As you might expect, there’s fierce competition when it comes to determining the football player with the most trophies. Players from all over the world have consistently shone on football’s biggest stages, from the World Cup to the Champions League and various domestic leagues. Below are the 10 players with the most trophies in football history, compiled by bestsoccertips.com.
Top 10 Players with the Most Trophies in Football
10. Kenny Dalglish (35 trophies)
Kenny Dalglish made history as the manager of Blackburn Rovers in the 1994/95 season, helping them secure their first Premier League title in a decade dominated by the powerhouse Manchester United led by Sir Alex Ferguson, with names like Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, and Ryan Giggs (more on him shortly).
However, it’s Dalglish’s playing career that made him a familiar name, with an impressive list of honors garnered during his time at Celtic and Liverpool. In total, Dalglish won 35 trophies, including 6 top-flight league titles, 1 FA Cup, and notably, 3 European Cups in 1977-78, 1980-81, and 1983-84.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo (35 trophies)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s evolution as a player since his debut for Sporting CP Lisbon in 2002 has been remarkable. After rising to prominence as a skillful winger in Portugal, CR7 moved to United and significantly evolved his game, becoming a star player in Fergie’s highly successful team in the mid to late 2000s. However, it was at Real Madrid where Ronaldo transformed into a goal-scoring machine, a prolific central forward with exceptional finishing skills.
He has become one of the greatest players of all time and in the process has won 35 notable trophies (tied with Dalglish), including domestic honors with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, a European Championship with Portugal, and three consecutive Champions League titles with Madrid.
8. Ryan Giggs (36 trophies)
Ryan Giggs electrified Manchester United throughout the 1990s and 2000s, becoming a cornerstone player in the Premier League and renowned for his precise passes and searching crosses (he is the eighth-highest assist provider in football history).
His time with the Red Devils coincided with the club’s most successful period; Giggs won a record 13 Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues, numerous FA Cups, and League Cups. The fact that his national team, Wales, didn’t even qualify for major tournaments during this time (let alone win them) makes his inclusion in this list even more impressive.
7. Sergio Busquets (36 trophies)
During the summer, Sergio Busquets took time to play exceptionally for La Liga giants Barcelona, alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in the twilight of his career. He departed from Spain’s top flight after becoming one of its most successful players; in 15 years as a mainstay at Barcelona, Busquets amassed a total of 36 trophies.
This notable achievement includes La Liga titles, Copa Del Reys, and three Champions League triumphs. Importantly, Busquets also enjoyed considerable success with the Spanish national team, playing a vital role in both the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship victories.
6. Gerard Pique (37 trophies)
As Busquets orchestrates the flow of play from midfield, he finds reassurance in the steadfast presence of Gerard Pique guarding the defensive lines, a role Pique has executed with unwavering reliability. Standing tall as a center-back, Pique’s contributions extend far beyond mere defensive duties, shaping the outcome of matches with his tactical astuteness and commanding presence. His remarkable career boasts an impressive tally of 37 trophies, a testament to his enduring excellence on the pitch.
Among his glittering collection are 8 La Liga titles, signifying his instrumental role in Barcelona’s dominance domestically. Pique’s influence transcends borders, as evidenced by his conquest of 4 UEFA Champions League trophies, validating his prowess on the grandest stage of European club football. Moreover, his achievements extend to the international arena, where he played an integral part in Spain’s triumph at the FIFA World Cup, adding a prestigious global accolade to his resume.
5. Andres Iniesta (37 trophies)
You might be noticing a theme here – this list comprises Barcelona players from the 2000s and 2010s, and it’s no surprise when you think about it; the teams managed by Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and to a lesser extent Ernesto Valverde were hugely successful during this period, playing a significant role in the development of possession-based football and the philosophy of tiki-taka.
And the midfield linchpin of Barcelona from 2002 to 2018, with a total of 674 appearances, was Andres Iniesta. A magnificent passer with exceptional dribbling ability, unstoppable creativity, and a knack for exquisite moments (highlighted by his invention of the La Croqueta skill), Iniesta was the heartbeat of many great Barcelona teams, and his remarkably impressive trophy haul of 37 is testament to that.
4. Maxwell (37 trophies)
Next up is a player who may not have the same stature on the European stage as Pique or Iniesta, but has certainly amassed as many trophies as them, many of which came with Barcelona.
Maxwell joined the Catalan club in 2008 and went on to claim numerous titles at other clubs; After moving to Europe from his native Brazil in 2001, he played a crucial role in securing two Eredivisie titles with Ajax before joining Inter and winning Serie A three times.
Subsequently, he had a stellar season in La Liga before moving to France and clinching 4 Ligue 1 titles with PSG. It’s an extremely impressive figure with 37 trophies that often gets overlooked when compared to figures like Iniesta or Messi.
3. Hossam Ashour (39 cups)
Perhaps the least familiar name on this list to European football fans is the legendary Egyptian defensive midfielder Hossam Ashour, whose stability and superior quality in the heart of the midfield for Egyptian giants Al-Ahly for 17 years, garnered numerous honors.
Al-Ahly’s dominance in the domestic league in recent years translates to Ashour having won a total of 13 league titles, as well as 4 Egyptian Cups and 10 Egyptian Super Cups. However, his achievements on the African continent are equally impressive, as Ashour has won 6 CAF Champions League titles and 6 CAF Super Cups, bringing his total club haul to an astounding 39 remarkable trophies.
2. Dani Alves (43 trophies)
In terms of numbers, there’s now a significant leap to the second-most decorated player in football history. In second place is the Brazilian wing-back Dani Alves, who until recently held the record for the most medals in football history.
His 43 trophies include La Liga titles with Barcelona, two UEFA Cups with Sevilla, two Copa America titles with Brazil, and numerous cups and honors with Paris PSG in the later stages of his playing career.
However, last year, tragedy struck Alves’ career, as he is currently awaiting a 15-year prison sentence after being convicted of sexual assault in August 2023.
1. Lionel Messi (44 trophies)
The most decorated player in the history of professional football is Lionel Messi, with 44 trophies as of now. The Argentine legend Lionel Messi is beloved in his homeland, his heroics in the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Copa America ensuring his name is etched alongside the great Diego Maradona.
However, victories in these tournaments with his national team have also propelled him to the top of the list when it comes to the most decorated players in football history – and back in August, a historic win in the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami propelled him to the top of the list. Lionel Messi has won a plethora of trophies, accumulating an incredible 44 remarkable trophies in his illustrious career.
Among those are 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League titles, a World Cup, a Copa America, and two Ligue 1 titles with PSG (as well as a plethora of individual awards including a record seven Ballon d’Ors). What’s notable is that on the field, there’s no sign of slowing down; could there be an MLS Cup win with Inter Miami coming up, or even another tournament victory with Argentina?
Conclude
In summary, the roster of football’s most decorated players paints a portrait of excellence and achievement. From the iconic Lionel Messi to the underrated yet prolific Hossam Ashour, each player’s journey is a testament to their dedication, talent, and enduring impact on the sport. Their numerous trophies not only symbolize their individual brilliance but also serve as a tribute to the collective success of their teams, both domestically and internationally. As we reflect on their remarkable careers, we’re reminded of the timeless allure of football and the profound influence these players have had on shaping its history.
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