ULSAN, South Korea Claudio Suarez became the most capped player in the world on Friday when he made his 158th appearance for Mexico against South Korea in the Confederations Cup.

Suarez, the 32-year-old Mexican skipper, moved ahead of Hossam Hassan of Egypt after equaling Hassan's tally of 157 caps in Mexico's 2-0 defeat to Australia on Wednesday.

According to FIFA's official century club list, Suarez made his international debut against Slovenia in July 1992.

FIFA Vice President and President of the African Football Confederation Issa Hiyatou presented Suarez with a special armband, Reuters reported.

He was also given a gold trophy before the start of the game which Mexico had to win to keep alive their hopes of advancing to the semifinals and retaining the Confederations Cup trophy they won in 1999.

Mexico currently has three active players who have over a century of caps.

Goalkeeper Jorge Campos has played 127 times for his country and Ramon Ramirez has 122 caps although neither player is in the squad for this tournament.