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Silverware superstars🏆

By Ratul Ghosh

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Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Dani Alves
most decorated footballers

Silverware in football is a big deal for every player. Players strive all their careers to win trophies. Some are more successful than others. Moreover, there are a few who win more than one can imagine. Lionel Messi’s Leagues Cup trophy at Inter Miami, his first with his new club, has now put him at 44 trophies. He is the most decorated football player in the world.  

Marcelo became the most decorated player in Real Madrid history, after Los Blancos won the Champions League. Earlier, the Brazilian had lifted his 24th trophy after Madrid became La Liga champions for the 35th time. However, he still has some catching up to reach the upper echelons. FootTheBall recounts the list of most decorated footballers in-game today.

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10. Xavi- 33 trophies

The current Barcelona manager is one of the most decorated footballers in Spanish history. Xavi was a visionary passing machine who could produce magic out of thin air. Xavi, like Andres Iniesta, was part of the glory years with Barcelona and Spain. Moreover, he was also a serial winner with Al-Sadd in Qatar after leaving Camp Nou. The Qatari club had been transformed by Xavi, first as a player and then as a manager.Barcelona have been rejuvenated under Xavi since he joined as manager, with good signs on the horizon!

=8. Vitor Baia- 34 trophies

The greatest-ever Portuguese goalkeeper, and a legend for Porto. Vitor Baia was the custodian during Porto’s dynastic reign in the 1990s. After a two-year stint with Barcelona, where he won a further five trophies, Baia returned to Porto. The early 2000s proved equally successful for both parties.

Baia was in goal as Porto won the Champions League in 2004 with Jose Mourinho as manager. He retired in 2007 and remains attached to the club as an ambassador.

=8. Cristiano Ronaldo- 34 trophies
One of the most decorated footballers, with clubs and personally. Cristiano Ronaldo is a record-breaker and one of the greatest players ever. He was a part of Manchester United’s dominance in the late-2000s. However, it was with Real Madrid as he continued to dominate over his peers, including a run of three consecutive Champions League titles.

Ronaldo left for Juventus and won further trophies to take his burgeoning tally ever higher. A return to Manchester United has not gone to plan in 2021-22 but Ronaldo has continued scoring. Oh, also, he brought Portugal its two major international trophies as well.

Read also: Possible Cristiano Ronaldo replacements if he leaves Man Utd

6. Ryan Giggs- 34 trophies

The 13-time Premier League winner, Ryan Giggs’ place in terms of silverware is airtight, unlike his personal life. Giggs was a member of the famed ‘Class of 1992.’ He was a bombastic winger who scored mesmerizing goals for fun. It was Giggs’ scuffed shot that Teddy Sheringham converted to start the epic comeback in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final.

In the later years, Giggs transitioned into a more passer of the ball while setting the tempo for the team. The one-club player made close to 1000 appearances for Manchester United before retiring in 2014.

5. Gerard Pique- 36 trophies

A fixture at the back for Barcelona over many years. Gerard Pique was already a league and European winner with Manchester United when he joined the Catalans. With Barcelona, Pique established one of the best centre-back partnerships with Carles Puyol.

Spain’s dominance from 2008-to 2012 brought further success. Pique remains at Barcelona still and has transitioned into a mentor who still offers plenty on the pitch. Moreover, he is also a budding businessman whose company owns FC Andorra.

FC Andorra dream of La Liga and European nights, here’s how they can be a gamechanger!

=4. Andres Iniesta- 37 trophies

The greatest midfield ever assembled in the history of Spanish football and, quite possibly, the world. It could not have been possible without Andres Iniesta. The 2010 World Cup winner (literally), was part of Barcelona’s heydays in the 2000s. Since leaving the Blaugrana, Iniesta has continued balling out for Vissel Kobe in Japan. He has lifted two trophies with the Japanese side, whom he captains with hopes of more in the future.

=4. Maxwell- 37 trophies

The Brazilian left-back is one of the more surprising names on the list. Maxwell’s choice of clubs and timing has been spot on throughout his career. After winning a bunch of silverware with Ajax and Inter in the 2000s, Maxwell joined Barcelona during the years of Pep Guardiola.

He left for PSG in 2012 just as they were starting to establish their stranglehold on the domestic scene and had his most glittering spell there. The French giants have continued their winning ways, but 2021-22 would feel bittersweet. 

=3. Hossam Ashour- 37 trophies

Playing for the greatest team in Egypt has its perks. Hossam Ashour is amongst the most decorated footballers in the world. Al-Ahly are a powerhouse, and Ashour has been part of their success story for almost two decades.

He has won the Egyptian league title a record 13 times. Moreover, six out of Al-Ahly’s nine CAF Champions League victories have come with Ashour. The defensive midfielder will go down in Africa’s history as being an all-time great.

 

2.Dani Alves- 43 trophies

The most decorated of all footballers. Dani Alves has been a winner ever since he started playing in Brazil. He joined Sevilla in the early 2000s and immediately established himself as a starter. Alves won several trophies with the Andalusians, including two UEFA Cups. Barcelona came calling in 2008, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Dani Alves was part of two super teams at Camp Nou with Guardiola and Luis Enrique respectively. The versatile right-back won further silverware with Juventus and PSG before returning to Barcelona in 2022. Internationally, Alves has been winning honours since youth levels. He added the only missing piece to his collection in 2021 by leading Brazil to Gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

1. Lionel Messi- 44 trophies

World Cup was the trophy that eluded the Argentine. Lionel Messi won the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup, and coupled with that he also won the 2022/23 Ligue 1 title. This helped him come one step closer to becoming the most decorated player in football, having tied on 43 now with Dani Alves.

Now with the Leagues Cup victory in the USA, he has surpassed the Brazilian.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner picked up his first league title outside of Barcelona last year with PSG’s Ligue 1 win, and has put in exceptional performances for club and country this season. Lionel Messi has been a great ambassador of the game with his ridiculous goal-scoring nature. He also finally led Argentina to a major international trophy in 2021 by defeating Brazil in the final of the Copa America. 

Messi added the Finalissima trophy to his cabinet after a masterful performance against the European champions Italy. He showed why this coming year will be different, and opponents should really be afraid. He then made good on his promise as he won his 41st trophy with a spectacular performance against Nantes. Now, even the first place is his.

 

*This article is sponsored by Anaptyss, the Perfect blend of People, Process and Technology.

Ratul Ghosh
His name means Red and a fan of devilish food, which equals to his favourite team being Manchester United. Can be found sleeping or in front of the TV otherwise. Hates waking up early but loves staying up late for football.

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