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Talent sometimes is enough to become a professional, but hard work is usually required as well. However, when it comes to success, this combination is not always enough. In soccer, like in any other team sport, winning silverware takes teamwork and, on many occasions, a bit of luck.

The hardest thing for any team or athlete, though, is to win consistently. That’s why the following soccer players, the ten most successful of all time, have a privileged position in football history. Let’s take a look at them.https://pixabay.com/es/photos/trofeo-f%c3%batbol-deporte-taza-3459988/

Top 10 Players Who Have Won the Most Trophies

Before we introduce the list, let’s point out that a player’s résumé can depend to a large degree on which teammates surround him. Out of the top 10 football players with the most trophies, six of them played for FC Barcelona in the club’s golden years, and therefore most of their titles came during their days with the Catalan club.

10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese, 34 trophies)

One of the greatest to ever play the game, Cristiano Ronaldo has brought success to every team he has been a part of. While his best days were in the Premier League with Manchester United and in LaLiga with Real Madrid—winning UEFA Champions League titles with both European giants—Ronaldo also tasted success in Italy with Juventus, winning two Serie A titles.

But Ronaldo also succeeded in his home land. Apart from winning a Portuguese Super Cup with Sporting CP, his first club before moving to England, he helped his nation win its first pieces of silverware. CR7 played a pivotal role in Portugal’s first ever European Championship at the Euro 2016 before lifting the UEFA Nations League trophy.

Club trophies:

  • 5x UEFA Champions League (1x at Man United, 4x at Real Madrid)
  • 4x FIFA Club World Cup (1x at Man United, 3x at Real Madrid)
  • 3x Premier League
  • 2x La Liga
  • 2x Serie A
  • 3x UEFA Super Cup
  • 1x FA Cup
  • 2x Copa del Rey
  • 1x Coppa Italia
  • 2x English League Cup
  • 2x Italian Super Cup
  • 2x Community Shield
  • 2x Spanish Super Cup
  • 1x Portuguese Super Cup.

International trophies:

  • 1x UEFA Euro
  • 1x UEFA Nations League.

9. Kenny Dalglish (Scottish, 34 trophies)

Widely regarded as the greatest Scottish player the English First Division has ever seen, Kenny Dalglish was an instrumental part of the Liverpool team that shone in the 80s. Apart from his successful years at Anfield, he also won titles in his country with Celtic.

Club trophies:

  • 8x English First Division
  • 3x European Cup
  • 4x Scottish League
  • 1x European Super Cup
  • 2x FA Cup
  • 4x English League Cup
  • 4x Scottish Cup
  • 1x Scottish League Cup
  • 7x Community Shield.

8. Vitor Baia (Portuguese, 35 trophies)

Vitor Baia played a pivotal role in Porto’s golden years in the 2000s, winning most of his titles with the local giants. The Portuguese goalkeeper also got to play for the storied FC Barcelona, with whom he added more accolades to his résumé.

Club trophies:

  • 10x Portuguese League
  • 1x UEFA Champions League
  • 1x LaLiga
  • 1x UEFA Cup
  • 2x Intercontinental Cup
  • 1x UEFA Super Cup
  • 5x Portuguese Cup
  • 10x Portuguese Super Cup
  • 2x Copa del Rey
  • 2x Spanish Super Cup,

7. Ryan Giggs (Welsh, 35 trophies)

An iconic member of the class of 92, Ryan Giggs will always be remembered at Manchester United. The Welsh star spent his entire professional career at Old Trafford, being part of the club’s successful years under Sir Alex Ferguson. Giggs has won every possible title with the Red Devils, including a record of 13 Premier League titles.

Club trophies:

  • 13x Premier League
  • 2x UEFA Champions League
  • 1x FIFA Club World Cup
  • 1x Intercontinental Cup
  • 1x UEFA Super Cup
  • 4x FA Cup
  • 4x English League Cup
  • 9x Community Shield.

6. Gerard Pique (Spanish, 36 trophies)

When one talks about Barcelona’s golden years under Pep Guardiola, the likes of Lionel Messi or Xavi Hernandez will probably be the first that come to mind. But we shouldn’t forget the backbone of that team, with Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol in defense. Pique is not only one of the greatest, but also the most successful Spanish defender of all time. Before he won it all with Barca, Pique had also succeeded in England with Manchester United.

Club trophies:

  • 4x UEFA Champions League (1x at Man United, 3x at Barcelona)
  • 8x LaLiga
  • 1x Premier League
  • 3x FIFA Club World Cup
  • 3x UEFA Super Cup
  • 7x Copa del Rey
  • 6x Spanish Super Cup
  • 1x English League Cup
  • 1x Community Shield

International trophies:

  • 1x FIFA World Cup
  • 1x UEFA Euro.

5. Hossam Ashour (Egyptian, 37 trophies)

Probably the less known player on the list, Hossam Ashour is a legend in Egyptian soccer. In almost two decades with Al Ahly, Ashour won every possible title with the local giants. A free agent at 36, his best days may be far behind him. But it’s been a memorable ride for Ashour as he established himself as one of the most successful players in soccer history.

Club trophies:

  • 13x Egyptian League
  • 6x CAF Champions League
  • 4x Egyptian Cup
  • 1x CAF Confederation Cup
  • 8x Egyptian Super Cup
  • 5x CAF Super Cup.

4. Andres Iniesta (Spanish, 37 trophies)

Andres Iniesta is one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen, and his trophies are a testament to that. A pivotal contributor to Barcelona and Spain’s most significant achievements, Iniesta was a true maestro of the midfield. His lack of Ballon d’Ors may be one of the greatest injustices in soccer history, but Iniesta has plenty of team accolades to show off. Even in his sunset years with Vissel Kobe in Japan, the Spanish legend continued to lift trophies.

Club trophies:

  • 4x UEFA Champions League
  • 9x LaLiga
  • 3x FIFA Club World Cup
  • 6x Copa del Rey
  • 3x UEFA Super Cup
  • 7x Spanish Super Cup
  • 1x Japanese Cup
  • 1x Japanese Super Cup.

International trophies:

  • 1x FIFA World Cup
  • 2x UEFA Euro.

3. Maxwell (Brazilian, 38 trophies)

Some players just need to be in the right place at the right time. If not, just look at Maxwell. It’s fair to say the Brazilian defender wouldn’t have such an impressive trophy cabinet if he hadn’t been at FC Barcelona or at Paris Saint-Germain during their most glorious years. 

Of course, there’s a reason why he was part of those teams. Besides, he also won titles in many other places. Maxwell tasted glory in Brazil with Cruzeiro, in the Netherlands with Ajax, and also in Italy with Inter Milan. But still, there have been greater players who didn’t get to belong to such successful teams.

Club trophies:

  • 1x UEFA Champions League
  • 2x LaLiga
  • 4x Ligue 1
  • 3x Serie A
  • 2x Eredivisie
  • 2x FIFA Club World Cup
  • 3x UEFA Super Cup
  • 1x Copa del Rey
  • 3x Coupe de France
  • 4x French League Cup
  • 1x Dutch Cup
  • 1x Brazilian Cup
  • 3x Spanish Super Cup
  • 1x Italian Super Cup
  • 3x Dutch Super Cup
  • 4x French Super Cup.

2. Lionel Messi (Argentine, 41 trophies)

A man that needs no introduction, Lionel Messi has won everywhere he went. For a long time, much of his accolades came at FC Barcelona, while he had a very difficult time with the Argentine national team. Eventually, that would change. 

Apart from succeeding in a different country by helping PSG regain the Ligue 1 title, Messi finally won an international trophy with Argentina in the 2021 Copa America. Only a year later, he tasted the ultimate glory by leading La Albiceleste to a long-awaited World Cup success. His doubters have nothing left to say now. There’s nothing Messi hasn’t won already.

Club trophies:

  • 4x UEFA Champions League
  • 10x LaLiga
  • 1x Ligue 1
  • 3x FIFA Club World Cup
  • 7x Copa del Rey
  • 3x UEFA Super Cup
  • 8x Spanish Super Cup
  • 1x French Super Cup.

International trophies:

  • 1x FIFA World Cup
  • 1x Copa America
  • 1x Finalissima
  • 1x Olympic Gold Medal.

1. Dani Alves (Brazilian, 43 trophies)

Before he stole the headlines for the wrong reasons, Dani Alves became the most successful soccer player of all time. His multiple Champions League and LaLiga titles with Barcelona may stand out in his cabinet, but the Brazilian also succeeded before and after his glorious stint with Barca.

While he helped to cement Sevilla’s legacy in the UEFA Europa League, Alves also won titles in France with PSG and in Italy with Juventus. Additionally, he succeeded outside Europe with Bahia and Sao Paulo in his homeland. The only team where the right-back didn’t win any silverware was Pumas UNAM. Alves, however, won the Copa America with Brazil twice.

Club trophies:

  • 3x UEFA Champions League
  • 3x FIFA Club World Cup
  • 6x La Liga
  • 2x Ligue 1
  • 1x Serie A
  • 2x UEFA Cup / Europa League
  • 4x UEFA Super Cup
  • 5x Copa del Rey
  • 1x Coupe de France
  • 1x Coppa Italia
  • 5x Spanish Super Cup
  • 1x French League Cup
  • 2x French Super Cup
  • 1x Copa do Nordeste
  • 1x Campeonato Paulista.

International trophies:

  • 2x Copa America
  • 1x Olympic Gold Medal
  • 2x Confederations Cup.

Interesting Facts About Big Players and Big Trophies

While these players became the most successful of all time, only a handful of them have won the most important trophy in the sport: Out of this top 10, only Messi, Iniesta, and Pique have gotten to lift the FIFA World Cup. 

Conclusions

Of course, many other legends fell just short of making the cut. Xavi Hernandez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, for instance, have both won 33 titles throughout their fantastic careers.

Get to know more about the biggest soccer players and competitions in the The Highlights App’s Blog. And catch the best moments with our highlights app. Sign up for the waitlist to be the first to know when the app is available.

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Daniel Benchimol
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