The beautiful game of football has been blessed with infinite legends to step on its pitches. A number of these legends have risen above the rest by gathering an almost unrivaled collection of titles, honors and trophies which naturally invites the question, Who Is The Most Decorated Footballer?
The honor recognizes the player with more key victories and titles across their journey, a sign that he is outstripping his rivals and revolutionizing it.
This article will focus on the illustrious career of some men who have played the biggest sport in high schools exploring all their accolades that got them to where they are and what makes them celebrated figures.
Who Is The Most Decorated Footballer: Top 10 Contenders
10. Ryan Giggs – 34 trophies
Ryan Giggs has been one of the legends in Manchester United’s history and he retired after over two decades at Old Trafford.
Giggs’ trophy collection contains 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two UEFA Champions Leagues as well other honors, which subsequently make him one of the most successful footballers in history.
Notable trophies won:
- 13 Premier League titles (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013)
- 4 FA Cups (1994, 1996, 1999, 2004)
- 2 UEFA Champions League titles (1999, 2008)
- 4 Football League Cups (1992, 2006, 2009, 2010)
- 1 FIFA Club World Cup (2008)
- 1 Intercontinental Cup (1999)
9. Cristiano Ronaldo – 35 trophies
One of the global entities in football is Cristiano Ronaldo who has won plenty of trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
He has won five UEFA Champions League titles, three Premier Leagues and two La Ligas titles plus a pile of other honors, rounded off with European Championship & Nations League success for Portugal.
Notable trophies won:
- 5 UEFA Champions League titles (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- 3 Premier League titles (2007, 2008, 2009)
- 2 La Liga titles (2012, 2017)
- 2 Serie A titles (2019, 2020)
- 1 UEFA European Championship with Portugal (2016)
- 1 UEFA Nations League title with Portugal (2019)
8. Gerard Pique – 37 trophies
Since he became a regular starter for FC Barcelona and the national team of Spain, Gerard Pique has collected quite many titles.
He won eight La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies and even a FIFA World Cup title with his nation, all testaments to how important he was to the success of whichever team that he represented.
Notable trophies won:
- 8 La Liga titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- 3 UEFA Champions League titles (2009, 2011, 2015)
- 1 FIFA World Cup title with Spain (2010)
- 1 UEFA European Championship with Spain (2012)
7. Andres Iniesta – 37 trophies
For perspective, Andres Iniesta, a midfield maestro, has the same number of titles as Pique.
Iniesta was an integral part of Barcelona’s success, having claimed nine La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues during his time at the club while also captaining Spain to their first FIFA World Cup in 2010.
Notable trophies won:
- 9 La Liga titles (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018)
- 4 UEFA Champions League titles (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015)
- 1 FIFA World Cup title with Spain (2010)
- 2 UEFA European Championships with Spain (2008, 2012)
6. Maxwell – 37 trophies
The not so flashy Maxwell has managed to win a lot of titles at places like Inter Milan, FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
With more league titles in the major European leagues than anyone else, his collection underlines just how well he can tailor-make a winning unit.
Notable trophies won:
- 4 Serie A titles with Inter Milan (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
- 3 La Liga titles with FC Barcelona (2010, 2011, 2012)
- 4 Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- 2 UEFA Champions League titles (2006, 2011)
5. Sergio Busquets – 37 trophies
Another Barcelona legend, Sergio Busquets has also matched his former teammates in their number of trophies.
Known for his defensive midfield prowess, Busquets’ trophy cabinet consists of eight La Liga titles as well as three UEFA Champions League trophies, with a 2010 FIFA World Cup victory adding to the illustrious career.
Notable trophies won:
- 8 La Liga titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- 3 UEFA Champions League titles (2009, 2011, 2015)
- 1 FIFA World Cup title with Spain (2010)
- 1 UEFA European Championship with Spain (2012)
4. Hossam Ashour – 39 trophies
One of Egypt’s Al Ahly starlets with several striking titles, Hossam Ashour.
The bulk of his collection are largely Egyptian Premier League and CAF Champions League titles, reflecting his strangle-hold over African club football.
Notable trophies won:
- 13 Egyptian Premier League titles (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- 6 CAF Champions League titles (2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
- 6 Egyptian Super Cups (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
3. Hossam Hassan – 41 trophies
Hossam Hassan, another of the Egyptian footballing greats would follow with a whopping 41 trophies.
His accolades from Al Ahly and Zamalek SC, as well as the records established on an international level only serve to strengthen his reputation as one of Africa’s all-time bests.
Notable trophies won:
- 11 Egyptian Premier League titles with Al Ahly (1985, 1986, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
- 5 CAF Champions League titles with Al Ahly (1984, 1987, 1996)
- 4 Egyptian Cups (1985, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993)
2. Dani Alves – 44 trophies
A powerful Brazilian full-back with a successful track record for the likes of Sevilla, FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
His 44 trophies include six La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League titles and two Copa America wins as well which proves his greatness on both club and international levels.
Notable trophies won:
- 6 La Liga titles with FC Barcelona (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016)
- 3 UEFA Champions League titles (2009, 2011, 2015)
- 3 UEFA Super Cups (2006, 2009, 2011)
- 2 Copa America titles with Brazil (2007, 2019)
1. Lionel Messi – 45 trophies
Lionel Messi, widely considered as the greatest footballer to have walked the earth, leads the pack with an incredible 45 trophies.
Messi won everything there is to win in FC Barcelona, clinching ten La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League crowns, and many other domestic and international silverware.
He only recently won his first major trophy with the Argentine national team, when he won the Copa America, which means that Messi is the most successful footballer in history.
Notable trophies won:b
- 10 La Liga titles (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- 7 Copa del Rey titles (2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021)
- 4 UEFA Champions League titles (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015)
- 1 Copa America with Argentina (2021)
Other Notable Mentions
Xavi Hernandez
Xavi Hernandez, widely regarded as one of the club’s greatest ever midfielders thanks to his illustrious career littered with titles. In total, Xavi has collected 33 titles throughout his career and he won eight La Liga championships and four Champions Leagues.
His vision, passing and leadership on the field have been fundamental to Barcelona’s success (including two UEFA Champions League titles) followed by Spain’s first World Cup in South Africa of 2010.
Notable trophies won:
- 8 La Liga titles (1999, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015)
- 4 UEFA Champions League titles (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015)
- 1 FIFA World Cup title with Spain (2010)
- 2 UEFA European Championships with Spain (2008, 2012)
Thierry Henry
Such an illustrious career, with 27 major trophies for a big player like Thierry Henry in both Premier League and national French team. The ex-Arsenal stopper joined the Gunners from Marseille in 2001 and was part of their “Invincibles” side.
He won the FIFA World Cup with France two years earlier, then added a UEFA European Championship to his medal collection in 2000. Technically and in terms of scoring goals, he is one of the biggest legends ever.
Notable trophies won:
- 2 Premier League titles with Arsenal (2002, 2004)
- 3 FA Cups with Arsenal (2002, 2003, 2005)
- 1 FIFA World Cup title with France (1998)
- 1 UEFA European Championship with France (2000)
- 2 La Liga titles with Barcelona (2009, 2010)
- 1 UEFA Champions League title with Barcelona (2009)
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes, a one-club man with Manchester United, has won 25 major trophies throughout his remarkable career. One of the most perfect players, Scholzes, has been track teams’ beating heart with his flawless pass play, vision, and pace regime.
Scholzes has been a key player in the Red Devils’ domestic and crown conquests, including 11 English Premier League crowns and two national premier league championships.
Notable trophies won:
- 11 Premier League titles (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013)
- 2 UEFA Champions League titles (1999, 2008)
- 3 FA Cups (1996, 1999, 2004)
- 2 FIFA Club World Cup titles (1999, 2008)
Comparison of the Achievements of the Top Contenders
A host of key highlights emerge as we chart out a selection of the top contenders in terms of trophies captured through their careers. The leader of the race to 45 Lionel Messi sits atop this list. His impressive tally includes ten La Liga honors with FC Barcelona and a Copa America win for Argentina. In contrast, Messi has been the true definition of greatness in both domestic and international terms.
Close behind is Dani Alves, whose 44 trophies showcase his versatility and success across multiple top European clubs. Alves has enjoyed victories in six La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League competitions, along with two Copa America wins with Brazil, emphasizing his all-around excellence.
Hossam Hassan, with 41 trophies, and Hossam Ashour, with 39 trophies, dominate in African football, particularly with Al Ahly. Their achievements, mainly consisting of numerous Egyptian Premier League and CAF Champions League titles, highlight their enduring impact on Egyptian club football. Their success, although regionally focused, remains highly impressive.
Sergio Busquets’ trophy-laden career includes eight La Liga titles and a FIFA World Cup win, showing his significant contributions to both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Similarly, Xavi Hernandez’s trophy count of 33, including eight La Liga titles and a World Cup win, further reinforces the dominance of Barcelona-trained midfielders.
Thierry Henry and Paul Scholes, with fewer trophies, have still left a profound impact on football. Henry’s dual career in the Premier League and La Liga, coupled with his international success with France, provides a narrative of excellence across leagues. Paul Scholes’ dedicated career at Manchester United is marked by 11 Premier League titles, underlining his vital role in one of England’s most successful football dynasties.
Conclusion
The assessment of the most decorated footballers indicates that sheer talent, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure are crucial factors contributing to a player’s trophy-haul.
Lionel Messi’s remarkable achievement of 45 trophies underscores his unparalleled skill and determination, setting a benchmark in both domestic and international arenas.
Dani Alves follows closely, showcasing his versatility and adaptability across different clubs and competitions. The recognition of players like Hossam Hassan and Hossam Ashour also highlights the importance of regional success in establishing a lasting legacy.
These athletes have not only collected silverware but have also etched their names in football history, inspiring future generations to pursue greatness with passion and dedication.
