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New Delhi: Former captain of the Indian men’s hockey team and star midfielder Manpreet Singh has written a new golden chapter in international hockey. He has become the male hockey player to play the most number of international matches for India. Manpreet achieved this historic feat during the FIH Pro League 2025-26 match played against Germany in Rotterdam on Wednesday, which was the 413th international match of his career.

Dilip Tirkey left behind

33-year-old Manpreet Singh has destroyed the record of the great Indian hockey defender and current Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey in this matter. Tirkey played 412 matches for India in his illustrious career.

With this match, Manpreet has reached fifth place in the all-time list of players who have played most international hockey matches in the world. Talking about world records:

1. John-John Dohmen (Belgium): 481 matches (top)
2. Tun de Nuijders (Netherlands): 453 matches
3. Eddie Ockenden (Australia): 451 matches
4. Barry Middleton (Great Britain): 432 matches
5. Manpreet Singh (India): 413 matches

Manpreet Singh is currently the only active male international hockey player in the world who has crossed the mark of playing more than 400 matches.

The journey started from 2011, witnessed Olympic medals

Manpreet Singh, who made his debut in the senior team in 2011, has been the biggest pillar of the resurgence of Indian hockey for the last one and a half decade. On the basis of his leadership and sports, India has regained its lost credibility on the global stage.

Manpreet captained the Indian team in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and won a historic bronze medal for the country. After this, he was also a key member of the Indian team that won the bronze medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Under him, India has won gold medals in the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games, Asia Cup titles in 2017 and 2025 and the Asian Champions Trophy several times.

‘The dream of World Cup and Olympic gold is still alive’

After reaching this historic milestone, an emotional Manpreet Singh (who is going to turn 34 at the end of this month) said, “It is a matter of unimaginable pride for me to play so many matches wearing the Indian jersey. I dedicate this success of mine to my teammates and Hockey India. Even though I have played 413 matches, my hunger to get on the field is still the same. My dream is to win the World Cup and Olympic gold medal for the country, and this is the dream. My family and my children inspire me to work hard every day.