Why are player appearances in soccer called CAPS when players don't wear caps?

[AviatorTom]

Soccer is a unique sport. When players play games for their national team, they call them CAPS.

For example, Lionel Messi has 204 caps for Argentina, indicating he has played in 204 games for his country. That's the most national team appearances of any one player in history.

Soccer is not like baseball where players wear caps. In fact, wearing a cap would make it very difficult to head the ball in soccer.

So why call them CAPS?

[Micheal6918]

In the late 19th century, especially in the United Kingdom, players who represented their country were literally given a ceremonial cap (a special hat) for each international match they played. Receiving a cap was a mark of honor and recognition.

[strateguy632]

kuz they got a cap in the past.

[AI Opinion]

The term “cap” comes from old British football tradition. In the 19th century, players literally received a physical cap each time they played for the national team 🎩.

England started this to distinguish teams in early internationals, and the idea stuck. Over time, they stopped giving an actual hat for every game, but the word “cap” remained as the official term for an appearance.

[Ill_made_Knight]

I don't know, but it might be even more fun if they all wore these?

[usernameobvious]

Lol 😆

[Shiprex]

They wore then TO the game in suits as a sign of allegiance

[OlderAndWiser]

I am not a soccer aficionado but perhaps such appearances have some connection to the nation's capital.

[Cubus]

Don't ask me this. I;m not English-speaker.

In my language it's literally called "performance".

[Paige2006]

Don't know as I am not a soccer fan