Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies | OneFootball

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·1 August 2022

Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies

Article image:Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies

Lionel Messi moved a step closer to becoming the most decorated player in football history after winning the Trophée des Champions with Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

The legendary Argentine forward, who turned 35 in June, has now won two trophies with PSG after securing the Ligue 1 title last season.


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But how many trophies has Messi now won during his illustrious career – and where does he sit on the all-time list?

One thing’s for sure: it would be a shock at this point if Messi doesn’t go on to become football’s most decorated player before he retires.

The man widely regarded as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) is on course to end his career with more trophies than any other player in history – and that feels fitting, doesn’t it?

Which footballers have won the most trophies in history?

Let’s take a look at the top 11:

11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (32 trophies)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic won his 32nd trophy with AC Milan last season (the Serie A title, no less) and recently extended his playing career for at least one more year.

The Swedish striker, who turns 41 in October, said earlier this year: “I want to play as long as I can. The reality is I’ll play until I see that someone is better than me, so I’m still playing.”

Article image:Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies

10. Xavi (33 trophies)

A maestro with the ball at his feet, Barcelona’s current head coach is one of the greatest midfielders of all time who won trophies for fun during his glittering playing career at Camp Nou between 1998-2015.

Before hanging up his boots in 2019, Xavi also added four trophies to his collection at Al Sadd.

Article image:Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies

=8. Vitor Baia (34 trophies)

Portuguese goalkeeper Vitor Baia left Barcelona for FC Porto just as Xavi broke into the Barça’s first team. He won a handful of trophies at Camp Nou before cleaning up at the Estadio do Dragao until his retirement in 2007.

Article image:Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies

=8. Cristiano Ronaldo (34 trophies)

Cristiano Ronaldo knows he doesn’t have long left until his playing days end, hence why he’s desperate to leave Manchester United for a team with a better chance of winning silverware this season.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, 38 in February, has enjoyed success with every club he’s played at and is determined to add more trophies to his extensive collection before calling time on his remarkable career.

Article image:Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies

=6. Gerard Pique (35 trophies)

It’s easy to forget that Gerard Pique began his senior career under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, where he won the Premier League, Community Shield and Champions League.

But it’s at Barcelona where Pique has won the vast majority of his trophies, plus a few with Spain – including the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Article image:Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies

=6. Kenny Dalglish (35 trophies)

A Celtic *and* Liverpool legend, Kenny Dalglish is one of the greatest British footballers of all time and only five players have won more trophies than the Scot.

Dalglish helped Celtic dominate Scottish football before moving to Anfield in 1977, where he inspired Liverpool to a host of titles both domestically and in Europe.

Article image:Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies

5. Ryan Giggs (36 trophies)

Thirteen Premier League titles is absurd and it’s a record unlikely to ever be equalled. Ryan Giggs also won 23 other trophies with Man Utd including two Champions Leagues and three FA Cups.

Article image:Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies

=3. Andres Iniesta (37 trophies)

Like his former Barcelona teammate Xavi, Andres Iniesta scooped up most of his trophies at Camp Nou during the most successful period in the club’s history.

The Spanish legend, now 38, has spent the past four years playing with Vissel Kobe and has won two trophies with the Japanese outfit to date.

Article image:Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies

=3. Maxwell (37 trophies)

It can pay to be a small fish in a big pond, just ask Brazilian full-back Maxwell.

A decent left-back, the South American won a host of major honours with Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

2. Lionel Messi (41 trophies)

One of only two footballers to win more than 40 trophies, Messi is surely destined to end his career at the very top of this list.

1. Dani Alves (43 trophies)

But standing in Messi’s way is a man he knows very well from their time together at Barcelona.

Dani Alves, 40 next May, recently joined Mexican side Pumas UNAM following a short stint back at Camp Nou.

Will he add at least one more trophy to his collection before retiring? You certainly wouldn’t bet against him.

Article image:Lionel Messi moves further clear of Cristiano Ronaldo on list of players with most trophies
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