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/
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.
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.
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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. Cristiano Ronaldo's most recent title was the Arab Club Champions Cup, won in 2023 when Al Nassr defeated Al Hilal 2-1 in the final. The Portuguese star scored both goals, ending a two-year title drought.
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.
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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 resume.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Lionel Messi won the 2024 Copa America and became the player with the most professional titles in history, surpassing Brazilian Dani Alves. Nearly 80% of these titles (35) were celebrated with the FC Barcelona badge between 2005 and 2021.
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. In addition, the Argentine won the 2023 Leagues Cup with Inter Miami. His doubters have nothing left to say now. There’s nothing Messi hasn’t won already.
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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.
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.
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