In soccer, players are often celebrated for their skills, goals, and impact.
However, one crucial aspect that often defines a player’s legacy is the number of trophies they have won throughout their careers.
Success in soccer is often measured by the silverware collected, and there are a select few who have amassed an astonishing number of titles.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the careers of 10 soccer players with the most trophies in history, providing an in-depth look at their remarkable achievements and contributions to the sport.
- Who Has The Most Trophies In Soccer?
- 1. Lionel Messi (44 trophies)
- 2. Dani Alves (44 trophies)
- 3. Hossam Ashour (39 trophies)
- 4. Maxwell (37 trophies)
- 5. Andres Iniesta (37 trophies)
- 6. Gerard Pique (37 trophies)
- 7. Sergio Busquets (36 trophies)
- 8. Ryan Giggs (36 trophies)
- 9. Cristiano Ronaldo (35 trophies)
- 10. Kenny Dalglish (35 trophies)
Who Has The Most Trophies In Soccer?
Naturally, finding the soccer player with the most trophies is highly competitive.
Many players have excelled on big stages, from the World Cup to the Champions League and various domestic contests.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 players with the most trophies in soccer history. They’ve consistently shone in various competitions, leaving their mark on the sport’s history.
1. Lionel Messi (44 trophies)
Lionel Messi holds the record for the most trophies in professional soccer history with a remarkable 44 to his name.
In Argentina, Messi is a beloved figure, and his outstanding performances during the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America have cemented his status as a legendary player, much like the late Diego Maradona.
His success with Argentina, along with a historic Leagues Cup win with Inter Miami back in August, has catapulted him to the top of the list of players with the most trophies in soccer history.
Messi’s trophy cabinet includes ten La Liga titles, four Champions League wins, a World Cup, a Copa America, and two Ligue 1 titles with PSG. He has also collected numerous individual awards, boasting an unmatched seven Ballon d’Or trophies.
What’s truly remarkable is that Messi shows no signs of slowing down on the field. Could an MLS Cup win with Inter Miami be in his future, or even another tournament triumph with Argentina?
2. Dani Alves (44 trophies)
When we talk numbers, the top two most decorated players in soccer history have created a bit of a gap. In the second position, we find Brazilian full-back Dani Alves, who, until very recently, shared the title of being the most decorated player in soccer history.
Alves’ impressive collection includes 43 trophies, with standout achievements like La Liga triumphs with Barcelona, two UEFA Cups with Sevilla, two Copa Americas with Brazil, and a multitude of cups and titles earned during the latter stages of his career with the Parisian giants, PSG.
However, a shadow has recently been cast over Alves’ career. In the last year, he has faced a serious challenge, as he currently awaits a potential 15-year jail sentence after being indicted for a sexual assault charge in August 2023.
3. Hossam Ashour (39 trophies)
For European football fans, one name on this list might be less familiar, but within the realm of Egyptian football, he’s a legend.
Hossam Ashour, a renowned defensive midfielder, has collected an astounding number of trophies, all thanks to his unwavering consistency and quality while anchoring the midfield for Egyptian powerhouse Al-Ahly for an impressive 17 years.
Al-Ahly’s undisputed dominance in their domestic league over the years has allowed Ashour to accumulate an impressive tally of 13 league titles.
In addition to these, he boasts four Egypt Cups and 10 Egypt Super Cups.
However, it’s not just on the domestic front that Ashour has excelled.
His achievements on the African continent are equally remarkable, with an impressive six African Champions League trophies and six African Super Cups to his name, bringing his total haul at the club to an astonishing 39 trophies.
4. Maxwell (37 trophies)
Here we have a player who may not enjoy the same level of recognition in European football as figures like Pique or Iniesta, but his trophy collection tells a different story.
He has won just as many trophies as these illustrious names, with a significant portion of his success coming while donning the Barcelona jersey.
Maxwell made his entrance into the Barcelona squad in 2008, already having a remarkable list of honors earned at other clubs.
After leaping to Europe from his native Brazil in 2001, he played a major role in securing two Eredivisie titles with Ajax.
His journey continued with Inter, where he added three Serie A titles to his resume.
Subsequently, he delivered several superb seasons in La Liga, contributing to Barcelona’s success. Afterward, he headed to France and achieved an impressive tally of four Ligue 1 titles with PSG.
In total, he has amassed a formidable haul of 37 trophies, a remarkable feat that sometimes flies under the radar when compared to the likes of Iniesta or Messi.
5. Andres Iniesta (37 trophies)
There’s a distinct pattern emerging here, and it’s not surprising at all.
This list of players with the most trophies is heavily dominated by players who graced Barcelona during the 2000s and 2010s, and for good reason.
The teams managed by Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and, to a lesser extent, Ernesto Valverde, enjoyed immense success during this era, playing a major role in the evolution of possession football and the renowned tiki-taka playing philosophy.
At the very heart of Barcelona’s midfield from 2002 to 2018, with a staggering total of 674 appearances, was none other than Andres Iniesta.
Renowned for his exquisite passing, incredible movement on the pitch, unrivaled creativity, and penchant for producing moments of sheer brilliance (as evidenced by his invention of the La Croqueta skill), Iniesta stood as the driving force behind several iconic Barcelona squads.
His impressive collection of 37 trophies serves as a resounding testament to his pivotal role in the club’s success.
6. Gerard Pique (37 trophies)
As Busquets orchestrated the midfield, Gerard Pique provided steadfast protection at the back, both for Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
The towering center-back accumulated an impressive tally of 37 trophies throughout his professional career.
These included eight La Liga titles, four Champions League triumphs, a World Cup, and a Premier League title from his brief stint with Manchester United.
Pique’s legacy is secure as one of the most pivotal figures in the renowned Barcelona squads of the late 2000s and early 2010s, making an indelible mark in the club’s history.
7. Sergio Busquets (36 trophies)
Last season Sergio Busquets bid farewell to his extraordinary tenure at Catalan giant Barcelona and joined Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, marking the twilight of his career.
As he exited Spain’s top division, he did so as one of the most successful players in its history. Over 15 years as a cornerstone in Barcelona’s first team, Busquets accumulated a remarkable total of 36 trophies.
This impressive haul encompasses La Liga titles, Copa Del Reys, and three Champions League victories.
Importantly, Busquets also tasted significant success with the Spanish national team, playing a pivotal role in both the 2010 World Cup victory and the 2012 European Championship triumph.
8. Ryan Giggs (36 trophies)
Ryan Giggs left an indelible mark during his time at Manchester United in the 1990s and 2000s.
His reputation was built on precise passes and pinpoint crosses, making him the player with the eighth-highest number of assists in soccer history and one of the best players with the most trophies.
Giggs’s era at the club coincided with Manchester United’s most successful period.
He won a record 13 Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies, and numerous FA Cup and League Cup victories.
What makes his accomplishment even more remarkable is that during this time, his national team, Wales, wasn’t even able to qualify for major tournaments, let alone win them.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo (35 trophies)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey as a football player since his debut with Sporting CP in 2002 is truly remarkable.
Starting as a skilled winger in Portugal, he later moved to Manchester United, where he significantly developed his game, eventually becoming a star player in the highly successful teams managed by Sir Alex Ferguson during the mid to late 2000s.
However, it was during his tenure at Real Madrid that Ronaldo underwent a remarkable transformation.
He transitioned into a goal-scoring machine, becoming a physically dominant central forward with an unmatched ability to finish chances.
Today, he stands as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and has amassed an impressive collection of 35 trophies, a record he shares with Kenny Dalglish.
These include domestic titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, a European Championship with Portugal, and three consecutive Champions League triumphs with Real Madrid.
10. Kenny Dalglish (35 trophies)
Kenny Dalglish left a solid mark in soccer history, not only as a player but also as a manager.
His managerial feat with Blackburn Rovers in the 1994/95 season, securing the Premier League title, was a historic moment, breaking a decade-long dominance of Sir Alex Ferguson’s formidable Manchester United side, featuring legends like Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, and Ryan Giggs (more on him shortly).
He’s also one of the greatest number 7 soccer players in history.
However, Dalglish’s playing career is where he initially rose to prominence, amassing an astonishing 35 trophies during his time with Celtic and Liverpool.
This impressive collection includes six First Division titles, an FA Cup, and most notably, three European Cups in 1977-78, 1980-81, and 1983-84.
FAQs
Who has the most trophies in football?
As of Oct 2023, Lionel Messi has a total of 44 trophies, followed by Dani Alves.
Who is the most decorated player in football history?
Lionel Messi
The Argentine international has become the most decorated player in football
How many trophies has Messi won?
44 Trophies, as of Oct 2023.
Who has more trophies, Ronaldo or Messi?
Messi
They are two of the most decorated footballers ever, having won a combined 79 official trophies (Messi 44, Ronaldo 35) during their senior careers thus far, and have regularly broken the 50-goal barrier in a single season.
They are the only two players to score over 800 goals each in their careers for club and country.
Who has the most golden football history?
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has won the award a record seven times, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with five.
Three players have won the award three times each: Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten.
Who is better than Messi?
Lionel Messi.
The Argentine international is the greatest soccer player in history, his impact on the beautiful game is undeniable