Sports Extra
Football Players With The Most Trophies [See Top 10 Of All Time]
phInter Miami’s Lionel Messi currently leads the list of football players with the most trophies.
Messi’s unparalleled distinction is a feat that has left football enthusiasts in awe.
His remarkable haul, a rare collection of major honours, includes numerous national championship wins, and victories in the Champions League.
Messi has triumphed in Copa America and the prestigious FIFA World Cup.
Messi’s recent triumph in the 2024 Copa America, which marked his 45th trophy, is a testament to his enduring success in the sport.
At 37, his career is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport, as he continues to make history with each new victory.
Whether securing a league championship, moving up to a higher division, clinching a spot in the Premier League through a play-off, winning the FA Cup, or achieving notable success in Europe, most athletes are driven to achieve something significant during their careers.
However, the reality is that for many, this dream remains unfulfilled.
Achieving success in football trophies is incredibly challenging; this is what makes the careers of the most decorated players so remarkable.
Below is the list of top 10 football players with the most trophies.
1. Players with the most trophies – Messi Has Won 45 Trophies
As mentioned in the opening part of this piece, Messi currently holds the record as the player with the most professional football trophies.
Lionel Messi is a beloved figure in Argentina; his feats during the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Copa America solidified his place in history alongside the late great Diego Maradona.
With the 2024 Copa America now on his resume, Messi remains unmatched.
Messi’s victories with his national team have propelled him to the forefront of the rankings for the most trophy-winning players in soccer history.
Also, in August, his historic win in the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami pushed him to the pinnacle of the list.
Lionel Messi has achieved nearly everything possible in his illustrious career, amassing 45 trophies.
This list includes 10 La Liga championships, 4 Champions League wins, a World Cup, a Copa America, and two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi has also won seven Ballon d’Ors ahead of his counterparts.
What’s astonishing is his relentless drive on the field; could he secure another Leagues Cup win with Inter Miami or achieve another significant victory with Argentina?
Beyond this, countless other influential and incredibly skilled footballers have significantly contributed to the sport but haven’t reached the threshold of the top 10 trophy-winning list.
2. Football Players With The Most Trophies – Dani Alves has won 43 Trophies
Moving up to the second spot, we have Brazilian defender Dani Alves, who was tied with the record for the most decorated soccer player until recently.
His impressive collection of 43 awards spans victories in La Liga with Barcelona, two UEFA Cups with Sevilla, two Copa Americas with Brazil, and numerous trophies and honours during his time with Parisian club PSG towards the end of his career.
In the past year, Alves’ career has been overshadowed by controversy.
The Brazilian is currently facing a possible 15-year prison sentence following an arrest for a sexual assault allegation in August 2023.
3. Hossam Ashour – 39 Trophies
Hossam Ashour, a name not widely recognized among European soccer enthusiasts, is a celebrated figure in Egyptian football as a defensive midfielder for Al-Ahly for 17 years.
His unwavering performance and high standards have earned him impressive awards.
Al-Ahly’s supremacy in their local league has led to Ashour’s victory in 13 league championships, along with four Egypt Cups and 10 Egypt Super Cups.
His achievements on the African stage are equally noteworthy, with Ashour securing six African Champions League titles and six African Super Cups, adding up to 39 trophies for his club. This secured him a spot in the list of players with the most trophies globally.
4. Maxwell Has Won 37 Trophies
Following that, we have a player with a different prestige level in the European league than stars like Pique or Iniesta.
Yet, he has achieved the same number of victories as them, many of which were with the Barcelona team.
Maxwell joined the Catalan club in 2008, having already earned numerous accolades with other teams.
After relocating to Europe from his native Brazil in 2001, he played a crucial role in securing two Eredivisie championships with Ajax before moving on to Inter, where he clinched Serie A titles three times.
He had an outstanding period in La Liga before moving to France and securing four Ligue 1 championships with PSG.
It’s an impressive collection of 37 trophies that might receive less attention when compared to stars like Iniesta or Messi.
5. Andres Iniesta Has Won 37 Trophies | Players with the most trophies
There’s a pattern here — this compilation of players with the most trophies is filled with Barcelona players from the 2000s and 2010s.
Andres Iniesta stood at the heart of Barca’s midfield from 2002 to 2018, with an astonishing total of 674 appearances.
A remarkable passer known for his agility, creative force, and flair for making spectacular plays (notably his creation of the La Croqueta move), Iniesta was the driving force behind several of Barcelona’s top teams, and his impressive collection of 37 trophies is a clear indication of his impact.
6. Gerard Pique Has 37 Trophies | Players with the most trophies
As Busquets organized the midfield, he received essential defensive support from Gerard Pique for Barcelona and Spain.
The imposing central defender amassed 37 awards throughout his illustrious career. This included eight La Liga championships, four Champions League titles.
Also on the list is the World Cup and a Premier League championship during his short tenure with Manchester United.
Pique will be remembered as a critical figure in the legendary Barcelona teams of the late 2000s and early 2010s.
7. Sergio Busquets Has 36 Trophies | Players with the most trophies
During the summer, Sergio Busquets ended an exceptional stint at Barcelona. He moved to Inter Miami at the peak of Lionel Messi’s career.
He departed Spain’s elite league as one of its most accomplished figures. Busquet accumulated 36 major honours during his 15 years with Barcelona’s first team.
His impressive collection of awards spans La Liga championships, the Copa del Rey, and three wins in the Champions League.
Busquets also succeeded with the Spanish national team, playing a pivotal role in securing the 2010 World Cup victory and the 2012 European Championship win.
It is unlikely that the list of players with the most trophies will be finalized in this era unless Busquets’ name is included.
8. Ryan Giggs – 36 Trophies | Players with the most trophies
Ryan Giggs made a significant impact on Manchester United throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
He was a key player in the Premier League. He was known for his precise passes and skill in delivering crosses. This contributed to his impressive record of assists (he currently ranks eighth in soccer history).
His tenure with the Red Devils was during the club’s most successful era. Giggs clinched 13 Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues, and several FA Cups.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo – 35 Trophies | Players with the most trophies
Cristiano Ronaldo’s career as a professional footballer, beginning with his debut with Sporting CP in Lisbon in 2002, is remarkable.
Ronaldo subsequently moved to the United States where he further developed his skills.
He emerged as a critical figure in the highly successful squads of the mid-late 2000s.
At Real Madrid, Ronaldo evolved into a prolific goalscorer. He was a dominant force in the centre as a striker.
He ranks second in the all-time top scorers list in La Liga, trailing only Lionel Messi.
However, he surpasses him as the top scorer in the history of the Champions League. And the all-time top scorer in the European Championships.
He has established himself as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Ronaldo has achieved an impressive feat joining the list of football players with the most trophies with 35 trophies throughout his career.
This includes national championships with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, and a European Championship with Portugal.
Also, three consecutive victories in the Champions League with Madrid. Ronaldo falls behind Messi in the list of players with the most trophies.
10. Kenny Dalglish Has Won 35 Trophies
Joining the list of players With the most trophies is Kenny Dalglish.
Kenny Dalglish made a lasting impact on history while serving as the manager of Blackburn Rovers. He was super in the 1994/95 season.
He secured the Premier League title for the first time in a decade.
This period was primarily overshadowed by the dominant reign of Sir Alex Ferguson and his formidable Manchester United team.
Yet, Dalglish’s illustrious career as a player cemented his status as a household name. He had an impressive season at Celtic and Liverpool, marked with a collection of 35 trophies.
He clinched six First Division titles and an FA Cup.
Dalglish won three European Cups in the 1977-78, 1980-81, and 1983-84 seasons.