The greatest footballers of the 21st century have been ranked by the football magazine FourFourTwo using various metrics and calculations. We take a look at the top ten greatest footballers of the 21st century.
Luis Suarez's arrival at Liverpool in January 2011 passed with little fanfare, overshadowed as it was by the £35m deal that brought Andy Carroll to Anfield on the very same day. The pair haven't been mentioned in the same sentence since.
It took Suarez a little while to get going at Liverpool, but once he did he was sensational. The Uruguayan almost dragged the Reds to Premier League title success in 2013/14, scoring 31 non-penalty goals in 33 games.
Suarez got even better at Barcelona, where his 198 goals contributed to four league title triumphs and Champions League glory in 2015. He subsequently won another La Liga crown with Atletico Madrid, where he's averaging better than a goal every two matches.
AC Milan spent just €8.5m on Kaka in 2003, making him cheaper than one of Silvio Berlusconi's 'Bunga Bunga parties. He hit the ground running at San Siro, scoring 14 goals in his maiden campaign as Carlo Ancelotti's talented team won the Serie A title.
A bigger prize would follow in the form of the Champions League in 2007, the same year Kaka was crowned the world's best player by the Ballon d'Or voters.
Combining flair and finesse with pace and power, Kaka in full flight was a sight to behold. Knee injuries dulled his acceleration and his time at Real Madrid was mostly disappointing, but for a while the Brazilian was the cream of the crop.
There have been times in Neuer's career when he's seemed more sweeper than keeper. His performance against Algeria at the 2014 World Cup remains the high point for the ever-growing crop of custodians that are willing to vacate the penalty area and snuff out danger higher up the pitch.
Make no mistake, though: Neuer was and is a marvelous conventional goalkeeper. Sharp reflexes, an imposing presence and astute positioning: it's difficult for even the best strikers in the world to score past him.
Neuer was arguably Germany's best player during that aforementioned triumphant World Cup campaign. He's also won nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions Leagues with Bayern Munich, for whom he's now racked up more than 450 appearances.
Widely regarded as the greatest player in Premier League history, Henry joined Arsenal from Juventus a few months before the dawn of the 21st century. After being "re-taught everything about the art of striking" by Arsene Wenger, Henry was ready to wreak havoc on England's top flight.
The Frenchman broke the 30-goal barrier for five seasons on the bounce between 2001 and 2006. He notched a total of 226 goals in an Arsenal shirt and was a creator of chances as well as a converter of them.
Henry won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups in north London, before a three-year stint at Barcelona brought him the Champions League trophy that he so craved.
You cannot make a list of the Greatest footballers of the 21st century without Zidane in it. Voted as the Player of the Tournament at Euro 2000, Zidane started the 21st century as he meant to go on. After one final season at Juventus, Real Madrid happily broke the world-record transfer fee to sign him in 2001.
He may have worn No.5 on his back at the Bernabeu but Zidane was one of the greatest No.10s of all time. His debut season ended with a stunning volley in the Champions League final, as Madrid saw off Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow.
Supremely skilful and effortlessly elegant, Zizou only ever won one La Liga title - but the blame for that underachievement lay nowhere near the Frenchman's door.
The final act of his career was to headbutt Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final, but his performances throughout that tournament will live long in the memory of all who witnessed them.
Judging by his wide eyes and toothy grin, Ronaldinho had as much fun on the pitch as those of us who were fortunate to watch him.
The Brazilian magician was a gloriously entertaining footballer. With his swiveling hips, fast feet and inventive imagination, Ronaldinho was essential viewing during his peak years at Barcelona.
For a period in the mid-2000s he was the best player in the world. In 2005/06 and 2006/07 Ronaldinho scored 50 goals from attacking midfield, helping Barcelona win the Champions League in the process.
Unfortunately Ronaldinho wasn't able to sustain that level for long, and his career eventually tailed off back in Brazil. Yet anyone who loves football will surely agree that it's better to celebrate what he gave us than lament the fact it ended relatively quickly.
Xavi wasn't particularly strong, quick or powerful. He didn't score many goals and he wasn't much of a tackler. Yet the Spaniard, a true pass master, is one of the best midfielders the game has ever seen.
Xavi only ever lent the ball to others. He was the fulcrum of the great Barcelona and Spain sides, dictating the tempo and orchestrating the play from the centre of the park. Everything went through Xavi, whose crowded mantelpiece features three Champions League winner's medals, plus one from the World Cup, two from the Euros and eight from La Liga.
"Combine, pass, play. That's football," he once said. It sounds simple and Xavi made it look that way, but no one else could do it as well as him.
"You will retire me," Pep Guardiola once told Xavi Hernandez while watching a 15-year-old Iniesta at the Nike Cup. "But this kid will retire us both."
It didn't quite turn out that way, with Iniesta instead forming one of football's greatest ever double acts with Xavi. But Guardiola was right to set such high expectations for a player who would go on to win everything with Barcelona and Spain.
Iniesta scored fewer than 100 goals in his senior career, but pure numbers don't do him justice. A big-game player who turned up when it mattered most, Iniesta's 360-degree vision, precise passing and dazzling footwork made him a joy to watch.
No player in the history of the game has scored as many goals as Ronaldo, who's made the net bulge no fewer than 807 times for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Portugal.
Ronaldo started out life as a thrilling, if inconsistent, winger. It was under Alex Ferguson's tutelage at Old Trafford that he began his transformation into a deadly central striker, with the Portuguese notching 42 goals in a superb campaign in 2007/08.
That would have been a low-scoring season in his Real Madrid pomp. By the time of his move to the Bernabeu in 2009, Ronaldo was dribbling less and shooting more. The result was a phenomenal scoring record which helped Madrid win the Champions League in four years out of five in the mid-to late-2010s.
Ronaldo has also scooped seven league titles, a European Championship with Portugal and five Ballons d'Or. Not bad for a player who was dismissed as a "show pony" in those early United years.
In the mid-2000s there were murmurings about an astonishingly gifted young Argentine in the Barcelona academy, but no one could have envisaged Messi being so good for so long.
Let's start with the numbers: 761 goals (and counting) for clubs and country, 325 assists, 22 major trophies and seven Ballons d'Or.
Yet even such remarkable figures don't tell the whole story. To truly appreciate Messi's genius you have to watch him weave in and out of challenges with the ball tied to his left foot, split open opposition defences with a perfectly weighted through-ball, or leave yet another goalkeeper sprawled out on the turf after having the ball impudently dinked over him.
It's not just his technical ability that's extraordinary: Messi almost always makes the right decision, evidencing an unparalleled intelligence that sets him apart as much as his natural talent. Simply the best and the Greatest footballers of the 21st century.
Top 10: Most Free-kick Goals In Football History (Updated)
Lionel Messi, with his stunning free-kick goal against FC Porto for Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, has now moved up to the third position in the top 10 list of most free-kick goals in football history.
Free kicks or set pieces are one of the most effective methods to score a goal. However, it is also the hardest thing in football. But be it from outside the box or 30 yards from the box, free-kicks are one of the most beautiful things to watch in football when done correctly.
In this article, today we will list the player with the most free-kick goals in football history.
Who has scored the most free-kick goals?
This is a regular question asked in football quizzes. To give your answer, it is Juninho Pernambucano from Brazil who has scored the most free-kick goals. He has scored 77 free-kick goals in his career.
Most Free-Kick Goals: Messi or Ronaldo?
Whenever one discusses any football record, you can not leave Messi and Ronaldo out of it. At least, the fans can not leave it out. So, who has scored the most free-kick goals? Messi or Ronaldo?
Lionel Messi has overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of the most free-kick goals scored. Messi now has 66 free-kick goals, whereas Cristiano has 64 free-kick goals.
If we break down the records of both Messi and Ronaldo, Messi has only 5 Champions League goals from the dead ball, and Ronaldo has 12. Messi has scored 57 free-kick goals in his club career, while Ronaldo has 53 against his name.
The Premier League is said to be one of the toughest places to play football. Many greats have failed in the Premier League; however, many have flourished in the league as a legend of the game.
David Beckham has scored the most goals by a free-kick in Premier League history. He has scored as many as 18 times from the dead ball in his Premier League career.
Here is the list of players with the most free-kick goals in the Premier League-
Juninho has scored the most free-kick goals in football history.
Known as the magnificent 7, Juninho was the best when it came to scoring from a dead-ball situation. The former Olympique Lyonnais legend and midfielder scored as many as 77 goals from set-pieces. Juninho is considered the greatest free-kick taker of all time.
He was also the inventor of the knuckle-ball technique shoots as well.
#2 Pele - 70 free-kick goals
Pele taking a free-kick in 1966. Image | X
The king of football, Pele, has scored 70 goals from set pieces. Pele could bend the ball both ways with fierce power.
Moreover, his immense game knowledge to out-think the goalkeeper helped him net the ball more often than not. The Brazilian striker's 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which include friendlies, are recognised as a Guinness World Record.
#3 Lionel Messi: 68 Free-kick goals
There is hardly any top 10 attacking list or record in football where you will not find the Argentine maestro, Lionel Messi. Although before 2014, Messi was not considered prolific from the dead ball, he has just proved everyone wrong with his free-kick record since then.
Till now, the Argentinian legend has scored 68 free-kick goals. 57 of those have come for the clubs he has played and 11 for Argentina.
More than that, Messi now has scored a free-kick in every 16.3 match, which speaks volumes for his accuracy from the deadball position.
The Argentine from the 1970s is considered to be the greatest player in Mendoza football. Along with his stunning shooting ability, Victor was known for his 12 Olympic Goals for Argentina as well. There is a stadium named after him in Argentina.
#5 Ronaldinho- 66 free-kick goals
Ronaldinho scored 66 free-kick goals in his career. Image | Goal
The magician from Brazil was brilliant from any position. Ronaldinho had everything as a footballer. Hence, having the skill to net the ball from a distance was also in his armoury. The Brazilian legend scored 66 goals from set-pieces in his career.
David Beckham taking the famous free-kick that took England to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The famous phrase, "Bend it like Beckham", suggests how good Beckham was when it came to scoring from a free-kick. Beckham scored 65 goals from set-pieces in his career. His free-kick to take England to the 2002 FIFA World Cup is still cherished as one of the best moments in English football.
With his latest free-kick goal in the Saudi Pro League 2024 against Al-Fayha FC, Ronaldo has now moved to the seventh position in the most free-kick goals list. The Portuguese legend now has 64 free-kick goals against his name. With this free-kick goal, Ronaldo now has scored a free-kick goal every season since 2003-04.
Ronaldo till now has scored 53 free-kick goals for the clubs he has featured for and 11 for his national team, Portugal. He has now scored a free-kick in every 20.0 games.
#8 Diego Maradona- 62 free-kick goals
Maradona taking a free-kick in the 1986 FIFA World Cup
The legend of Argentine football is one of the best in the history of the game. Maradona scored nearly 20% of his career goals with free-kicks. His free-kick against Juventus for Napoli is known as the 'Divine Free-Kick'. Diego scored 62 goals from set pieces in his career.
#9 Zico - 62 free-kick goals
Image | Facebook
Brazilian legend Zico scored 62 free-kick goals in his career. He was very accurate in his shooting skills. Zico is considered one of the world's best players of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The attacking midfielder was very accurate with his kicks. Along with his accuracy, his languid run-up was very famous in his era.
The former Barcelona player and manager is known as one of the highest-scoring defenders of all time. The Dutch defensive midfielder also had his share of success with Ajax.
Koeman has scored nearly 25% of his goals with free-kicks. He is one of the high-scoring defenders in his era. Koeman scored 215 goals in his career and is one of the highest-scoring defenders ever.
#11 Rogerio Ceni - 59 goals
To the shock of everyone, Ceni was a goalkeeper and he has scored 59 goals from dead-ball situations in his career. Ceni is the highest-scoring goalkeeper in the history of the game. He has scored 131 goals in his career.
Except for one goal, all of them came from penalties and free-kicks. The Brazilian played for 25 years, most of that for São Paulo.
Marcelinho is nicknamed "Pé-de-Anjo" for his accuracy with free-kicks. The attacking midfielder from Brazil has collected more trophies with Corinthians than any other player in their history. However, Marcelinho failed to feature in any World Cup matches for Brazil. Marcelinho has 505 goals in his career.
FIFA Club World Cup: Past Winners, Top Scores, Most Successful teams
From champions to individual dominance, get the ultimate guide to the FIFA Club World Cup's history. Dive into a complete list of past winners, top scorers, most successful teams in this prestigious global tournament.
What does it truly mean to be a world champion club? The FIFA Club World Cup provides the answer, pitting the best against one another in a quest for global dominance.
As the 21st edition of Club World Cup is ongoing, with highly competitive and strong clubs fighting for the ultimate glory, it is time to look back at the history of this tournament.
This article will explore all the past winners, top scorers, most successful teams, all at once.
FIFA Club World Cup: Past Winners
Manchester City FC celebrating their 2023 FIFA CWC win. Image | AP News
The FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament designed to crown the world's best club team, first took place in 2000. It then paused for several years, from 2001 through 2004, before returning as an annual event.
Now, 2025 marks the beginning of an entirely new era for the Club World Cup, featuring an expanded format and a fresh vision for global club football.
Check out the past winners list below:
Year
Host
Winner
Score
Runners-up
2000
Brazil
Corinthians
0-0
(4-3 p)
Vasco da Gama
2005
Japan
Sao Paulo
1-0
Liverpool
2006
Japan
Internacional
1-0
Barcelona
2007
Japan
AC Milan
4-2
Boca Juniors
2008
Japan
Manchester United
1-0
LDU Quito
2009
United Arab Emirates
Barcelona
2-1
Estudiantes
2010
United Arab Emirates
Inter Milan
3-0
TP Mazembe
2011
Japan
Barcelona
4-0
Santos
2012
Japan
Corinthians
1-0
Chelsea
2013
Morocco
Bayern Munich
2-0
Raja CA
2014
Morocco
Real Madrid
2-0
San Lorenzo
2015
Japan
Barcelona
3-0
River Plate
2016
Japan
Real Madrid
4-2
Kashima Antlers
2017
United Arab Emirates
Real Madrid
1-0
Gremio
2018
United Arab Emirates
Real Madrid
4-1
Al-Ain
2019
Qatar
Liverpool
1-0
Flamengo
2020
Qatar
Bayern Munich
1-0
UANL
2021
United Arab Emirates
Chelsea
2-1
Palmeiras
2022
Morocco
Real Madrid
5-3
Al-Hilal
2023
Saudi Arabia
Manchester City
4-0
Fluminense
FIFA Club World Cup: Top Scorers
Cristiano Ronaldo with FIFA CWC Golden Boot in 2016. Image | Eurosport
Here comes the elite list where individual dominance shines:
Player
Position
Teams
Seasons
Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo
Centre-Forward
Manchester United, Real Madrid
4
7
Karim Benzema
Centre-Forward
Real Madrid, Al-Ittihad
6
6
Gareth Bale
Right Winger
Real Madrid
3
6
Cesar Delgado
Right Winger
CF Monterrey
3
5
Lionel Messi
Right Winger
Barcelona
4
5
Luis Suarez
Centre-Forward
Barcelona
2
5
FIFA Club World Cup: Most Successful Teams
Real Madrid celebrating their 5th CWC win in 2022. Image | ESPN India
Real Madrid holds the tag of most successful team in FIFA Club World Cup history with 5 titles. Check out the other clubs that follow:
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 (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.
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.
#
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, 2025
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
Every single trophy Cristiano Ronaldo has won in his career
Cristiano Ronaldo, till now, has won 36 major trophies in his career, among which two came for Portugal and the rest for his clubs. Today, in this article, we will discuss every single trophy Cristiano Ronaldo has won in his career.
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.
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.
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.
International Trophy
Year
European Championship
2016
UEFA Nations League
2019, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo's club trophies
Ronaldo with the UCL trophy in 2008.
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.
Crisitano Ronaldo after winning his fifth UCL trophy of his career.
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.
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.
Fabian Ruiz takes his chance with a left-footed effort from the outside of the box.
It was bit akward for Costa. But, he made a good save going down to his left.
Jun 8, 2025, 8:15 PM
54' | Mendes is a beast
Nuno Mendes has been clinical against Yamal so far. He has won all the battles against the wonderkid. Portugal dominating, but Spain are looking relaxed.
Neto was looking for Ronaldo with the lobbed cross, but Spain defenders had cut the angle for him. The cross went over the goal
Jun 8, 2025, 7:34 PM
33' | Yellow card
Yellow card for Ruiz for fouling Pedro Neto, to stop Portugal's counterattack.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:30 PM
29' | Chance for Nico
Yamal again picked out Nico inside the box with a lobbed ball. But with Costa coming in, Nico could not be on target with the defection.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:28 PM
VAR check
A VAR check was done to check if Ronaldo was offside, leading to the goal. Goal given.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:28 PM
26' | MMMMMEEEENNNNNNNNNDESSSSS | POR 1-1 ESP
Nuno Mendes equalises for Portugal.
A quick one and two, and Nuno Mendes, with the space given at the left of the box, struck powerfully to score his first-ever International goal.
Portugal 1-1 Spain.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:26 PM
25' | Excellent from Dias
Cucurella found Nico on the left. As Nico was making an entry inside the box, Dias won the physical battle and won the goal kick for Portugal as well.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:24 PM
21' | ZZUUUUUUUBBIIIIIMMMEEENDDDIIII | POR 0-1 ESP
Martin Zubimendi scores for Spain.
Yamal's lobbed ball for Nico was not cleared well by Portugal defenders and Costa. Zubimendi, at the right place at the right time, just tapped the ball inside the goal for Spain's first.
Portugal 0-1 Spain
Jun 8, 2025, 7:22 PM
Yamal shows his trick as well
Jun 8, 2025, 7:21 PM
The master showing how it is done!
Jun 8, 2025, 7:20 PM
19' | Yellow card
Yellow card for Inácio for an elbow on Oyarzabal.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:18 PM
17' | So close
Yamal's cross pass found Nico on the left. Nico made a quick cut back before going for the goal with a curling right-footed shot.
But the ball did not curl enough for him to give Spain the lead.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:18 PM
17' | So close
Yamal's cross pass found Nico on the left. Nico made a quick cut back before going for the goal with a curling right-footed shot.
But the ball did not curl enough for him to give Spain the lead.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:16 PM
15' | He should have scored
Nico with an accurate cut-back pass, Pedri, running at it, missed the goal with the effort.
Hue miss.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:14 PM
14' | Yamal misses the tager
Pedri left it for the 17-year-old to go for the goal with the free-kick. His kick went over the goal.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:13 PM
13' | Yamal is here
As I was saying, Yamal runs through Silva and Mendes, Silva stopped him, he won the ball again and won a free-kick from the edge of the box as Bruno fouled him.
Jun 8, 2025, 7:11 PM
10' | Patience game
Both teams are waiting for the mistake from other team.
Mendes tried to stitch an attack for Portugal, while Nico and Fermin looked to build up for Spain.
Starting XI: Unai Simón, Robin Le Normand, Fabián Ruiz, Nico Williams, Dean Huijsen, Óscar Mingueza, Martín Zubimendi, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella.
Subs: David Raya, Álex Remiro, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Dani Vivian, Mikel Merino, Álvaro Morata, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Yéremy Pino, Álex Baena, Alejandro Grimaldo, Isco, Fermín López, Samuel Omorodion.
Jun 8, 2025, 5:55 PM
Lineups | Portugal
Lineups: Diogo Costa; João Neves, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes; Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Francisco Conceição, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto.
Subs: José Sá, Rui Silva, Diogo Dalot, Renato Veiga, António Silva, Nélson Semedo, Rodrigo Mora, João Palhinha, Rafael Leão, Rúben Neves, Gonçalo Ramos, Francisco Trincão, Diogo Jota, João Félix, Pedro Gonçalves.
05/09/24: Portugal 2-1 Croatia 08/09/24: Portugal 2-1 Scotland 12/10/24: Poland 1-3 Portugal 15/10/24: Scotland 0-0 Portugal 15/11/24: Portugal 5-1 Poland 18/11/24: Croatia 1-1 Portugal 20/03/25: Denmark 1-0 Portugal 23/03/25: Portugal 5-2 Denmark (agg: 5-3, aet) 04/06/25: Germany 1-2 Portugal
Jun 8, 2025, 5:04 PM
Portugal vs Spain: Head-to-head stats
Team
Wins
Draws
Matches
Goals Scored
Spain
18
6
40
47
Portugal
16
6
40
81
Jun 8, 2025, 5:04 PM
Tonight's Venue | Munich Football arena
Jun 8, 2025, 5:02 PM
How to watch the match?
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.