Raúl joins élite 500 club

Few players spend their entire careers with one club; fewer still are able to do so in the top flight with a major team in one of the big European leagues. Raúl González is one and on Sunday he became just the third active player to clock up 500 top-flight league appearances for his club, when he marked the milestone with a goal in Real Madrid CF's 3-0 win against RCD Mallorca. As players switch clubs across the continent during the transfer window, uefa.com salutes the top five men who have made staying put a virtue.

Paolo Maldini, 40, AC Milan
League appearances: 630

Now in his 23rd season with the club, Maldini briefly threatened to retire last year, thought better of it and is once again a mainstay in the absence of the injured Alessandro Nesta. "Maldini and Milan are one and the same," club president Adriano Galliani said. "When he retires nobody else will wear the No3 shirt again."

Ryan Giggs, 35, Manchester United FC
League appearances: 549

Hailed as "fantastic" by his manager Sir Alex Ferguson for his superb performance in central midfield in Sunday's victory against Chelsea FC, Giggs insists: "I will keep playing as long as I enjoy it, I'm fit and the manager wants me." On this evidence there is another season in United's record appearance holder yet.

Raúl González, 31, Real Madrid CF
League appearances: 500

Still full of energy and drive, Raúl has outlasted 13 coaches during his time at the Santiago Bernabéu and remains focused on one thing alone: winning. "I've given 14 years of my life to this badge and I'm still hungry," said the 31-year-old, who now has Manolo Sanchís's club record 523 league appearances in his sights. Marked his 500th match with his 212th league goal in a 3-0 win against RCD Mallorca on Sunday.

Francesco Totti, 32, AS Roma
League appearances: 405

"I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the mirror with another jersey on," Totti said when asked if he would contemplate playing for another club. The Roma talisman retired from international football in 2006 to prolong his career at the club he supported as a boy. "I will only leave Roma if they kick me out."

Paul Scholes, 34, Manchester United FC
League appearances: 402

Another of Fergie's Fledglings who, like Giggs, may be reaching the end of his career but can still roll back the years as he proved in United's UEFA Champions League final triumph last May. "If other players fancy a move and a bit of money, then good luck to them," he said. "It's always a step down after here. I'm at Manchester United and I'm from Manchester, so what more do I need?"