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It’s not easy having a football career in Europe. The continent boasts the most competitive and attractive leagues in the world, also providing the grandest stage for the best performers. It’s hard enough having a great métier in one league, so enjoying success in two or three during a career really stands out.Quite often, players are on top of their game when playing in one country, but find performances difficult to replicate after making the switch to another. A select few, however, are serial winners, leaving a victory trail everywhere they go.Here’s a list of players who have succeeded in three or more European leagues.Note: All stats as of 21 December 2015
#1 Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder is still one of the top playmakers in the game. The Dutchman’s fantastic ability in midfield has driven him to much success and made him a real force in Europe.
Sneijder started out at Ajax, where he won seven major trophies. After making the switch the switch to Real Madrid, he proved instrumental to their title-winning campaign in 2008. The Dutch international would later move to Inter and his influence in the middle saw them claim the treble in 2010 under Jose Mourinho.
Now in Turkey with Galatasaray, Sneijder remains an important player. He won the Turkish Super Lig last season, having already won it back in 2013. Sneijder, 31, is still at the top of his game, and there is no doubt that he will win another trophy or two before calling it quits on a splendid career.
Major Honours: Eredivisie, KNVB Cup (2), La Liga, Serie A, Coppa Italia (2), Super Lig (2), UEFA Champions League, Best Dutch Free Kick Taker 2008, UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year 2010
| CLUB | LEAGUE | GOALS | ASSISTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajax | Eredivisie | 58 | 44 |
| Real Madrid | La Liga | 11 | 11 |
| Inter Milan | Serie A | 22 | 35 |
| Galatasaray* | Super Lig | 39 | 24 |
#2 Xabi Alonso
The Spain midfielder has seen immense success throughout his career. He won the Bundesliga title last season, his first season with Bayern Munich, and a repeat this time around seems very likely.
Alonso, who joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad in 2004 for a fee of £10.7 million, would go on to win the Champions League and FA Cup with the Reds. His vision and passing ability, added to his contribution on the defensive end, made him indispensable. But a rumoured rift with then manager Rafa Benitez saw him sold to Real Madrid in 2009.
The Spaniard reportedly never wanted to leave Anfield, but nevertheless shone brightly at Madrid. He helped Los Blancos to the 2012 La Liga title and the Copa Del Rey both in 2011 and 2014. He was also part of the Madrid side which won La Decima under Carlo Ancelotti in 2014.
He would join Bayern the following season, enjoying more success, and recently penned a new contract with the German club. The extension will take him up to 2017, leaving the door wide open for more silverware.
Major Honours: La Liga, Copa Del Rey (2), Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League (2), Spanish Player of the Year 2003, UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year 2012
| CLUB | LEAGUE | GOALS | ASSISTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Sociedad | La Liga | 10 | 4 |
| Liverpool | EPL | 18 | 10 |
| Real Madrid | La Liga | 6 | 32 |
| Bayern Munich* | Bundesliga | 5 | 6 |
#3 Arjen Robben
The 31-year-old winger, known for his flair in attack, has had his fair share of success on the European stage. He joined PSV Eindhoven after his break-out season with Groningen and won the Eredivisie title in 2003.
He would secure a move to Chelsea, where he continued to have success, giving the Blues an effective outlet on the wing while helping them win two consecutive Premier League titles. Robben was then sold to Real Madrid and he made his mark there as well, providing a major contribution to the team’s 2008 La Liga success.
He now plays for Bayern Munich, which is where he really began imposing himself. Already the proud owner of four Bundesliga winner’s medals, the Dutchman is on his way to winning a fifth. He also scored the winning goal in the 2013 Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, claiming the coveted big eared trophy for Bayern.
Trophies and Bayern Munich have become synonymous, so Robben really is in the right place for garnering silverware.
- Major Honours: Eredivisie, Premier League (2), La Liga, Bundesliga (4), UEFA Champions League, Dutch Sportsman of the Year 2014
| CLUB | LEAGUE | GOALS | ASSISTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSV Eindhoven | Eredivisie | 21 | 17 |
| Chelsea | EPL | 18 | 24 |
| Real Madrid | La Liga | 13 | 14 |
| Bayern Munich* | Bundesliga | 113 | 72 |
#4 Clarence Seedorf
The Dutchman was one of the finest midfielders around in his day and saw huge success come his way in the Champions League during his remarkable career. Seedorf is actually the only player to have won the competition with three different clubs.
Beginning his professional career at Ajax, he played a major role in winning them the Champions League and he also claimed two league titles whilst there. He would move to Real Madrid after a trophyless stint at Sampdoria, winning the Champions League for the second time, along with a La Liga title.
After moving to Inter Milan, Seedorf would join their rivals, AC Milan, two years later. He helped the club to lots of silverware, including a Champions League trophy, two Serie A titles, two UEFA Cups and a Club World Cup trophy.
Seedorf would go on to manage AC Milan but he couldn’t replicate his success as a player in a managerial role. He will, however, be remembered for his huge contribution to European football.
Major Honours: Eredivisie (2), KNVB Cup, La Liga, Serie A (2), Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League (3), AC Milan Hall of Fame, UEFA Best Midfielder Award 2006/07
| CLUB | LEAGUE | GOALS | ASSISTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajax | Eredivisie | 11 | - |
| Real Madrid | La Liga | 20 | 4 |
| Inter Milan | Serie A | 13 | 2 |
| AC Milan | Serie A | 63 | 47 |
#5 Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean International has only won one league title in his career, but on a personal front, he is quite the achiever. An extremely gifted athlete, Sanchez has the ability to open up any defence. He is a powerful and agile player who is as industrious as they come, putting in work at both ends of the pitch.
He rose to prominence in Italy at Udinese and, despite not winning any silverware there, performed at a really high level before completing a transfer to Barcelona in 2011. Although he suffered a few injuries, the forward still made a huge impact, scoring double figures in all his three seasons. He would win five trophies at Barcelona including La Liga and the Copa Del Rey.
In 2014, Sanchez left the Camp Nou and joined Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. He was again very instrumental, scoring 25 goals in his debut season and helping the Gunners win the FA Cup. The forward has scored 9 goals in 18 appearances for his team so far this term. Arsenal are major contenders for the Premier League title right now and having the Chilean in their team will only help their chances.
Major Honours: La Liga, Copa Del Rey, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, PFA Fan’s Player of the Year 2014/15, Arsenal Player of the Season 2014/15
| CLUB | LEAGUE | GOALS | ASSISTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Udinese | Serie A | 21 | 10 |
| Barcelona | La Liga | 47 | 36 |
| Arsenal* | EPL | 34 | 18 |
#6 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, currently plying his trade at Paris Saint-Germain, is a serial winner. The Swedish forward has been one of the best players in Europe for quite some time and, at 34, he still hasn’t slowed down. He actually won major silverware at six different clubs, although his two Serie A titles with Juventus were revoked as a result of the Italian football scandal in 2006.
Ibrahimovic started his career at Malmo FF, but it was after moving to Ajax that he made his name. He won two league titles there before moving to Juventus, where he would win two more league titles, which as mentioned before, were revoked. Leaving Turin to join Inter Milan, he won the Serie A three more times before joining Spanish giants Barcelona. Things didn’t work out very well on a personal level, but Ibrahimovic still performed well enough during his single season there.
He would make a return to Italy, signing for AC Milan, where he won the Serie A yet again. Now in France with PSG, the striker looks set to win his fourth Ligue 1 title. His career to date has been truly magnificent and he will surely go down as one of Europe’s biggest legends. The only trophy he is yet to win is the Champions League.
Major Honours: Eredivisie (2), KNVB Cup, Serie A (4), Ligue 1 (3), FIFA Club World Cup, Golden Foot 2012, Serie A Top Scorer 2009 and 2012, Ligue 1 Player of the Year 2013 and 2014
| CLUB | LEAGUE | GOALS | ASSISTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajax | Eredivisie | 47 | 15 |
| Juventus | Serie A | 26 | 6 |
| Inter Milan | Serie A | 66 | 31 |
| Barcelona | La Liga | 22 | 13 |
| AC Milan | Serie A | 56 | 25 |
| Paris Saint-Germain* | Ligue 1 | 123 | 51 |
