Top 10 players with most trophies in the 21st century

Several world-class superstars of the modern era make the list

#4 Maxwell | 37 titles

Paris St Germain v Valencia - UEFA Champions League Round of 16

Maxwell was never a star player for any of the clubs he represented, but the fact that the biggest sides in the world wanted a player like him is a testament to his outstanding work ethic and versatility.

The Brazilian defender played for the likes of Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain amongst others and forged a friendship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic that is well documented.

Renowned for his reliability, versatility and tactical intelligence, Maxwell was primarily a left-back but played all across the backline for club and country. The Brazilian racked up just ten caps for Brazil but had an outstanding club career, as he retired from all forms of the game in 2017 with 37 trophies to his name.

#3 Lionel Messi | 37 titles

FC Barcelona v Arsenal - Pre-Season Friendly

Hailed as the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi's name has dominated the headlines in recent weeks. After close to two decades with Barcelona, the Argentine has decided that he wants to leave the club this summer, with the Catalans in complete disarray on the off the pitch.

Nevertheless, Messi's playing ability needs no introduction, with the 33-year-old set to be remembered for centuries due to his exploits on the football pitch. The diminutive attacker has broken several long-standing goalscoring records over the years and is the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or six times in his career.

With 37 top-flight titles for Barcelona, Messi's trophy cabinet is outstanding at club level. However, the fact that he does not have a trophy with Argentina is seen as a blemish in his glittering CV, as he continues to strive towards making a mark on the international stage.

#2 Andres Iniesta | 39 trophies

Andres Iniesta is one of the gifted footballers to have graced the beautiful game in the modern era. The Spanish midfielder graduated from the famed La Masia academy and became a key player for Barcelona over the years, as he dazzled fans across the world with his outstanding ball control and dribbling ability.

Having made his Barcelona debut in 2002, the little magician represented the Catalan giants for 16 years, as he left the club at the end of the 2017-18 season to secure a move to Vissel Kobe in Japan. Iniesta was an indispensable player for club and country during his prime and also won three trophies with Spain, as La Roja won two European Championships and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012.

The 36-year-old is still playing for Vissel Kobe in Japan, where he won two more trophies since joining in 2018 to take his tally up to 39.

#1 Dani Alves | 41 trophies

FC Barcelona v Villanovense - Copa Del Rey

Widely regarded as the greatest right-back of his generation, Dani Alves is the most decorated player of the 21st century. The Brazilian icon has racked 41 trophies to date and is still playing club football in his homeland, having joined Sao Paulo from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.

A technically gifted athlete with a keen eye for goal, Alves was also blessed with electric pace in his prime and was capable of beating defenders with ease in 1v1 situations. Additionally, his crossing ability was also a key feature of his gameplay, while his deft flicks and overlapping runs made him a vital cog in the final third.

Alves burst onto the scene at Sevilla and moved to Barcelona in 2008, where he spent eight years before leaving for Juventus on a free transfer. The Brazilian's trophy haul means he is one of the most decorated footballers of all time and he is set to go down as a modern-day great of the game.

Also Read: 5 most valuable players in the Serie A currently

Edited by Vishal Subramanian