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Ever since its inception, football has had no scarcity in the number of legends who have graced the game. These heavyweights have left an ever-lasting mark with their contributions to the game.
Unsurprisingly, the legends that we are familiar with have a number of medals to boast in their trophy cabinets. These laurels stand as solid proof as to why these men have gone down as greats in the game's history.
However, in spite of their stellar achievements, well-known names like Messi, Ronaldo, Pele, Zidane and Maradona hardly make it to the list of the 5 most decorated players in the sport.
On that note, let's have a look at the players who have denied them the honour:
#5 Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi (32 trophies)
Two of the greatest players to serve the Catalan club in their illustrious history, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi have been the biggest contributors to Barcelona's revival from the dark ages in the early 2000s.
The duo lifted 32 trophies together as their friendship blossomed on the pitch over the years. Their collection includes an impressive haul of 9 La Liga titles and 4 Champions League titles. In addition to that, they have clinched the Copa del Rey 6 times, the Supercopa de Espana 7 times, followed by the UEFA Super Cup (3) and the FIFA Club World Cup (3).
While Iniesta has now agreed a move to China, it remains to be seen whether he can maintain his trophy tally alongside Leo Messi, who is sure to climb higher up this list in the years to come.
#4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (33 trophies)
He might appear proud and haughty, but there's no doubt that his I-am-god attitude is justified by his trophy collection.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has 33 trophies to his name, leaving a mark in every country he has played in.
One of the sport's most famous journeymen, Zlatan has enjoyed successful spells with Ajax, Inter Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG and Manchester United.
Ibrahimovic's CV includes 2 Eredivisie titles, a Dutch Cup and a Dutch Super Cup in the Netherlands, followed by 6 Serie A titles and 3 Italian Super Cup titles. With Barcelona, he lifted a UEFA Super Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup, La Liga title and a Spanish Super Cup.
With PSG, he clinched 4 league titles, 3 Trophee des Champions titles, 3 Coupe de la Ligue titles and 2 Coupe de France titles. He further increased his trophy haul by winning the Europa League, the Community Shield and the League Cup with Manchester United.
But, the LA Galaxy striker has failed to lift only one trophy in his entire career – the UEFA Champions League. And, after his move to the United States, it looks like the Europa League with Manchester United will be the greatest European prize he will be able to brag about.
#3 Ryan Giggs (34 trophies)
Over the course of a glittering 25-year career with the Red Devils, Ryan Giggs rightly earned the title Mr. Manchester United. The Welshman commanded the flanks at Old Trafford from 1990 to 2014, winning 34 trophies in the process.
His medal collection includes a whopping 13 Premier League titles, 4 F.A. Cups, 3 Carabao Cups, 2 Champions League titles and 9 Community Shields. He also won a FIFA Club World Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a UEFA Super Cup. He also holds the record for making the highest number of appearances for the club (963).
Ryan Giggs is also the most decorated British player in the history of football. When you look at his impressive trophy haul, you are bound to feel a tinge of sadness for Manchester City, who let him go when he was a 17-year-old.
#2 Maxwell (36 trophies)
You would be forgiven for not knowing much about this footballer. Now retired, Brazilian left-back Maxwell plied his trade for Cruzeiro, Ajax, Empoli, Inter, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
In a career that spanned 17 years (2000-17), he amassed a grand total of 36 trophies. Maxwell won 1 Copa do Brasil with Cruzeiro; 2 Eredivisie titles, 1 KNVB Cup and 1 Johan Cruyff Shield during his time with Ajax, followed by 3 Serie A titles and 2 Supercoppa Italiana titles with Internazionale.
Further, he lifted 1 UCL title, 2 La Liga titles, 3 Spanish Super Cups, 2 UEFA Super Cups and 2 FIFA Club World Cups with Barcelona. At PSG, he clinched the Ligue 1 and Copa de la Ligue 4 times apiece. He also won the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions thrice apiece.
Well, well, well...
#1 Dani Alves (38 trophies)
The man to usurp Maxwell as the most decorated footballer is none other than his ex-Barcelona teammate, Dani Alves. The Brazilian right-back clinched 4 titles in the 2017/18 season, taking his current trophy tally to 38 titles, surpassing Maxwell's trophy haul in the process.
Since 2001, the 35-year-old has extended his services to clubs like Bahia, Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. He remains the second most decorated footballer behind Paolo Maldini in terms of European titles with 9 medals in his trophy cabinet.
He has won 1 Copa do Nordeste with Bahia; 6 La Liga titles, 5 Copa Del Rey titles, 5 Super Copa Des Espana titles, 3 UCL titles, 4 UEFA Super Cup titles, 2 UEFA Cup titles and 3 FIFA Club World Cup titles during his times with Sevilla and Barcelona.
He further lifted a Serie A trophy and a Coppa Italia trophy in his single year with Juventus. He won the Ligue 1 title, a Coupe de France title, a Coupe de la Ligue title and a Trophee des Champions title in his first year with Paris Saint-Germain.
Fitting for the world's best right-back, don't you think?
