Ilkay Gundogan’s Marathon: Leading the Charge with Most Minutes Played in Barcelona’s 2023/24 Campaign
As Barcelona reaches the midway point of the 2023/24 season, a notable statistic stands out among the players who have been the backbone of the team’s performance. Ilkay Gundogan, the seasoned midfielder, has proven his indispensability by featuring in every single one of the 25 games played so far – a combination of 19 La Liga and 6 Champions League encounters.
Gundogan, at the age of 34, has clocked an impressive 2047 out of 2250 possible minutes, starting in 22 occasions. Even Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the reliable goalkeeper who held the undisputed starter position last year, finds himself in sixth place on the list of players with the most playtime for the Catalans due to an unfortunate back injury.
Here is the top five in terms of minutes played for Barcelona:
- Ilkay Gundogan – 2,047 min
- Robert Lewandowski – 1,736 min
- Joao Cancelo – 1,726 min
- Alejandro Balde – 1,617 min
- Jules Kounde – 1,610 min
Beyond the remarkable feat of logging the most minutes in a Blaugrana shirt, Gundogan has contributed significantly with three goals and six assists so far this season. His enduring presence on the pitch showcases his pivotal role in Barcelona’s ongoing campaign.
