made 94 league appearances for Newcastle, 147 for City and 230 for Liverpool, with significant contributions everywhere he’s played.

At Brighton this season, his role has largely been off the bench — 15 league appearances so far in 2025-26 — but his influence stretches beyond minutes. Leadership, experience, standards. Milner’s value has never been just about numbers.

Still, this number matters.

Six hundred and fifty-four games. A record that once looked unbreakable.

Now it has a new owner.

News sports football Milner Breaks The Unbreakable: PL Stalwart Etches History; Tops All-Time List For...

Read More