There is a popular quote stating that "attack wins you games, defence wins you titles". The saying couldn't have been more perfect. Although every team needs a quality defender who will not let the other team score, goal-scoring defenders are very rare. Moreover, when it comes to the most elite European Club competition, every goal matters. Let us look at the defenders who have the most Champions League goals to their name.

Also Read: Top 10 Highest scoring Defenders in the 21st century

Top 5 Defenders with the most Champions League goals:

#5 Ronald Koeman (13 Goals)

The former Barcelona defender Ronaldo Koeman features at number 5 in this list of defenders with the most Champions League goals having scored 13 goals in 52 appearances. However, he scored all his goals in the Champions League for three different clubs. He scored 4 goals out of the 13 in the European Cup and the rest 9 in the Champions League.

European Cup goals breakdown: 1 goal for Barcelona in 11 appearances. 3 goals for PSV in 12 appearances.
Champions League goals breakdown: 8 goals for Barcelona in 12 appearances in the 93/94 season. 1 goal for Barcelona in 8 appearances in 8 appearances in the 94/95 season.

#4 Ivan Helguera (15 Goals)

Iván Helguera Bujía is a Spanish former footballer. He played as either a central defender or defensive midfielder and had excellent defensive and offensive skills. He scored 15 goals in 87 appearances for Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. However, he joined Valencia CF in the latter stages of his career. His best season in the UCL was in the 2000-2001 season where he scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists in 14 appearances.

=2 Roberto Carlos (16 Goals)

The explosive Brazilian left-back features at no.2 in the list of defenders with the highest number of goals in the Champions League. Best known for his curved and swirling free-kick, the Brazilian represented two different clubs in the Champions League. However, he scored all of his 16 goals for the Los Blancos.

Roberto Carlos scored 16 goals in 120 appearances in the UCL and also provided 25 assists in the meantime. Although he has 13 appearances for Fenerbahce SK from 2007-09 in the UCL, he failed to register his name on the scoresheet.

2. Gerard Pique (16 Goals)

The ever-dependable Barcelona legend Gerard Pique also has 16 goals in 128 appearances under his belt. Pique scored his goals in the Champions League for two different clubs, Manchester United and FC Barcelona.

Champions League goals breakdown:
For Barcelona - 14 goals in 118 appearances from 2008-2023.
For Manchester United - 2 goals in 4 appearances from 2004-2008.

Also Read: 10 players who have won the most trophies in football history

#1 Sergio Ramos (17 Goals)

Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is the only defender this century to crack 100 goals, clocking in with 126 in 890 games. On the other hand, when it comes to the Champions League the Spaniard is also on the list of highest-scoring defenders.

The Famous 92:48

Ramos always had a knack for scoring match-winning goals. His 93rd-minute (92:48) header for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final helped the Los Blancos equalise and eventually win the title.

He has netted the ball 15 times in 129 appearances for the Los Blancos. Ramos also provided 8 assists and played a whopping 11,399 minutes in the Royal Whites. The current Sevilla defender has netted two goals and assisted once in the Champions League for his current team and became the defender with the most Champions League goals.

N.B. The stats are accurate as of October 21, 2021.

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.

The Champions League has always been a huge honour for any team. Teams like Real Madrid have won the trophy as many as 15 times while AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Ajax and Bayern Munich have won found success in Europe's biggest club competition. 

As a result, the players from such elite teams as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, and AC Milan dominate the charts of players with the most Champions League titles.

Also Read: Most Champions League titles won by Football Clubs

Players who have won the most Champions League titles

Iconic Real Madrid left-winger Paco Gento used to hold the record for the most Champions League titles by a player. He has won six trophies in his 18 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, Real Madrid legends Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric and Nacho have equalled his record and became the only players to win six Champions League titles in the UCL era. 

Former Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is tied up at 5 UCL titles with players like Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Larence Seedorf as well as other Real Madrid giants in Hector Rial and Marquitos, Lucas Vázquez, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and a few others.

Also Read: Top 5 Defenders with the Most Champions League Goals

Former Barcelona superstars, Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, and Gerard Pique won four titles as a player. 

List of Players who have won more than four UCL titles:

El Clasico is one of football’s biggest rivalries, between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Over the years, they’ve played many exciting and emotional matches, full of great goals and big moments. With stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Roberto Carlos, these games are always packed with talent and drama.

10. Real Madrid 5-0 FC Barcelona, 1995

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

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 Bale secured the victory for Real Madrid. It marked their 19th Copa del Rey title.

8. FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, 2010

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.

Read Also: Barcelona vs Real Madrid trophy battle: Which club has won more trophies

7. FC Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid, 2007

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, while Van Nistelrooy scored twice and Ramos added one for Madrid. A fierce, high-scoring clash that highlighted both teams' firepower.

6. Real Madrid 4-2 FC Barcelona, 2005

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

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

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.

Read Also: Youngest goalscorers in El Clasico: Lamine Yamal breaks 77-year-old record to become the youngest ever

3. Real Madrid 4-2 FC Barcelona, 1988

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

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.

Hello and welcome to another big night of international football. Tonight, we will be covering three out of four UEFA Nations League 2025 quarterfinals. 

This is Koushik Biswas, with the buildup, news, LIVE updates, scores and free commentary of the Netherlands vs Spain UEFA Nations League 2025 Quarter-final 1st Leg match.

In the last six games, the Dutch team have been undefeated but only won two of those six games. In the meantime, the EURO 2024 Champions, Spain, have not lost a single game since lifting the title and have won five out of six games in the UEFA Nations League. 

So, this sets up to be a thrilling counter between two proud footballing nations. Therefore, sit back and relax as we bring you everything on the Netherlands vs Spain match from the web desk. 

Enjoy the coverage. 

The Spanish League, or Laliga, is the second most-viewed football league in the world. It is regarded as one of the top five elite European leagues and has legendary clubs. Many football legends played in this league but only a few of them managed to play for a long duration and hold the record of most matches in Laliga. Here is the list of the top 11 players with the most matches in Laliga.

Top 11 players with the most matches in Laliga history:

11. Lionel Messi | FC Barcelona | 520 Matches

One of the greatest players to ever grace this sport, Lionel Messi ranks 11th in the most matches in Laliga history's list with 520 appearances.

The Argentine forward came to Spain at a very young age and played for FC Barcelona since he was a teenager. The Catalan talisman also holds the record for the most goals in Laliga, with 474 strikes.

Read Also: Lionel Messi Stats: Goals in every calendar year by Messi

10. Antoine Griezmann | FC Barcelona, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid | 520 Matches

Antoine Griezmann has now played 520 matches in Laliga, making him one of the players with the most matches in Laliga history.

The French international has been a pivotal player for both Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, including his short spell in FC Barcelona. Although a player like this has never been crowned with a Laliga title, his dedication to the game has made him one of the greatest players in the league.

Read Also: Most Goals in a La Liga season - Lionel Messi leads the list

9. Manolo Sanchis | Real Madrid CF | 523 Matches

Manolo Sanchis was a Centre-back and represented Real Madrid in 523 matches, making him one of the players with the most matches in Laliga. The legendary defender won the league a total of eight times and also has two Spanish Cups in his cabinet.

8. Sergio Ramos | Real Madrid CF, Sevilla | 536 Matches

Sergio Ramos has made 536 appearances in Laliga, making him the eighth player in this list of the most matches in Laliga history.

The legendary Spanish Centre-back represented Sevilla and then Real Madrid in the competition multiple times. The former Spaniard won four UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

Read Also: Top 5 Defenders with the Most Champions League goals

7. Paco Buyo | Real Madrid, Sevilla, RCD Mallorca, RCD Coruna | 542 Matches

Paco Buyo is one of only two goalkeepers on the list who has played the most matches in Laliga history. He made 542 appearances in Laliga, turning out mostly for Real Madrid. Buyo has a special place in the club's history and won the league title six times with Real Madrid.

6. Eusebio | Real Valladolid, Celta Vigo, FC Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid | 543 Matches

Eusebio is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders, and he played his career's most matches in Laliga. The Spanish midfielder played 543 matches in Laliga, representing four clubs. Eusebio is a FC Barcelona legend, having won four titles with them. He retired from his professional career in 2002 and has since become a manager.

5. Loren Juarros | Real Sociedad, Real Burgos, Athletic Bilbao | 546 Matches

Loren Juarros is a former Spanish footballer and is known for his longevity in Laliga, having played 546 matches in the competition. Primarily a defender, he spent most of his career at Real Sociedad becoming a club legend.

His impressive appearance tally places him among the players with the most matches in Laliga. After retiring, Lorren transitioned into a sporting director role, contributing to Real Sociedad's player recruitment and development plan.

4. Raul | Real Madrid CF | 550 Matches

Raul was one of the most lethal strikers the sport has ever seen. A club legend for Real Madrid, he made over 550 matches and cemented his in the most matches in Laliga history list.

The Spaniard scored 228 goals as well during that time. He won six La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League titles with the club. Currently, he is the manager of Real Madrid Castilla.

3. Raul Garcia | Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, CA Osasuna | 609 Matches

Raul Garcia has carved his place in football history by becoming one of the players with the most matches in Laliga, totaling an incredible 609 appearances.

The Spanish midfielder is known for his versatility and leadership. He played for CA Osasuna, Atletico Madrid, and Athletic Bilbao, leaving a lasting impact at each club. His longevity and consistency made him a key figure in Spanish football.

2. Andoni Zubizarreta | Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Deportivo Alaves, FC Barcelona | 622 Matches

Andoni Zubizarreta made 622 appearances and is the player with the second-most matches in Laliga. The Goalkeeper extensively for Athletic Bilbao, Valencia, Deportivo Alaves, and FC Barcelona.

He won the league a total of six times, four with FC Barcelona and two with Athletic Bilbao. Zubizarreta retired from the sport in 1998. 

1. Joaquin | Real Betis, Malaga CF, and Valencia | 622 Matches

Joaquin holds the record for the most matches in Laliga, with 622 appearances throughout his career. The Spanish winger, known for his time at Real Betis, Valencia, and Malaga CF, surpassed the previous record of 622 matches held by Andoni Zubizarreta.