With the FIFA World Cup 2022 close by, There is a lot of talk about the upcoming World Cup in Qatar with a fair amount of it focussing on Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo given it could be his last major tournament for the Seleção.

The reason that is relevant is that there are big questions about whether or not Fernando Santos is the right manager to lead Portugal in the World Cup. Even if Bovada sportsbook and other popular ones rate Portuguese chances quite high on the FIFA World Cup 2022 (at least of getting to the quarter-finals), there is huge skepticism among Portuguese fans.

What pedigree does Santos have?

Before we get into whether or not Santos is the right man for Portugal, we thought we'd look at where he has come from. It's not like he's been plucked out of nowhere and fast-tracked into the national team job. Santos has been involved in management for 35 years having started out as assistant for Estoril, where he spent the vast majority of his playing career, before bouncing around numerous clubs including Porto, Benfica and Sporting in his homeland.

During Santos' club career the honours were limited with just the one Liga NOS title and a couple of Taça de Portugal triumphs - all with Porto. In Greece, he guided AEK Athens to a cup win whilst collecting several individual awards - namely the Manager of the Year award and the Greek Coach of the Decade award.

His overall club win percentage of 44% is hardly top tier. That aside, his performances in Greece had been impressive and the Greek national team took an educated punt on him as a manager; it went reasonably well according to their expectations with qualification to two major tournaments - Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup - with both seeing them make the knockout stages.

With those achievements in his pocket, Portugal came calling when Santos replaced Paulo Bento as manager. It was an appointment that did not enthuse Seleção fans at the time. Despite the unspectacular club career, during his time in charge of Portugal, Santos has achieved unprecedented success for the country on the international scene. He guided Portugal to a somewhat surprise trophy at Euro 2016. The Nations League, although it does not have the same level of profile attached to it, followed in 2019. Two pieces of silverware for a nation that had previously gone close but tasted glory elevated Santos to national hero status.

Yet what has happened since has taken the sheen of Santos' considerable feats as the leader of his national team. Lacklustre showings in the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 Euro led many analysts and fans to call for Santos to be replaced. To compound matters, many believe that Portugal currently have their greatest ever talent pool with a whole slew of players occupying key roles at the world's most successful clubs. Therefore, they should be doing better, the argument goes.

FIFA World Cup 2022: What is the Santos style of play?

We've already touched on varying degrees of Santos' success in charge of international teams but there comes a point when fans want more. It feels like the Portuguese fan base is now creeping towards that point - if they're not there already! The big reason for that is down to the style of play and general philosophy Santos uses to approach games.

When in charge of Greece, making the knockout phases of a big tournament was a success. And although Portugal expected more than just to be making up numbers, with zero trophies in the cabinet when Santos took over, actually winning a European Championship not considered a realistic goal. As such, Santos and co were able to cautiously approach games relying on a game plan that made them the underdog where they'd look to strike when the opposition were out of shape and exposed.

It was that method that saw Portugal lift the Euro 2016 crown but whilst the history books don't remember the style of play, a lot of fans do, with the road to the 2016 title seeing Portugal manage to win just a single game inside 90 minutes. The 2018 World Cup was a broadly similar deal albeit this time without the success; the opening game saw a Ronaldo hat-trick as Portugal and Spain played out a barnstorming 3-3 draw. Game two was a narrow 1-0 win over Morocco courtesy of Mr. CR7 whilst the third group game saw them struggle to a 1-1 draw with Iran. The round of 16 saw them eliminated. Pragmatism and defeats are not a good combination.

Have there been recent changes?

After the drab World Cup showing, the 2019 Nations League win was enough to re-inject some confidence into Santos and his team. It proved short-lived with Euro 2020 being another fail for Santos. His side won just once in the group and only made it to the next round as one of the best placed third teams; History did not repeat itself - Portugal also finished third in their group at Euro 2016 - as the Seleção exited in the first knockout round once again.

Worse was to follow, as Portugal were very nearly not even at the World Cup finishing second in their qualifying group and facing a four-team playoff, with Italy one of the possible adversaries. At this point Santos was being pilloried in the local press, his style perceived as overly pragmatic, tactically inept, too safety-first and generally out of sync with more modern, pressing, attacking models of play. The seriously impressive pool of talent in the ranks right now only intensified this notion, with many fans feeling the tactical setup is failing the players available to Santos.

Nevertheless, Portugal negotiated the playoffs, enjoying a slice of luck as Italy were shocked by minnows North Macedonia, who the Seleção duly beat in the playoff final, having seen off Turkey in the semi-final. The recent Nations League games have brought mixed results. Portugal were largely overrun by Spain in Seville and lost to Switzerland in Geneva, but in their two home matches played some sparkling football as they beat Switzerland and the Czech Republic with an aggregate score of 6-0.

FIFA World Cup 2022: How good are Portugal?

On paper, Portugal have a seriously strong squad that should be capable of controlling games of football. Ronaldo isn't the player he once was but is still a world-class goal scorer. He's ably supported at the sharp end of the pitch by Diogo Jota, with Rafael Leão and João Félix super talented options. Feeding those attacking players are the likes of Bernardo Silva and his club team-mate João Cancelo, who combined to devastating effect in the latest matches. 

These are top tier players with most of them playing for the elite club teams in world football. At the international level, they're being asked to play with the shackles on by Santos. The credit he once had in the bank is running very thin nowadays and whilst his defend-first approach might see them come through what is a tough FIFA World Cup 2022 group, it's hard to envisage Portugal winning the tournament. The FPF will not replace Santos before the World Cup, and his contract runs until Euro 2024, but failure in Qatar and it will likely be cut short.

That all said, crucially Santos has the backing of the players. He is already Portugal's most successful ever coach, and a maiden World Cup triumph would see statues of Santos commissioned north to south of the country as well as vindicating the faith shown in him by the FPF. As with the nation's greatest ever player, Cristiano Ronaldo, Qatar 2022 could bring either an extraordinary climax to an extraordinary spell in the history of the Seleção… or be something of a damp squib. May the ball start rolling.

For more FIFA World Cup 2022 news and articles, follow Sportz Point.

Many great players have taken the football pitch and left the fans in awe. However, only a few players have gone on to win various trophies in their careers. In this special article, we will take a look at an elite list of players who have won the most trophies in football as a player. 

Argentine football star Lionel Messi is the player with most trophies in football history. In his career so far, with club and country, he has won 46 major trophies. Moreover, he is one of the very few players to win FIFA World Cup. Ballon d'Or, and UEFA Champions League in his career. 

But, yes, the below list only counts the major trophies won with teams and only only individual awards. We wanted to be clear with that at the start. With this list of "11 players who have won the most trophies in football history," we will able to judge which player has been a part of a winning team mostly. 

Though, it is not always the case that when you win a trophy, you have a big role to play in that. But, in this list, all the players listed always had big contributions to their team's success. So, without further a due, let's checkout the list. 

Top 11 players with the most trophies in football:

11. Vitor Baia (34 trophies)

Vitor Baia spent most of his career with FC Porto except playing two years for Barcelona. Baia started his career with FC Porto in 1988 and left the club to join Barcelona in 1996. 

Before retiring in 2007, he played for Barcelona in two stints and won the La Liga in 1997-98 season. His most success came his boyhood club FC Porto, where he won the Liga Portugal 10 times.

However, the biggest achievement was to win the UEFA Champions League in 2004 with the Dragons. Under the visionary eyes of Jose Mourinho, they created one of the greatest underdog success stories in European football.

In a total, Baia won 25 trophies with the Porto while adding the rest to his collection of glories for Barcelona. Unfortunately, he was not able to add any trophy while playing for Portugal.

10. Kenny Dalglish (34 trophies)

Scottish legend Sir Kenny Dalglish is Liverpool's one of the most legendary players. Apart from playing 13 years for the Reds, he played for Celtic for 8 years at the start of his career.

For Liverpool FC, he won a club record 8 Premier League titles along with three Champions League titles. He had won 7 English Super Cups and 2 FA Cup titles as well.

While playing for Celtic, he became the Scottish Champion four times.

9. Angel di Maria (35 trophies)

One of the most underrated players in modern football history, Di Maria always had to shine under the shadows of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Di Maria played alongside Lionel Messi for Argentina and then shared club dressing room with Cristiano at Real Madrid.

With his latest trophy for Benfica in the Portuguese Super Cup, he now has won 35 trophies in his career. Di Maria won five Ligue 1 titles with PSG and won his only Champions League title with Real Madrid.

Read Also | Football facts: 10 players who have played most games with Lionel Messi

However, just like Lionel Messi, his international success bloomed late in his career. He won the Copa America twice in 2021 and 2024. But, his major success was to win the FIFA World Cup 2022, where he scored an important in the final.

Di Maria retired from international football after the 2024 Copa America final.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo (36 trophies)

Arguably one of the greatest players in the history of football, Cristiano Ronaldo has 36 trophies in his cabinet at the moment. The Portuguese legend won his latest trophy for Portugal, as he lifted the UEFA Nations League 2025 for his country.

Ronaldo, who started his club career with Sporting CP, won the Portuguese Super Cup with the club in 2003. That was the start to a historical career which gave football fans joy for over two decades.

Read Also: Top 10: Most Free-kick Goals In Football History (Updated)

The Portuguese legend flourished under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. He then joined Real Madrid, where he won four of his five UEFA Champions League titles. Ronaldo has won a title for every club he has played for so far.

However, one of his biggest achievements as a player was to win the UEFA European Cup with Portugal in 2016. Besides scoring over 900 career goals, Ronaldo's success for every team is what makes him a legend.

7. Ryan Giggs (37 trophies)

Ryan Giggs played all his life for one football club; Manchester United. In his 24-year career at the club, he won a total of 37 trophies, a record for the club.

Not only that, with 13 Premier League titles, he is league's most successful player ever. With the Red Devils, he also went on to win two UEFA Champions League title.

For United, he played 963 games and has 168 goals and 265 assists, another record for United.

6. Sergio Busquets (38 Trophies)

Sergio Busquets, the FC Barcelona and Spain legend is one of the most underrated players ever to play. The central defender was part of one of the greatest international team which won 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2010 Euros for Spain.

Read Also: Barcelona team that won "EVERYTHING" in 2009: Busquets to leave as the last man of that team

The former Barcelona captain won 9 La Liga titles. Not only that, he won 7 Spanish Cups and Spanish Super Cups as well for the Catalan club.

However, his biggest achievement in club football was to win three UCL titles for Barcelona. His latest trophy is the 2024 Supporters’ Shield winners with Inter Miami CF.

5. Maxwell (38 trophies)

Maxwell, the Brazilian left back might be the only unknown player on this list. The defender achieved most of his success playing for PSG in France.

However, he found success with FC Barcelona as well. But, joined PSG to find more chances as well.

Maxwell's first trophy was with Cruzeiro, winning the Brazilian Cup in 2000. Soon the joined Ajax, wining two Dutch League titles.

His move to Barcelona via Inter Milan and FC Empoli saw him winning the UEFA Champions League title in 2011. But his most success came with PSG, winning the Ligue 1 four times in a row from 2013 to 2016.

Read Also: Messi vs Ronaldo: The hat-trick battle

4. Gerard Pique (39 trophies)

Another player from that legendary Spanish and Barcelona team, who features in this list. Although known for his career at FC Barcelona, Gerard Pique had success with Manchester United as well.

It might be quite revealing for many that, he played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, against whom he had some tough battles later.

Read Also | Reliving Barcelona's Golden Era: A Tribute to Footballing Brilliance

Pique won 9 La Liga titles for Barcelona to go with 3 UCL titles for the club. But before reaching there he had won the Premier League and Champions League for United in the 2007-08 season.

He was also an integral part of the Spanish team which won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and UEFA Euro in 2012.

3. Andres Iniesta (39 trophies)

Probably the best midfielder of the modern era, Andres Iniesta with 41 trophies is the third most successful footballer ever.

Another important player of that iconic Spanish and Barcelona team, Iniesta found success early in his career. He won his first major trophy with Spain U-17 team winning the U-17 Euros in 2000. He followed that up with the U-19 Euro title next year.

His Barcelona career started in 2002 which continued till 2018. In those 17 year at Barcelona, he won 32 trophies. Post that, he joined Japanese club Viseel Kobe where he won three trophies as well.

Read Also | Andres Iniesta: Who has won the most trophies for FC Barcelona?

Along with all club level success, Iniesta's greatest achievement was to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup alongside lifting the 2008 and 2012 Euro Cup. His goal in the 2010 World Cup final to hand Spain their first-ever World Cup, is regarded as one of the greatest World Cup moments.

Iniesta called it a day in 2024 after spending a year at the Emirates Club. 

2. Dani Alves (43 trophies)

Before Lionel Messi took over as the player with most trophies in football history, it was Dani Alves who had the record. The defender won 23 trophies in eight years at Barcelona.

Dani Alves won six La Liga and three Champions League titles with Barcelona. He then won 19 more titles while playing for Juventus, PSG, and Sao Paulo. He won domestic titles in Italy, France, Brazil and Spain as, which makes him one of the greatest of his era.

Read Also: All the FIFA World Cup winners and runners-up since 1930

The defender won six major titles with his national team, Brazil. He started his Brazil career by winning the U-20 FIFA World Cup in 2003. Alves then won two Copa America titles in 2007 and 2019. He concluded his international career by winning the Olympic gold in 2021.

Despite the recent off-field controversies, with 43 trophies in his cabinet, Dani Alves is one of the greatest ever to play the game.

1. Lionel Messi (46 trophies)

Leo Messi is the player with the most trophies in football history. With his latest triumph at the 2024 Supporters’ Shield winners, the magician from Argentina won his 46th trophy in his career.

Messi won back-to-back four international trophies with Argentina within three years. He won the Copa America 2021 and then went on to win the Finalissima 2022. Then he capped off his greatest achievement by winning FIFA World Cup 2022.

The Argentine maestro has also won the Olympic Gold Medal with his country in 2008. His latest international success came in Copa America 2024.

In club football history, Messi is the most successful player with 41 club trophies to his name. He started his career with his boyhood club Barcelona and played 18 seasons for the club, scoring a record 672 goals.

Read Also | Top 10 La Masia Graduates who ruled football

The 8-time Ballon d'Or winner won four Champions League titles with Barcelona. Alongside European success, he won 10 La Liga titles as well, most for Barcelona. He has also won Spanish Cup seven times.

After his great stint at Barcelona, Messi went to the French League to play for PSG. However, he was unable to bring the UCL to the French giant, he won the French League with them. In addition, he won the French Super Cup for the season 2022-23 with PSG.

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest football players and goal scorers ever, has won 36 trophies in his senior career so far. The Portuguese legend is among the top 10 football players with the most trophies in history as well. 

Ronaldo, till now, has won 17 different trophies in his career, and among them, two are with his country, Portugal. Today, in this article, we will discuss every single trophy Cristiano Ronaldo has won in his career.

Read Also | 11 players who have won the most trophies in football history

Cristiano Ronaldo's international trophy cabinet

Ronaldo got the taste of winning a trophy with Portugal on only three occasions so far. In the historic and emotional 2016 European Championship, he was able to lift the trophy, despite being sidelined for the most amount of time due to a knee injury in the final. 

Éder's lone goal helped Portugal lift the EURO 2016 and Ronaldo lift his first international trophy with Portugal.

Read Also | Greatest Premier League XI Ever: Rooney, Ronaldo or Salah?

Ronaldo's second international trophy came three years after that European success. In the UEFA Nations League 2019 final, Goncalo Guedes scored the lone goal for Portugal against the Netherlands to lift the inaugural Nations League title.

Ronaldo then became the oldest player to score in a Nations League final as Portugal won their second UEFA Nations League in 2025, becoming the first team to do so. They defeated Spain in the penalties to win the title.

Cristiano Ronaldo's club trophies

One of the most successful players ever, Cristiano Ronaldo, won trophies across three major European Leagues. He won his first-ever trophy in 2003, with Sporting CP, by lifting the Portuguese Super Cup. 

His winning momentum then reached a great high at Manchester United as he went on to win 3 Premier League titles, 1 UEFA Champions League title, 2 English League Cups, 1 English Super Cup, the FA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup for the Red Devils.

But, Ronaldo's success reached its peak when he joined Real Madrid for then a record fee of €94 million. With Real Madrid, Ronaldo won another four Champions League titles, which made him one of the most successful players in the tournament's history.

Read Also | Players with the most champions league titles 

Not only that, he also went on to win 2 La Liga titles, 3 FIFA Club World Cups, 2 UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Cups and Spanish Super Cups. 

However, Ronaldo did not stop there as he went on to conquer Italy with Juventus. With Juventus, Ronaldo won 2 Serie A titles, 2 Italian Super Cups and one Italian Cup. 

In all, Ronaldo till now has won 33 club trophies in his career. His last club trophy came with Al-Nassr when he won the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.

Read Also | Statistical Overlook of Messi vs Ronaldo Debate: Who Is the G.O.A.T?

Every single trophy Cristiano Ronaldo has won in his career

Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Portugal vs Spain UEFA Nations League 2025 final match tonight. 

This is Koushik Biswas, who will bring you all the LIVE updates of the match from the web desk. 

Let me remind you that both Spain and Portugal are looking to become the first ever to win the UEFA Nations League second time. Portugal won it back in the inaugural season in 2019. 

Meantime, Spain are looking to become the first team to retain the UEFA Nations League as a defending champion. 

So, sit back, relax and enjoy the coverage. 

Portugal and Spain are all set to lock horns in the UEFA Nations League 2025 final tomorrow at the Munich Football Arena in Germany. Portugal, the 2019 winners and Spain, the defending champions, both will look to become the first team to win the Nations League twice. 

Not only that, but Spain will have the chance to become the first team to defend the Nations League title successfully. Before both the proud nations collide for the silverware, here is everything you need to know ahead of the Portugal vs Spain, UEFA Nations League 2025 final.

Match Details

Match: Portugal vs Spain, UEFA Nations League 2025 final

Date: 9 June 2025

Time: 12.30 am IST

Venue: Munich Football Arena, Germany

How to watch the Nations League final?

Indian fans can watch the Portugal vs Spain, UEFA Nations League 2025 final match on Sony Sports Network channels on television. Moreover, they can also enjoy the match LIVE on Sony LIV with a paid subscription. The match will also be streamed LIVE on Jio TV. 

To watch the match from a nation other than India, read this full guide.

Read Also | UEFA Nations League: Past Winners List

Portugal vs Spain: Head-to-head stats

Spain have dominated Portugal in all competitions they have played so far. In 40 matches between these two countries, Spain won 18 times. Meantime, Portugal emerged victorious 16 times in those games. 

6 times, their matches ended in a draw. So, you can see how close the competitions have been throughout the years.

Team News: Portugal

Portugal will be confident of beating any team in the world after ousting Germany in the semi-final. This was their first win over the Germans since the EURO 2000. Not only that, but Cristiano Ronaldo also won against Germany for the first time in his senior career, after netting the winning goal.

Roberto Martínez has introduced a few new tactical things to turn things around for Portugal, after crashing out against France on penalties in the last eight. Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto or Francisco Conceição on the wings supplying central striker Cristiano Ronaldo, has been a great plan for him along with having a strong 4-man defence in the back.

Along with them, inform Vitinha, fresh from a Champions League triumph, and Bruno Fernandes, give Portugal solidity in the midfield. 

Till now, there is no news of injuries, and Martinez will have a full squad to choose from for the final against Spain. 

Prontos para contrariar a história 💫📚 #FazHistória | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/Gx5pISZ2Kv

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 7, 2025

Team News: Spain

Spain have been one of the best sides in world football, comprising one of the brightest young talents in every position. Although they are suffering from a few long-term injuries to some senior players, Luis de la Fuente's team looks no worried since winning the EURO 2024. 

In a record-breaking semi-final, where the most number of goals in a Nations League match was scored, Spain defeated France by 5-4 to qualify for the final. Though the scoreline looks tight, Spain once led by 4-1, and a few experiments along with complacency led them to win by a smaller margin.

Lamine Yamal, the Ballon d'Or 2025 contender, scored a brace for them while Pedri netted a magical goal. Mikel Oyarzabal, just like every time, performed silently while providing two assists. Nico Williams also looked like a beast on the right. 

Scoring goals will never be an issue for a team like this. But, defending well against a well-shaped Portugal team would be a tough task for them. 

No news of new injuries for them as well. 

Sé que has visto los goles de la Selección española ante Francia desde todos los ángulos posibles.

😉 Pero te digo que así 𝗡𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢.

Disfruta este vídeo, porque es una fantasía.#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/nTJo9Vo6h5

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 6, 2025

Possible Lineups

Portugal

Diogo Costa; João Neves, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes; Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Francisco Conceição, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto.

Spain

Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Robin Le Normand, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Pedri, Martín Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams

Our prediction

We predict a 3-2 win for Spain. 

The European Golden Boot or European Golden Shoe is awarded annually to the leading goal scorer in league matches in the top divisions of European football. First awarded in 1968, this prestigious honour is judged on a points-based system.

Also Read: Players with the most champions league titles

Golden Boot: Rules

The winner is not simply the player with the most goals in the season. There is a weighting system where the goals scored in the top-ranked leagues are worth more. Players from the five highest ranked leagues according to UEFA (based on results of each league's clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons) get 2 points per scored goal, leagues ranked 6-22 get 1.5 points per goal and the remaining leagues get 1 point per goal.

The top five ranked leagues in 2022 were Germany, Spain, England, Italy, and France. The winners usually come from the top-ranked leagues.

Historical Overview

Between 1968 and 1991, the award was given by L'Équipe to the highest goalscorer in any European league. Between 1991 and 1996 there were no official awards given to the top goal scorers, but the leading goalscorer for those years have since been recognized.

Since the 1996–97 season, the award, given by European Sports Media, has used a weighted points system.

Most Golden Boots win

Lionel Messi has won the European Golden Boot a record six times (2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19). The next closest is Cristiano Ronaldo with four (2007-08, 2010-11, 2013-14, 2014-15).

Let's take a look at the most Golden Boots win in football history.

Also Read: Manchester United Trophy Cabinet

Most Golden Boots win in football history (All Time)

1. Lionel Messi | 6 Times

2. Cristiano Ronaldo | 4 Times

3. Luis Suárez | 2 Times

4. Thierry Henry | 2 Times

5. Robert Lewandowski | 2 Times