Winning trophies is the ultimate measure of success in football. While individual brilliance earns admiration, silverware cements a player’s legacy. Over the years, a select few have built careers defined by consistent triumphs at the highest level, amassing unprecedented collections of titles.
On October 2, 2024, Lionel Messi further solidified his record as the most decorated footballer in history by securing his 46th major trophy, winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield with Inter Miami. With the MLS Cup final in December and a potential FIFA Club World Cup appearance, Messi could extend this tally even further.
Yet, while the Argentine sits alone at the top, he is not the only player to have assembled an extraordinary trophy collection. Here are the 10 most decorated footballers of all time.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo (34 Trophies)
A footballing icon, Cristiano Ronaldo has collected 34 major trophies across a career spanning Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr.
Ronaldo’s greatest success came at Real Madrid, where he won four Champions League titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), becoming the competition’s all-time top scorer. He also won three Premier League titles with Manchester United, two Serie A titles with Juventus, and two La Liga titles with Real Madrid.
At international level, Ronaldo captained Portugal to their first-ever major trophies—UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League—solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s greatest players.
10. Kenny Dalglish (34 Trophies)
A legend across Celtic and Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish remains one of the most celebrated figures in British football. His 34 major trophies make him the 10th most decorated player in history.
Dalglish won four Scottish league titles with Celtic in the early 1970s before moving to Liverpool, where he became a symbol of their dominance. With the Reds, he won six English league titles and was instrumental in three European Cup triumphs (1978, 1981, 1984), famously scoring the winning goal in the 1978 final against Club Brugge.
Beyond his playing career, Dalglish transitioned into a successful player-manager, guiding Liverpool to three more league titles and two FA Cups in the late 1980s.
9. Ángel Di María (35 Trophies)
One of football’s great big-game players, Ángel Di María has been a serial winner across multiple leagues and a key figure in Argentina’s recent international success.
The Argentine winger has won league titles in four different countries—Portugal (Benfica), Spain (Real Madrid), France (PSG), and Italy (Juventus). His most defining club moment came in 2014, when he was named Man of the Match in the Champions League final, inspiring Real Madrid to La Décima.
Di María has also delivered in crucial moments for Argentina, scoring in four major finals, including the 2021 Copa América final against Brazil, the 2022 Finalissima against Italy, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, where his goal helped Argentina secure their third world title.
8. Ryan Giggs (35 Trophies)
A Manchester United icon, Ryan Giggs holds the record for the most Premier League titles won by a single player (13), cementing his place as one of football’s most decorated figures.
Giggs, a product of United’s famed Class of ’92, played a key role in two Champions League triumphs (1999, 2008), with his assist to Teddy Sheringham in the 1999 final proving decisive. His adaptability was key to his longevity, transitioning from a flying winger in the 1990s to an intelligent playmaker in his later years.
He remains United’s all-time appearance holder (963 games), with a career spanning 24 years.
7. Maxwell (36 Trophies)
One of football’s most understated winners, Maxwell quietly assembled a staggering 36-trophy haul across four different leagues.
A versatile left-back, he won league titles in Brazil (Cruzeiro), Netherlands (Ajax), Italy (Inter Milan), Spain (Barcelona), and France (PSG). While never a superstar, Maxwell was a reliable presence in elite teams, helping Barcelona win the 2010–11 Champions League and playing a key role in PSG’s dominance in France.
6. Sergio Busquets (36 Trophies)
A master of control and positioning, Sergio Busquets was the heartbeat of both Barcelona and Spain’s golden era.
Busquets’ nine La Liga titles and three Champions League triumphs with Barcelona were central to the club’s dominance under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. His intelligence in breaking up play and dictating tempo allowed stars like Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi to shine.
On the international stage, Busquets was vital in Spain’s 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship victories, helping define one of the most dominant national teams in football history.
5. Hossam Ashour (37 Trophies)
The most decorated African footballer, Hossam Ashour, built a legendary career with Al Ahly, winning a record 37 major trophies.
A one-club man, Ashour helped Al Ahly dominate Egyptian and African football, winning 13 Egyptian league titles and six CAF Champions Leagues over 16 years. His leadership and consistency cemented Al Ahly’s reputation as Africa’s most successful club.
4. Gerard Piqué (37 Trophies)
A key figure in Barcelona’s golden generation, Gerard Piqué is the most decorated defender in football history, with 37 major trophies.
Piqué won nine La Liga titles and four Champions League titles, forming a legendary partnership with Carles Puyol and later excelling alongside Samuel Umtiti. His aerial ability and composure in possession were crucial to Barcelona’s tiki-taka system.
At international level, Piqué played an integral role in Spain’s 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 triumphs. He also briefly played for Manchester United, winning the Premier League (2007–08) and Champions League (2008) before returning to Barcelona.
3. Andrés Iniesta (38 Trophies)
A genius on the ball, Andrés Iniesta is Europe’s most decorated footballer, with 38 major trophies.
Iniesta’s vision, dribbling, and passing dictated Barcelona’s dominance, guiding them to nine La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. His dramatic last-minute goal against Chelsea in the 2009 semi-final remains one of football’s most iconic moments.
On the international stage, he scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, securing Spain’s first-ever world title. He was also named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2012, leading Spain to an unprecedented third consecutive major international trophy.
2. Dani Alves (41 Trophies)
The most successful right-back in history, Dani Alves won 41 major trophies, thriving at Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus, PSG, and São Paulo.
Renowned for his attacking play, Alves won six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies with Barcelona, forming a devastating partnership with Lionel Messi on the right flank. He also won Serie A with Juventus and two Ligue 1 titles with PSG.
Internationally, Alves won two Copa Américas, the Confederations Cup, and an Olympic gold medal with Brazil.
1. Lionel Messi (46 Trophies)
The most decorated player in football history, Lionel Messi has amassed an unprecedented 46 major trophies with Barcelona, PSG, Argentina, and Inter Miami.
Messi dominated Spanish football, winning 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies, and eight Spanish Super Cups. He was instrumental in two treble-winning seasons (2009, 2015), redefining football with his dribbling, finishing, and playmaking.
His most cherished triumph came in 2022, when he led Argentina to World Cup glory, scoring twice in the final against France and winning the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player.
With Inter Miami, Messi continues to break records, and his legacy remains nothing short of legendary.
