More than two decades after making his senior debut for Sporting Lisbon as a scrawny teenager, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy expectations.
While many of his contemporaries have long since hung up their boots and moved on from football, more than four months removed from his 40th birthday Ronaldo remains integral for both club and country.
During the European Championship last summer suggestions that his continued involvement at international level was hampering Portugal’s progress were widespread on social media.
However, Ronaldo continues to deliver when it matters most.
On Sunday the five-time Ballon d’Or winner netted his 132nd international goal as Portugal defeated Spain in the Nations League final to add yet another trophy to his cabinet.
But where does CR7 rank among the most successful players in football history?
Cristiano Ronaldo added yet more silverware to his collection as Portugal won the Nations League on Sunday
The 40-year-old netted a second-half equaliser as his side went on to beat Spain on penalties
10 – Ryan Giggs: 35 trophies
Of all the players to wear the famous red shirt at Old Trafford, few can even come close to matching Ryan Giggs’ longevity at Manchester United.
The Wales international was integral to United’s success during Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering reign at the club, and he remains United’s all time record appearance holder.
From United’s first Premier League title in 1993 to their most recent two decades later, Giggs remained a constant for his boyhood club before hanging up his boots in 2014.
Major honours won:
Premier League: 13x (1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13)
FA Cup: 4x (1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04)
League Cup: 4x (1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10)
Champions League: 2x (1998–99, 2007–08)
Ryan Giggs holds the record for the most appearances in Manchester United history
9 – Kenny Dalglish: 35 trophies
A legend among legends in Liverpool folklore, ‘King’ Kenny Dalglish more than lived up to the British transfer record fee Bob Paisley paid to bring him to Anfield from Celtic in 1977.
The forward had already won every domestic honour available to him at Celtic Park and wasted no time picking up where he left off south of the border.
Dalglish would star in all three of Liverpool’s European Cup triumphs during that period, and went on to have a successful career in the dugout that included guiding Blackburn Rovers to Premier League glory in 1994-95.
Major honours won:
Scottish Premier Division: 4x (1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1976–77)
Scottish Cup: 4x (1971–72, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1976–77)
Scottish League Cup: 1x (1974–75)
Football League First Division: 6x (1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86)
FA Cup: 1x (1985–86)
League Cup: 4x (1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983–84)
European Cup: 3x (1977–78, 1980–81, 1983–84)
Sir Kenny Dalglish won everything available to him at Liverpool after a glittering spell at Celtic
8 – David Alaba: 35 trophies
The youngest player to feature on this list, at just 32 years old David Alaba has accumulated more silverware throughout his career than many top clubs have in their entire history.
In an 12-year stint at Bayern Munich Alaba was crucial to the Bavarian club’s sustained success before adding even more trophies to his cabinet after joining Real Madrid.
Injuries have curtailed the Austrian’s career in recent years – he was limited to just seven LaLiga appearances for Los Blancos last season – but his record speaks for itself.
Major honours won:
Bundesliga: 10x (2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21)
German Cup: 6x (2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2018–19, 2019–20)
LaLiga: 2x (2021–22, 2023–24)
Spanish Cup: 1x (2022–23)
Champions League: 4x (2012–13, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24)
David Alaba was an integral component of Bayern Munich’s all-conquering side in the 2010s
7 – Cristiano Ronaldo: 36 trophies
Victory in Sunday’s Nations League final sees Ronaldo clinch another piece of silverware in what has been an astonishing run for the 40-year-old.
Ronaldo was central to the success of what was the last great Manchester United side and subsequently enjoyed even more triumphs in Spain with Real Madrid before adding a pair of Scudettos to his haul with Juventus.
Based on everything we’ve seen in his career, who’s to say Ronaldo won’t find his way further up this list by the time it is all said and done?
Major honours won:
Premier League: 3x (2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09)
FA Cup: 1x (2003–04)
League Cup: 2x (2005–06, 2008–09)
LaLiga: 2x (2011–12, 2016–17)
Spanish Cup: 2x (2010–11, 2013–14)
Serie A: 2x (2018–19, 2019–20)
Coppa Italia: 1x (2020–21)
Champions League: 5x (2007–08, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18)
European Championship: 1x (2016)
Cristiano Ronaldo led his country to their first major trophy at Euro 2016 in France
6 – Sergio Busquets: 37 trophies
As a longstanding member of the unstoppable Barcelona and the Spanish national team sides of the 2010s it should perhaps come as no surprise that Sergio Busquets features on this list.
It is important to remember, however, that Busquets was no mere passenger during these various triumphs, as the defensive midfielder consistently delivered an unmatched stability in the centre of the park.
After following Lionel Messi to Inter Miami in 2023 Busquets has continued to pick up honours, including the MLS Supporters’ Shield last year.
Major honours won:
LaLiga: 9x (2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2022–23)
Spanish Cup: 7x (2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21)
Champions League: 4x (2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15)
European Championship: 1x (2012)
World Cup: 1x (2010)
Sergio Busquets enjoyed a glittering 15-year stint at his boyhood club Barcelona
5 – Gerard Pique: 37 trophies
Manchester United fans of a certain age will remember a young Gerard Pique showing glimpses of his potential but largely appearing unsuited to the physicality of life as a centre half.
Few could have foreseen at that stage what was to come.
After moving back to Barcelona in 2008, Pique quickly morphed into one of the best defenders of his generation and went on to accrue a trophy haul befitting of his ability.
In 14 years at the Camp Nou Pique will every major honour available to him before calling time on his career in 2022 as the club’s fifth-highest appearance maker.
Major honours won:
Premier League: 1x (2007–08)
League Cup: 1x (2005–06)
LaLiga: 9x (2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2022-23)
Spanish Cup: 7x (2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21)
Champions League: 4x (2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15)
European Championship: 1x (2012)
World Cup: 1x (2010)
After swapping Manchester for Barcelona, Gerard Pique became one of the most decorated players in history
4 – Andres Iniesta: 37 trophies
Another graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Andres Iniesta formed an incomparable partnership with Xavi in midfield for both club and country.
Ranked as one of the sport’s greatest midfielders, Iniesta’s career continued long after he departed Barcelona following 16 glittering years at the club.
The 41-year-old finally hung up his boots last year after spells at Vissel Kobe in Japan and the UAE’s Emirates.
Despite all his triumphs, Iniesta will forever be remembered for his winning goal in extra time in the 2010 World Cup final that secured Spain their first-ever victory on the grandest stage.
Major honours won:
LaLiga: 9x (2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18)
Spanish Cup: 6x (2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18)
Champions League: 4x (2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15)
European Championship: 2x (2008, 2012)
World Cup: 1x (2010)
Andres Iniesta cemented his legendary status with a 116th-minute winner in the 2010 World Cup final
3 – Hossam Ashour :39 trophies
While many of contemporaries on this list are bonafide superstars of the sport, Hossam Ashour earned his place through sheer consistency.
After graduating from the youth academy of Al Ahly in his native Egypt in 2003, Ashour would remain a consistent presence in the club’s midfield 17 years as they thoroughly dominated top-flight football in the country.
However, despite his undeniable record at club level, Ashour failed to make an impact at international level and managed just 14 senior caps for Egypt between 2008 and 2018.
Major honours won:
Egyptian Premier League: 13x (2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20)
Egyptian Cup: 4x (2005–06, 2006–07, 2016–17, 2019–20)
CAF Champions League: 6x (2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020)
Defensive midfielder Hossam Ashour enjoyed sustained success in his native Egypt with Al Ahly
2 – Dani Alves: 43 trophies
Another case study in footballing longevity, Dani Alves made nearly 900 appearances in all competitions throughout his 22-year playing career.
The Brazilian full-back picked up trophies at almost every club he played for, but is best remembered for his two spells at Barcelona.
In addition to his various successes at club level, Alves also picked up multiple trophies with Brazil, including adding an Olympic gold medal to his already impressive collection in 2020.
Major honours won:
LaLiga: 6x (2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16)
Spanish Cup: 5x (2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16)
Serie A: 1x (2016–17)
Coppa Italia: 1x (2016–17)
Ligue 1: 2x (2017–18, 2018–19)
Coupe de France: 1x (2017–18)
Champions League: 3x (2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15)
Summer Olympics: 1x (2020)
Copa America: 2x (2007, 2019)
Throughout his career Dani Alves secured silverware in multiple different countries
1 – Lionel Messi: 46 trophies
Lionel Messi added a jewel to an already incomparable crown when he led Argentina to World Cup glory
It just had to be him, didn’t it?
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to grace the pitch, Lionel Messi has done it all in football.
It’s perhaps fitting then, that no player has lifted as many trophies as the Argentine genius has since he first emerged from Barcelona’s academy.
For years it appeared that football’s greatest prize would elude him, but Messi made sure to leave no stone unturned and duly led his country to World Cup glory in 2022.
Major honours won:
LaLiga: 10x (2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19)
Spanish Cup: 7x (2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21)
Ligue 1: 2x (2021–22, 2022–23)
Champions League: 4x (2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15)
Summer Olympics: 1x (2008)
Copa America: 2x (2021, 2024)
World Cup: 1x (2022)
