Boris Becker Hails James Milner After Premier League Record Shattered

London—When James Milner walked into the away dressing room at Brentford’s GTech Stadium on Saturday evening, applause from his Brighton & Hove Albion teammates marked more than a routine post-match celebration. The 40-year-old had just completed his 654th Premier League appearance, eclipsing the long-standing record previously held by Gareth Barry and cementing his status as the competition’s most-capped player.

The milestone, reached during Brighton’s 2-1 victory, drew immediate acclaim across the sporting world. Among the first to salute Milner was three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, who replied to a club-posted video of the ovation with a succinct but emphatic message on X: “Unbelievable accomplishment.”

Becker, a well-documented Bayern Munich supporter who frequently comments on football matters, offered no further elaboration, yet the brevity of his praise underscored the magnitude of Milner’s feat.

Milner, now in his 24th top-flight campaign, has represented Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton since debuting in November 2002, when the then 16-year-old replaced Jason Wilcox during a 4-3 win at West Ham. Speaking to Sky Sports after the Brentford match, the veteran downplayed personal accolades.

“It’s passed a mark,” Milner said. “Obviously, it’s a big number and it’s not something that I’ve really concentrated on to be honest. There has been a lot of talk around it but for me, anyone who knows me, it’s all about the team and wanting to push.”

He quickly redirected credit to those around him. “It’s a good opportunity to give a nod to everyone who has helped me get there. Obviously, the family, the sacrifices they’ve made. Family, friends, people who have worked with me, physios and sports scientists—things like that. I’ve been fortunate to get there and work with a lot of good clubs and a lot of good people, and so happy to get the win today and the three points.”

Milner also reflected on the evolution of English football’s top tier since his introduction two decades ago. “The first tackle was free when I came through as a winger,” he told BBC Sport. “You were getting the ball to feet and getting launched and that was play on. You see some of the boys’ shin pads now, you wouldn’t have got away with that back then because the tackles were a bit stronger. Some things were better back then, some things are better now. I feel blessed that I have managed to play in two different eras and learn a lot.”

Listing the managers who have shaped his journey, Milner cited Terry Venables, Sir Bobby Robson, “Huzerlers,” Jürgen Klopp and Roberto De Zerbi, expressing gratitude for the breadth of tactical insight he has absorbed.

With Brighton’s season still alive and Milner’s fitness intact, the record may yet extend further. For now, the congratulations of a tennis icon serve as another reminder that longevity in the Premier League remains one of sport’s most respected achievements.