At the end of a footballer’s career, they can take stock of what they achieved by counting up the trophies they were fortunate enough to win.
Some of the most legendary players in the history of the game have achieved sustained success on the field, with some later adding more accolades from the dugout. But who are the top ten players in terms of the most trophies in football history?
10. Kenny Dalglish
Total Trophies: 35
Kenny Daglish is regarded as one of Britain’s greatest players. He achieved prolonged success on the field with Celtic and Liverpool. Such was his excellence that he also won the Ballon d’Or Silver Award in 1983.
BOB PAISLEY: “After the trials & tribulations of my early years in management, I hoped someone up high would smile upon me and guide my hand. My plea was answered when we got Kenny Dalglish. What a player, and… what a professional” #LFC #YNWA #Paisley #Dalglish #Liverpool❤️ pic.twitter.com/lmBX1kslIY
— “YNWA” The Story of Liverpool FC (@LFCHistoryShow) November 11, 2024
Dalglish would win the Scottish league title on four occasions between 1971 and 1977, before moving to Liverpool. Further success would follow at Anfield, winning six titles between 1978 and 1986. After retiring from the game, Liverpool won two further titles under Dalglish before the Scot guided Blackburn to a shock Premier League title in 1994-95.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
Total Trophies: 35
Regarded as one of the world’s greatest-ever players, it is little surprise to see Cristiano Ronaldo rank among the most decorated players. Ronaldo has landed individual honours throughout his career, winning the Ballon d’Or on five occasions and the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year three times.
The forward would achieve his first domestic success in his homeland with Sporting Lisbon in the Candido de Oliveira (Portuguese Super Cup) in 2002.
Big win! 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/Yf6vPy0wje
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) November 5, 2024
However, a period of dominance would follow after moving to Man United, winning three straight Premier League titles between 2006 and 2009, as well as the Champions League in 2007-08.
Ronaldo would achieve further success after moving to Real Madrid, winning two La Liga titles and a staggering four Champions League honours. The Portuguese would secure further domestic titles in 2018-19 and 2019-20 with Juventus.CR7 currently plays in the Saudi Pro League Al Nassr and still has the chance to add more trophies to his list of achievements.
8. Ryan Giggs
Total Trophies: 36
Ryan Giggs is regarded by many as one of the greatest players of the 21st century, achieving huge success during his one-club career at Manchester United. He is one of the most decorated players in history, and one of few to have played over 1,000 professional matches.
#OTD 🗓️ 9th of November 2003:
A Ryan Giggs brace secured all 3 points for United in Anfield 👊
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United
pic.twitter.com/LNWJmz91Tp— 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙨 – aka Larry 🇾🇪 (@Cantona_Collars) November 9, 2024
Giggs won a Premier League-record 13 titles with United between 1992 and 2013, and would also win the FA Cup and League Cup on four separate occasions. The Welshman won the first of two Champions League titles in 1998-99, as well as the UEFA Super Cup (1991) and FIFA Club World Cup (2008).
7. Sergio Busquets
Total Trophies: 36
Sergio Busquets has been a pioneering player throughout his career, redefining the holding midfield role. His presence in the middle of the field helped Spain and Barcelona dominate the sport throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
👏 Sergio Busquets might be one of the most underrated players in history… pic.twitter.com/QNUGPB7lRu
— HAMZA 🦁 (@Shikisha_) November 5, 2024
The Spaniard won nine La Liga titles during his career, with the first being won in 2008-09. Busquets would also win the Copa del Rey title on seven occasions and the Champions League three times during his esteemed stay at the Nou Camp.
His influence continued at international level, winning the World Cup and EUROs in 2010 and 2012, respectively.
6. Gerard Piqué
Total Trophies: 37
Gerard Piqué was one of the most dominant defenders in world football during the 21st century, and he would achieve esteemed success throughout his career. Piqué’s first success would come as a fringe player at Manchester United, winning the Premier League and Champions League double in 2007-08 before moving back to Barcelona.
La Liga 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Champions League 🏆🏆🏆
Copa del Rey 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Spanish Super Cup 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
UEFA Super Cup 🏆🏆
FIFA Club World Cup 🏆🏆🏆Two years ago, Gerard Piqué said goodbye to the Camp Nou 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ROVojV5cUc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 5, 2024
His most sustained dominance would come in Catalonia, winning the La Liga title on nine occasions, as well as domestic honours with the Copa del Rey (7x) and Supercopa de Espana (6x). Piqué would leave Barcelona as a three-time Champions League winner, while also winning the FIFA World Cup in 2010 with Spain.
5. Maxwell
Total Trophies: 37
One of the most shocking names on the list comes in the form of Brazilian left-back Maxwell. The full-back played at the highest level throughout his career, winning 30 official titles, including at least one honour during his stays with Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona, and PSG.
🚨Il y a 12 ans, Maxwell inscrivait ce LOB EXCEPTIONNEL à Montpellier ! 🤩
Tout est PARFAIT : la finesse, la précision, la vista ❤️
— Raph Chader (@RaphChader) November 11, 2024
After winning two Eredivisie titles with Ajax, Maxwell would win three titles in as many seasons for Inter Milan. Success would follow at Barcelona, winning consecutive La Liga titles, and the Champions League in 2011. Maxwell would end his career with four straight Ligue 1 titles at PSG.
4. Hossam Ashour
Total Trophies: 39
Hossam Ashour is another shock name on the list, as the Egyptian defensive midfielder would win 39 major honours during his career. He was a formidable player for Al Ahly, playing over 500 times for the African club.
Egyptian Player, Hossam Ashour holds the record for the Most Trophies Won at a Single Football Club.
He won 39 trophies with Al Ahly from 2003-2020.
He won 6 CAF Champions League, 1 CAF Confederation Cup, 5 CAF Super Cups, 13 Egyptian PL, 4 Egypt Cups, 10 Egyptian Super Cups. pic.twitter.com/P6dBCjxYwH
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) July 17, 2021
During his career, he won 13 Egyptian Premier League titles and achieved further success with four Egypt Cup titles. Ashour’s impact would also be evident on the international stage, winning the CAF Champions League on six occasions.
3. Andrés Iniesta
Total Trophies: 39
There have been few more influential midfielders in world football in the 21st century than Andrés Iniesta. The star is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the history of the sport, and would gain huge praise during his 16-year stay at Barcelona.
Andrés Iniesta. El professor. ⚽️❤️pic.twitter.com/ttBUfDzqp7
— Curiosidades Europa (@CuriosidadesEU) November 7, 2024
The first of his nine La Liga titles was won in 2004-05, before he left the club following a final success in 2017-18. Iniesta would also play a prominent role in European success, winning the Champions League in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015. After leaving Barcelona, Iniesta gained J1 League success in 2023.
2. Dani Alves
Total Trophies: 43
Dani Alves is one of the most decorated players in the history of football, winning major honours throughout his career. As well as achieving success at club level, Alves would also win the Copa America on two occasions and the gold medal at the 2020 Olympics.
Stop that Messi x Dani Alves. pic.twitter.com/4cD7ZZf7Yf
— Stop That Football (@stopthatfooty) September 7, 2023
However, he made form an important role at club level for hugely successful teams. Alves won six La Liga titles at Barcelona, and the Champions League on three occasions. Further success would follow after a move to Italy, winning the Serie A title with Juventus in 2016-17. Alves would land further domestic success with back-to-back titles with PSG in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
1. Lionel Messi
Total Trophies: 45
There’s little surprise to see the player regarded by many as the greatest of all-time as the most decorated. Lionel Messi has won 45 major honours during his career to this point, including back-to-back Copa America titles and a 2022 World Cup success with Argentina.
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi’ career stats:
👕 1081 games
⚽️ 850 goals
🎯 378 assists
🤝 1228 goal contributionsGOAT! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/mfzu90l2Vh
— Sholy Nation Sports (@Sholynationsp) November 10, 2024
Messi would be the focal point for Barcelona’s most dominant era on the field, winning the La Liga title on ten occasions. The Argentinean would also win the Champions League on four occasions, and the Copa del Rey seven times.
Further success would follow at PSG after leaving Barcelona, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Messi’s importance continued after moving to North America, winning the Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield with Inter Miami in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
