In the sport of football, where trophies are the supreme symbol of achievement, players are regarded as gods, and clubs are idolized by millions of fans. Trophies are the result of skill, strategy, hard effort, and perhaps a little bit of luck. But who is the best in this magnificent sport in terms of raw numbers? Let’s look at the players and teams that have won the most awards in football history.
Most Trophies won by Al Ahly SC as a Club
With its incredible trophy record, Cairo-based Al Ahly SC, the largest club in Egypt, is a standout choice. Al Ahly, known as “The Club of the Century” in African football, holds the record for the most trophies won by any club worldwide with over 120 official victories. Among them are:
43 championships in the Egyptian Premier League
Egypt Cup: 38 victories
11 titles in the Egyptian Super Cup
CAF Champions League: Eleven championships
CAF Super Cup: Eight victories
Due to their unmatched supremacy in both local and African football events, Al Ahly is a formidable force not just in Egypt but also globally.
Most Trophies by Player:
- Vitor Baia (34 trophies)
This Portuguese superstar played with Porto for the majority of his career, except for two years. Baia added further titles to his collection of accomplishments when playing for Barcelona, the Catalan powerhouse, and he won 25 trophies with the Dragons. Together with FC Porto, he took home the 2004 UEFA Champions League championship.
- Sergio Busquets (35 Trophies)
Sergio Busquets, the legendary player for Barcelona and Spain, won up to 35 trophies during his career. Buquests, who is recognized as one of the best defensive midfielders of all time, was the driving force behind Barcelona’s and Spain’s achievements in his day. With FC Barcelona, Busquets won three FIFA Club World Cups, nine La Liga crowns, seven Spanish Cups and Spanish Super Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, and three Spanish Cups.
Moreover, two of the high points of his international career were winning the UEFA Euro Cup in 2021 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010. The Leagues Cup 2023 with Inter Miami CF is his most recent trophy.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (35 trophies
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently regarded as one of the best football players of all time, currently owns 35 trophies in his trophy room. The Portuguese icon assisted Al-Nassr FC in winning the United Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023, earning him his most recent championship with the team. Ronaldo won all of these accolades while playing for Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr FC. However, despite his new role at Manchester United, the legendary player from Portugal has not yet taken home a trophy.
Moreover, two of the high points of his international career were winning the UEFA Euro Cup in 2021 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010. The Leagues Cup 2023 with Inter Miami CF is his most recent trophy.
- Kenny Dalglish (35 trophies)
Considered one of Liverpool’s greatest legends, Sir Kenny Dalglish has an incredible 35 major titles to his name during his illustrious career. He won six championships in the first division, one FA Cup, four League Cups, three European Cups, and one UEFA Super Cup. In addition, he received many additional awards during his career as a football player.
- Ryan Giggs (36 trophies)
One of the finest legends Manchester United has ever generated is Ryan Giggs. Despite being a legendary player in the Premier League, he was not inducted into the Hall of Fame. Giggs won two UEFA Champions League trophies, numerous cups, and a record 13 Premier League crowns during his 24-year tenure at Manchester United. He moves up to the top 6 on the list with the aid of 36 awards in total.
- Gerard Pique (37 trophies)
At number eight on this list is one of Barcelona’s most reliable players ever. He did, however, play a vital part in Manchester United at the defense in English conditions. Pique started his trophy collection with Manchester United, where he took home four trophies before moving to Barcelona, where he had even greater success. Pique finished his career with 37 trophies before hanging up the trophies. Pique enjoyed great success when Spain went on to win the UEFA Euro in 2012 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
4 . Maxwell (37 trophies)
Maxwell began his 17-year career with Cruzeiro in 2000 and has won an incredible 37 championships. He went on to win 37 trophies while playing for illustrious teams like Ajax, Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain. Three Serie A titles, four Ligue 1 titles, and two La Liga crowns are among his most notable accomplishments.
- Andres Iniesta (39 trophies)
The renowned midfielder, who has 39 championships, is ranked third. The legendary midfielder for Barcelona and Spain was a true theatrical talent. Additionally, he scored Spain’s game-winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, handing the Reds their first World Cup victory. He went on to lead the invincible Spanish team to victory in the 2008 and 2012 Euros. He won nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Barcelona, guaranteeing his place in the top half of this amazing list. He won two trophies in the Japanese football league with Vissel Kobe after leaving Barcelona.
- Dani Alves (44 trophies)
In eight years, Dani Alves won 23 major awards, notably six La Liga championships and three Champions League wins, before leaving Barcelona. After that, he won up to 19 more significant trophies at Sao Paulo, PSG, and Juventus, including one Serie A championship and two Ligue 1 titles. Alves and Brazil also won two Confederations Cups and the Copa America. In his brief return to Barcelona, Alves has failed to bring home a prize. With 44 trophies to his credit, the Brazilian icon holds the top spot on the list of all-time trophy winners in football history.
Lionel Messi (45 trophies)
The football player with the most trophies in history is Leo Messi. With his most recent victory at the Copa America 2024, the Argentine magician took home his 45th career title. In just three years, he and Argentina won four consecutive international trophies: the Copa America 2021, the Finalissima 2022, the FIFA World Cup 2022, and the Copa America 2024.
Messi left Barcelona to play for PSG in the French League following his fantastic time there. He won the French League with them, but he was unable to deliver the UCL to the dominant French team. He also won the French Super Cup with PSG in the 2022–2023 season.
Top National Team Trophies: Brazil
Brazil is the national team with the most trophies won at the international level. The Seleção has taken home 58 major trophies in all, which include:
FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002): Five titles
Copa América: nine medals
Confederations Cup: 4 championships
Brazil has produced some of the finest athletes the world has ever seen, including Pelé, Zico, Romário, Ronaldo, and, more recently, Neymar and Vinícius Júnior. This legacy is the foundation of Brazil’s success.
Most Trophies by a European Club: Real Madrid
In Europe, Real Madrid stands tall with a trophy cabinet that is the envy of many. The Spanish giants have won:
La Liga: 35 titles
UEFA Champions League: 14 titles (a record)
Copa del Rey: 20 titles
FIFA Club World Cup: 5 titles
Real Madrid’s dominance in European football, especially in the UEFA Champions League, is a significant part of its legacy as one of the most successful clubs in the world.
Summary
In football, trophies represent more than simply silverware; they are emblems of brilliance, commitment, and a winning mindset. From Dani Alves’ amazing individual haul to Al Ahly’s supremacy in Africa, the chase of trophies is what motivates competition at its core in sports. The records will surely be questioned as new players, managers, and teams continue to emerge, but these champions’ legacy will live on in the annals of football history. The chase for trophies is what makes football the beautiful game that it is today, regardless of whether you’re a player or a fan of a team.