Football is a physical game, only a few players managed to dodge the red card. In this article, we look at footballers with zero red cards in their careers.
It is very hard to play football without tough tackles and touches. That is the reason almost every player has seen the yellow card at least once in their career. Footballers with zero red cards are one of the rarest things in the sport. This article focuses on those players who may have been booked but were never shown the red card in their careers.
Michel Platini had an incredible career. He is one of the greatest players to play the game. He was also the top goal scorer in Euro 1984. Platini also won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Moreover, he is also one of the footballers with zero red cards in his career.
The French international made a total of 652 appearances during his career both with his nation and club; 580 with the club and 72 at Country but he was never shown a single red card in any one of these appearances. Although he received a total of 13 yellow cards.
The German legend Philipp Lahm features at no.2 in the list of footballers with zero red cards to their name. Moreover, he is the only German player to feature on this list. Phillip Lahm made a total of 765 career appearances from which 652 was at club level and 113 was at International level.
Even though the German midfielder received a huge number of yellow cards during his career ( 60 yellow cards), he was never sent off.
One of the greats of the game and a Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez, popularly known as Raul features in this list. He was with the Los Blancos for 16 years from 1994-2010 and made 741. However, his total tally of appearances climbs up to 1044 with 942 at club level and 102 appearances at international level.
It is astonishing that he played over 1000 games but never received a single red card in his career.
The Manchester United and Welsh legend Ryan Giggs come in at no.4 in the list. Ryan Giggs has a club record number of 963 appearances for Manchester United. He played for the Red Devils from 1991 till 2014 before retiring as a player. However, in this long span of time, he was never ever sent off the pitch.
The Welshman is one of the most decorated players in the club's history. He won two UEFA Champions League titles, 13 Premier League titles and four FA Cup titles. Giggs is now serving as the head coach of the Wales national team.
The FC Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta often considered as one of the nicest players in the world is the second Spanish international to feature in the list. He is now 37 years old and played for Barcelona for the majority of his career and now plays for Vissel Kobe in Japan.
He made a total of 674 appearances for the club and 131 for the Spanish national team. But he was never shown a single red card in his career.
Karim Benzema is the second French international to feature in this list after Platini. The French International has been playing for the top La Liga club Real Madrid since the year 2009 but before coming to Spain, he had already played for five years in the French League with Olympique Lyonnais and he made 148 appearances for the French club.
He is the only active player in Europe's top 5 leagues who has been never sent off the pitch. However, his appearances are still counting and he will look to maintain the record.
El Clasico is considered as the greatest football rivalries, between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Here is the list of the top 10 greatest El Clasico matches ever played.
Zamorano celebrating his goal in the 1995 El Clasico. Image | TheHardTackle
The Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match on January 7, 1995, at the Santiago Bernabeu was unforgettable. Zamorano netted a hat-trick, leading Real Madrid to a commanding 5-0 victory in this LaLiga clash. It was one of the most one-sided El Clasico matches ever, with the home team fully dominating Barcelona.
The match gave Real Madrid an edge in the title race for La Liga.
9. Real Madrid 2-1 FC Barcelona, 2014
Gareth Bale(right) celebrating his 85th minute winner against Barcelona in the 2014 El Clasico. Image | Sky Sports
The Mestalla Stadium in Valencia, Spain, hosted the 2014 Copa Del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona on April 16. The match seemed headed for extra time, but a brilliant 85th-minute goal from Gareth Balesecured the victory for Real Madrid. It marked their 19th Copa del Rey title.
8. FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, 2010
Xavi Hernandez after scoring the first goal of the night in the 2010 El Clasico. Image | CNN
After dominating El Clasico the previous season, Barcelona, led by coach Pep Guardiola, continued their strong form in 2009-10. Real Madrid had spent big to rebuild their "Galactico Era," bringing in stars like Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Madrid’s firepower wasn’t enough. Barcelona crushed them 5-0 at the Camp Nou, with David Villa scoring twice. Messi didn’t score but played a big role in most of the goals.
Lionel Messi celebrating his hattrick in the 2007 El Clasico. Image | 90MIN
This LaLiga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid took place at Camp Nou on March 10, 2007, and ended in an exciting 3-3 draw. Both teams played their hearts out, making it one of the greatest El Clasico matches in recent years.
Messi scored a hat-trick, whileVan Nistelrooy scored twice andRamos added one for Madrid. A fierce, high-scoring clash that highlighted both teams' firepower.
6. Real Madrid 4-2 FC Barcelona, 2005
Raul Gonzalez celebrating his goal in the 2005 El Clasico. Image | Squawka
The early 2000s saw Real Madrid stacked with stars like Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Beckham, and Ronaldo Nazario. Despite Barcelona boasting talents like Ronaldinho, Eto'o, and Xavi, Madrid outclassed them with a 4-2 win—Zidane and Ronaldo struck early, while Raul and Owen sealed it in the second half.
5. Real Madrid 3-1 FC Barcelona, 1960
Alfredo Di Stefano trying to score a goal in the 1960 El Clasico. Image | Alamy
Real Madrid’s clash with Barcelona in the 1960 European Cup Semifinal is seen as a key moment in El Clasico history. Madrid won 3-1 and reached the final. Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas found the net for Real Madrid, sealing their victory in the semifinal against Barcelona.
The match showed the strong rivalry and attacking power of both teams. It's still remembered today as one of the greatest El Clasico matches and a major turning point in their history.
4. FC Barcelona 4-0 Real Madrid, 2015
Luis Suarez(centre) celebrating his goal in the 2015 El Clasico. Image | FC Barcelona
During the peak of the MSN era at Barcelona, the team looked unstoppable in Spain. But for the first El Clasico of the season, Messi was out with an injury. Surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t make much impact, while Luis Suárez and Neymar stepped up. They led Barcelona to a dominant 4-0 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
With both teams playing attacking football and creating plenty of chances, this was the greatest El Clasico match of the 1980s. Butragueno gave Real Madrid the lead, but Gary Lineker put Barcelona ahead. Goals from Schuster and Michel made it 3-1 for Madrid. Julio Salinas gave Barca hope, but a late goal from Hugo Sanchez sealed the win for Real Madrid.
2. FC Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid, 2011
Cesc Fabregas(left) celebrating his assist to Lionel Messi(right) in the 2011 El Clasico. Image | TheNewYorkTimes
One of the most intense and dramatic El Clasicos happened in 2011 during the Supercopa de Espana. The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu, but the second leg had everything—goals, fouls, and lots of drama.
Iniesta put Barcelona ahead, Ronaldo equalised, and Messi sealed it with two goals, including a late 88th-minute winner. The match turned chaotic after a foul on Fabregas sparked a brawl, leading to four red cards and Mourinho infamously poking Vilanova in the eye.
1. FC Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid, 2017
Debatably the greatest El Clasico match of the modern era, took place in the 2016-17 LaLiga season. Real Madrid was leading the league and hoping to extend their lead, while Barcelona needed a win to stay in the title race.
What made this match unforgettable happened in the final moments. The ball was passed to Messi just outside the Real Madrid penalty area. Instead of taking a wild shot, Messi calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, securing a crucial victory for Barcelona at their biggest rivals' home.
Many Players have experienced taking the UEFA Champions League match ball home. But few have done it multiple times. Listening to the UEFA Champions League anthem on the pitch while being in the starting lineup is the dream of every other kid football fan. But among the dreamers, few players go on to make further history in the game.
Players who leave a lasting impression through their quality, be it defending, goalkeeping, or even scoring goals. In this article, we will have a look at the players with the most hat-tricks in the UEFA Champions League history.
RANK
PLAYERS
HAT-TRICKS
CLUBS
1
Cristiano Ronaldo
8
Real Madrid (7), Juventus (1)
2
Lionel Messi
8
FC Barcelona (8)
3
Robert Lewandowski
6
Borussia Dortmund (1), Bayern Munich (4), FC Barcelona (1)
4
Karim Benzema
4
Real Madrid (1)
5
Luiz Adriano
3
Shakhtar Donetsk (3)
6
Mario Gomez
3
Bayern Munich (3)
7
Filippo Inzaghi
3
Juventus (2), AC Milan (1)
8
Neymar Junior
3
FC Barcelona (1), Paris Saint-Germain (2)
9
Kylian Mbappe
3
Paris Saint-Germain (2), Real Madrid (1)
10
Harry Kane
2
Tottenham Hotspurs (1), FC Bayern Munich (1)
10. Harry Kane| 2 Hat-tricks| Tottenham Hotspurs & Bayern Munich:
First Hat-trick | Tottenham Hotspurs:
On 26th September 2017, Harry Kane hit his first hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League against APOEL FC, Tottenham Hotspurs won that match 3-0 in the group stage and Kane finished the group stage joint second in the top scorers chart with six goals.
Second Hat-trick | FC Bayern Munich:
On 18th September 2024, Harry Kane hit his second hat-trick against Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League. Kane scored 4 goals and Bayern Munich won that match 9-2 at Allianz Arena in Munich.
9. Kylian Mbappe | 3 Hat-tricks | Paris Saint-Germain & Real Madrid:
On 17 February 2017, Kylian Mbappe scored his second UEFA Champions League Round of 16 hat-tricks against the mighty FC Barcelona in Parc des Princes. Mbappe scored 3 goals and Moises Keane scored the last goal against Barcelona and they won 4-1 against the Blaugranes.
8. Neymar Jr. | 3 Hat-tricks | FC Barcelona & Paris Saint-Germain:
First Hat-trick | FC Barcelona:
On December 11, 2013, Neymar Jr. scored his first-ever hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League at Camp Nou in Spain. In that Lionel Messi was injured, but Neymar stepped up and scored a hat-trick against Celtic FC and FC Barcelona triumphed over a dominant 6-1 win against Celtic FC.
Filippo Inzaghi scored his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick against Dynamo Kyiv. Filippo Inzaghi became the first Juventus player to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick when he found the back of the net on three occasions against Dynamo Kyiv in March 1998. Juventus won that match with a comfortable 4-1 scoreline.
Second Hat-trick | Juventus:
On 13 September 2000, Filippo Inzaghi netted his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick against Hamburg. Filippo Inzaghi's hat-trick rescued Juventus as an astonishing Champions League match against Hamburg finished 4-4 in Germany. Juventus led 3-1 at one stage before falling 4-3 behind and it needed a late penalty from Inzaghi to rescue a point.
Third Hat-trick | AC Milan:
The former Italian international scored his third UEFA Champions League hat-trick in his iconic AC Milan Jersey against Deportivo La Coruna. With the help of his hat-trick AC Milan won with a comfortable 4-0 scoreline in the 2002-03 season.
6. Mario Gomez | 3 Hat-tricks | FC Bayern Munich:
Mario Gomez bagged 3 UCL hat-tricks for Bayern Munich | Bayern Munich
Mario Gomez scored his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick against the Romanian side CFR Cluj in November 2010. Almost a year to the day later, the German forward scored a match-winning hat-trick against Napoli to seal a 3-2 win.
Luiz Adriano had registered his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick two years prior when he netted three times in Shakhtar's 5-2 win over Danish side Nordsjaelland in November 2012. Luiz Adriano netted his second UEFA Champions League hat-trick against BATE Borisov in the 2014 season. The Brazilian recorded his third hat-trick against BATE as he inspired Shakhtar to a 5-0 win.
The Frenchman would wait five years for his second as he scored three times in an 8-0 win over Malmo, scoring three against PSG in March 2022, Benzema recorded his fourth UEFA Champions League hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Chelsea in April that year.
The Polish forward had already agreed on terms with Bayern at that point and Lewandowski recorded four hat-tricks for the German giants when opposing Dinamo Zagreb, Red Star Belgrade, Benfica, and lastly Red Bull Salzburg.
The former Barcelona legend scored other six UEFA Champions League hat-tricks against Ajax, APOEL Nicosia, Celtic, Manchester City, and PSV Eindhoven, a record equaled by Cristiano Ronaldo just six months later.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 8 Hat-tricks | Real Madrid & Juventus:
Although the most memorable one came against Atlético de Madrid the second time. This time in the colors of Juventus. Juventus progressed 3-2 on aggregate to reach the quarterfinals.
20 Highest-Paid Footballers in Saudi Pro League History
Discover the 20 highest-paid footballers in Saudi Pro League history, featuring superstar signings, record-breaking salaries, and the league's biggest earners. Explore how Saudi Clubs have reshaped global football with massive contracts and marquee transfers.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo's groundbreaking move to Al-Nassr in December 2022, the Saudi Pro League has become an attractive destination for several high-profile European stars. His transfer acted as a channel, inspiring many big names to follow in his footsteps and head to the Middle East.
Top players like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane have made the switch. While the appeal of a new challenge may have played a minor role in their decisions, the well-paid contracts were undoubtedly the main motivation. Former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves even admitted that in December 2023, though he also acknowledged that the league's ambitious project influenced his choice.
As the biggest star in the Saudi Pro League,Cristiano Ronaldo earns an astronomical weekly age, with his presence drawing global attention to the league's expanding brand. But who else comes close to him in terms of earnings?
20 Highest-Paid Footballers in Saudi Pro League history:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 3.85 million Euros per Week:
Cristiano Ronaldo wins first title at Al-Nassr in Arab Club Champions | Sports Inquirer. net
The Pioneer, The game-changer, The highest-paid footballer of all time. Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in January 2023 was not just a transfer- it was a statement. His arrival ignited a wave of big-name signings in the Saudi Pro League, but none have matched his astonishing earnings.
Earning twice as much as the next best-paid player, he remains the undisputed financial King of both the league and theWorld football. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner did not just adapt, he succeeded, finishing 2023 as the year's top goal scorer across all competitions. At 40, he is not just playing-he is redefining the game on a new level.
2. Karim Benzema | 1.93 million Euros per week:
Karim Benzema earns 1.93 million euros per week in Saudi Arabia | Info-Sport-com
Karim Benzema had the option to stay at Real Madrid for another year, but who can blame him for accepting a three-year deal with champions Al-lttihad, well over 150 million? At 35, an age when many players consider retirement, he chose to take a new challenge while securing an astonishing payday.
Official, confirmed. Karim Benzema joins Al Ittihad on two year deal with option for further season. 🟡⚫️🇸🇦 #AlIttihad
Benzema will earn almost €200m per season net salary, commercial deals included. pic.twitter.com/vSrkL4zjJI
However,unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, the Frenchman has struggled to settle in the Saudi Pro League, even earning aharsh new nickname from Al-lttihad fans. Despite this, he has still delivered on the pitch, scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists in just 29 games during his debut season in the Middle East.
3. Riyad Mahrez | 1.03 million Euros per week:
Image Credit: Sofoot.com
Riyad Mahrez ranks third on this list, but he trails significantly behind the top two in earnings, nearly 50% of what Benzema makes. Even so, his 8.3 million euros salary at Manchester City now seems like pocket change compared to the eye-watering sum he is earning at Al-Ahli.
Riyad Mahrez to Al Ahli, here we go! The documents are being exchanged as Man City and Al Ahli want the deal signed by the end of the week. 🚨🟢🇸🇦 #AlAhli
Mahrez will sign until June 2027 — Man City will receive €35m fee with add ons included.
Now making more than Five times his City wages, the Algerian international continues to showcase the same dazzling skill in Saudi Arabia that Premier League fans enjoyed weekly. With 12 goals and 14 assists at the time of writing, he is proving his worth, even if Al-Ahli fell short of winning Saudi Pro League title in his debut season.
4. Sadio Mane | 769k euros Per Week:
Image Credit: Rousingthekop
Sadio Mane's time at Bayern Munich can fairly be described as pathetic. The Senegalese forward, who once tortured Premier League defenses with Liverpool and Southampton, struggled to find favor in Bavaria. His difficult spells even included a physical argument with teammate Leroy Sane.
Sadio Mané to Al Nassr, here we go! Deal in place between the two clubs, Bayern have accepted the verbal proposal after advanced talks yesterday 🟡🔵🇸🇦
Paperwork to be checked on player side and then medical will be booked, deal will be done.
As a result, securing a move away from the Allianz Arena become Mane's top priority. He ultimately signed for Al-Nassr, joining forces with Cristiano Ronaldo. The 32-year-old penned a deal reportedly with around 34 million euros per year, placing him just ahead of another former Premier League star.
5. Kalidou Koulibaly | 667k euros Per Week:
Saudi’s Al-Hilal sign Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea | Indian Express.com
Chelsea fans were confident they had found the perfect defensive partner for Thiago Silva in Kalidou Koulibaly, even handing him John Terry's iconic number. However, the Senegalese defender endured a challenging spell at Stamford Bridge and was moved on in 2023 for 20 million euros.
Since joining Al-Hilal, Koulibaly has been a steady presence at the back, leaving his Premier struggles behind to help guide his new team to the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League title.
Earning around 295,000 euros per week in Chelsea, the 33-year-old nearly doubted his wages with the move. In an interview, he even admitted that the amazing financial offer played a major role in his decision.
"I can’t deny it. With this money, I will be able to help my whole family to live well, from my parents to my cousins"
11 players who have won the most trophies in football history
Argentine legend Lionel Messi has won the most trophies in football history (46). Here are the other 10 players who follow him on this list most successful football history.
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.
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 with the 2004 UEFA Champions League Trophy for FC Porto.
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.
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.
Di Maria kissing the FIFA World CUP 2022 Trophy | Image - Mundo Deportivo
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.
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.
#
Achievement
Year(s)
Team
Count
1
World Cup Winner
2022
Argentina
1
2
Copa América Winner
23/24, 20/21
Argentina
2
3
Champions League Winner
13/14
Real Madrid
1
4
Spanish Champion
11/12
Real Madrid
1
5
French Champion
Multiple Years
Paris Saint-Germain
5
6
UEFA Supercup Winner
14/15
Real Madrid
1
7
French Cup Winner
Multiple Years
Paris Saint-Germain
4
8
Spanish Cup Winner
13/14, 10/11
Real Madrid
2
9
French League Cup Winner
Multiple Years
Paris Saint-Germain
4
10
Spanish Super Cup Winner
12/13
Real Madrid
1
11
Portuguese Champion
09/10
SL Benfica
1
12
Portuguese League Cup Winner
Multiple Years
SL Benfica
3
13
Under-20 World Cup Champion
2007
Argentina U20
1
14
CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions Winner
21/22
Argentina
1
15
French Super Cup Winner
Multiple Years
Paris Saint-Germain
5
16
Olympic Medalist
2008
Argentina Olympic Team
1
17
Portuguese Super Cup Winner
2024
SL Benfica
1
Total Titles
35
8. Cristiano Ronaldo (35 trophies)
Ronaldo with his latest trophy for Al-Nassr FC.
Arguably one of the greatest players in the history of football, Cristiano Ronaldo has 35 trophies in his cabinet at the moment. The Portuguese legend won his latest trophy for Al-Nassr FC as he helped them win the United Arab Club Champions Cup 2023.
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.
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 Euro Cup with Portugal in 2016. Beside scoring over 900 career goals, Ronaldo's success for every team is what makes him a legend.
#
Achievement
Year(s)
Club/National Team
1
European Champion
2016
Portugal
2
Champions League Winner
17/18, 16/17, 15/16, 13/14, 07/08
Real Madrid, Manchester United
3
FIFA Club World Cup Winner
2018, 2017, 2015, 2009
Real Madrid, Manchester United
4
English Champion
08/09, 07/08, 06/07
Manchester United
5
Spanish Champion
16/17, 11/12
Real Madrid
6
Italian Champion
19/20, 18/19
Juventus FC
7
UEFA Supercup Winner
17/18, 16/17, 14/15
Real Madrid
8
Winner UEFA Nations League
2019
Portugal
9
English FA Cup Winner
2004
Manchester United
10
Spanish Cup Winner
13/14, 10/11
Real Madrid
11
Italian Cup Winner
20/21
Juventus FC
12
English League Cup Winner
2009, 2006
Manchester United
13
Spanish Super Cup Winner
17/18, 12/13
Real Madrid
14
Italian Super Cup Winner
20/21, 18/19
Juventus FC
15
English Super Cup Winner
07/08
Manchester United
16
Portuguese Super Cup Winner
2003
Sporting CP
17
Arab Club Champions Cup
2023
Al-Nassr
Total Trophies
35
7. Ryan Giggs (37 trophies)
Gigs with the Champions League title for Manchester United.
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.
Busquets showing off his trophies from Treble winning season.
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.
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.
Maxwell won four consecutive Ligue 1 titles with PSG.
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.
Pique showing off his trophies from Treble winning season.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dani Alves celebrating the Olympic Gold medal in Tokyo. Image | sportstar
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.
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.
#
Achievement
Year(s)
Team
1
Copa América Winner
18/19, 06/07
Brazil
2
Champions League Winner
14/15, 10/11, 08/09
FC Barcelona
3
FIFA Club World Cup Winner
2016, 2012, 2010
FC Barcelona
4
Spanish Champion
15/16, 14/15, 12/13, 10/11, 09/10, 08/09
FC Barcelona
5
Italian Champion
16/17
Juventus FC
6
French Champion
18/19, 17/18
Paris Saint-Germain
7
Uefa Supercup Winner
15/16, 11/12, 09/10, 06/07
FC Barcelona, Sevilla FC
8
Uefa Cup Winner
06/07, 05/06
Sevilla FC
9
Spanish Cup Winner
15/16, 14/15, 11/12, 08/09, 06/07
FC Barcelona, Sevilla FC
10
Italian Cup Winner
16/17
Juventus FC
11
French Cup Winner
17/18
Paris Saint-Germain
12
Spanish Super Cup Winner
13/14, 11/12, 10/11, 09/10, 07/08
FC Barcelona, Sevilla FC
13
French League Cup Winner
17/18
Paris Saint-Germain
14
Confederations Cup Winner
2013, 2009
Brazil
15
Under-20 World Cup Champion
2003
Brazil U20
16
French Super Cup Winner
17/18
Paris Saint-Germain
17
Olympic Medalist
2021
Brazil Olympic Team
18.
Copa do Nordeste
2002
Bahia
19.
Campeonato Paulista
2021
São Paulo
Total Titles
43
1. Lionel Messi (46 trophies)
Messi celebrating the FIFA World Cup 2022 victory.
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.
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.
#
Achievement
Year(s)
Team
Count
1
World Cup Winner
2022
Argentina
1
2
Copa América Winner
23/24, 20/21
Argentina
2
3
Champions League Winner
Multiple Years
FC Barcelona
4
4
FIFA Club World Cup Winner
Multiple Years
FC Barcelona
3
5
Spanish Champion
Multiple Years
FC Barcelona
10
6
French Champion
22/23, 21/22
Paris Saint-Germain
2
7
UEFA Supercup Winner
Multiple Years
FC Barcelona
3
8
Spanish Cup Winner
Multiple Years
FC Barcelona
7
9
Spanish Super Cup Winner
Multiple Years
FC Barcelona
8
10
Supporters' Shield Winner
23/24
Inter Miami CF
1
11
Leagues Cup Winner
2023
Inter Miami CF
1
12
Under-20 World Cup Champion
2005
Argentina U20
1
13
CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions Winner
21/22
Argentina
1
14
French Super Cup Winner
22/23
Paris Saint-Germain
1
15
Olympic Medalist
2008
Argentina Olympic Team
1
Total Titles
46
Note: Debangshu Biswas first wrote this article and then got updated by Koushik Biswas. Stats are taken from Transfermakrt.com and accurate as of 19-01-2025
Who Has the Most Assists in Champions League History? Ronaldo, Di Maria, Messi and More
Cristiano Ronaldo is the player with the most goals and assists in Champions League history. Angel di Mari and Lionel Messi follow him in the list of players with the most assists in Champions League history.
Numerous World-Class Stars enlightened the field with goal creation during those famous European nights, without whom such world-class goals would never have been scored. Thus, along with those stunning goals, it's important to know about the players who produce those assists. In this article, we will discuss about the players with most assist in Champions League history.
Most assist in Champions League history
There were many star players on the list, so it's not easy to discuss all of them in one go. But it's possible to discuss some of them. Let's analyze the top ten players with the most assists in the history of the UEFA Champions League:
10. Kevin de Bruyne, 29 Assists
De Bruyne with the Champions League Trophy. Image | AP News
Kevin De Bruyne is known for playing the superb ball into dangerous areas to create high-quality or great chances for his teammates. His quick thinking and passing skills put his name in the 10th position on the list of most assists in the history of the Champions League.
Iniesta with the Champions League Trophy. Image | Punch Newspapers
Like his partner in crime Xavi Hernandez, Iniesta also has his name on the list of most assists in Champions League history, just one behind his former teammate Xavi who had 29 UCL assists.
The Spaniard became the first man to create a goal in three separate Champions League finals. The Barcelona legend played 130 Champions League matches and won the title four times along with the Sextuple in 2009.
Benzema with the Champions League Trophy. Image | Sporting News India
Best known for his goalscoring ability, Karim Benzema became the oldest player to score consecutive hat-tricks in the Champions League in 2022/23. The Frenchman made a total of 29 assists in his overall Champions League Career while playing for Olympique Lyon and Real Madrid.
Benzema played in 152 Champions League games and was part of the famous B-B-C combination which made Real Madrid one of the greatest teams of the modern era.
Muller with the Champions League Trophy. Image | Twitter
Thomas Muller is one of the most consistent performers in Bayern Munich. Regarded as one of the most underrated players in football history, Muller till now has managed 30 assists in the Champions League.
He managed to win the Champions League twice with Bayern Munich in 2012-13 and 2019-20 respectively. Muller holds the 7th position on the list with the most assists in Champions League history.
Xavi with the Champions League Trophy. Image | Pinterest
A superb youth product of Barcelona like Messi, Xavi Hernandez could be considered one of the all-time best midfielders in Football history.
The Spaniard played a record 767 games for a single club, Barcelona. He is popularly known for his knack for playing crucial passes for his teammates and ended up providing 200 assists, out of which 30 are from the Champions League.
Giggs with the Champions League Trophy. Image | The Independent
He appeared in the Champions League 145 times and assisted 30 times in his Champions League career. He is the academy product of Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United Team and played a key part in the 1999 and 2008 Champions League triumphs.
Gigs is a true legend and could be considered an all-time great in European Football history. Throughout his Champions League Career, he had represented Manchester United only.
4. Neymar, 33 Assists
Neymar with the Champions League Trophy. Image | PSG Talk
Neymar is regarded as one of the best players in modern football. He won the treble with Barcelona in the 2014/15 season. Neymar, with his tricky skills, managed to assist 33 times precisely for his teammates in his entire Champions League career.
The Brazilian played for Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League. Neymar is the youngest player on the list and could possibly make a comeback in the European Club football.
3. Lionel Messi, 40 Assists
Messi with the Champions League Trophy. Image | TNT Sports
Messi is undoubtedly one of the greatest passers in world football, but it took seven matches for him to get the first Champions League assist.
In his illustrious Champions League Career, he played for Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain and holds the third position in the list of the top 10 most assists in the history of the Champions League with 40 assists.
Di Maria with the Champions League Trophy. Image | The Times
Di Maria holds the second position on the list with 41 assists. During his entire Champions League career, he played for top clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG, and Benfica. Although, he managed to win the competition just once.
His most recent goal-creation against AS Monaco for Benfica took him one ahead of his friend Messi. Though he is 36 now, he still has time to claim the top spot because he is just one behind Ronaldo.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, 42 Assists
Cristiano Ronaldo with the Champions League Trophy. Image | Goal India. Com
Discussing the Champions League and "MR Champions League" is not on the list that is not possible! Though Cristiano is popularly known for his goal-scoring ability, the Portuguese International also tops the list in goal creation for his teammates in Europe's most prestigious competition.
Ronaldo tops the list with 42 assists and played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus in the process while winning the title five times. Not to forget he also has the record for most goals in the Champions League (140) as well.
So that concludes the Top 10 List for the Most Assists in the History of Champions League. There are other names that also deserve credit in terms of the best European talents and brilliant assist makers we have ever witnessed like Cesc Fabregas, Luis Suarez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and many more.
However, they remain just beyond the players mentioned on the list. Who is your favourite assist maker in the world of football? Let me know.
Follow Us/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/4b390af18895b0ef7baecaafcf0edd999c9583e7a9525650c33738d0c2ff58b4.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/db229a5ace25c2bbb29499c9b5d145dfbbcd6a167e0cfb78e8076762c9dfbddd.jpeg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/IdZFbQEDExJtt5Jpbl0h.jpeg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/8U3cXUrRuI5vX5dj19FY.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/O6VnH7rV8kG0aNjvG9DO.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/4OA30ez9WdoEfrqp3fOo.webp)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/94nH5f8nmbxmP5T1x8Ff.webp)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2X12HtHzVuk1U7PvN1tu.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2015/06/07/1608439-34166200-2560-1440.jpg)
