- Lionel Messi lifted his 45th career trophy after winning the Copa America
- The Argentine has won more titles than any other player during his historic career.
- Listen to It’s all just beginning! EUROS DIARY: Will Gareth Southgate continue at the World Cup?
Lionel Messi further cemented his place as football’s most decorated player by winning the 45th trophy of his career as Argentina retained the Copa America.
The Argentine captain was left in tears after suffering a nasty ankle injury in Monday’s final against Colombia that forced him off in the 66th minute.
However, Messi was beaming after the end of extra time at the Hard Rock Stadium when Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez scored a late winner.
Wild scenes at the tournament’s final clash saw thousands of fans trapped in a terrifying crush as those wanting to see Messi in action flooded the turnstiles and jumped over the fences.
Messi remains the figurehead of the Argentina national team and his Copa America triumph only extended his lead as the most famous player in football, but who follows the Barcelona legend?
Lionel Messi further cemented his place as football’s most decorated player by winning the Copa America with Argentina.
Messi has already won the World Cup with Argentina and is the most successful player in the sport.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won 35 trophies throughout his incredible playing career in Europe and Saudi Arabia.
Brazilian full-back Dani Alves sits behind Messi on 43 trophies and became the first player to reach that mark when he won the Campeonato Paulista with Sao Paulo after returning to his home country.
Successful spells at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus had seen Alves widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in modern football.
Former Egyptian star Hossam Ashour secures third place after shining in Africa, where he won a staggering 39 pieces of silver over a 17-year period.
Ashour retired from football two years ago after a brief stint with Saudi Arabian Professional League club Al-Ittihad and hung up his boots as Africa’s most successful player in history.
Another of Messi’s former teammates holds fourth place in terms of titles, with Andrés Iniesta on 37 individual titles, most of them with Barcelona.
The legendary Spanish midfielder won nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues during his time at the Nou Camp and also celebrated two consecutive European Championship titles with Spain and the 2010 World Cup, in which he scored the winning goal.
Former Barcelona and Manchester United defender Gerard Pique shares the same number of trophies as Iniesta and similarly also won four Champions League titles while shining for the Catalan club.
Barcelona players continue to dominate the top 10 rankings with Sergio Busquets occupying sixth place after winning 36 honours during his established career as one of Europe’s best defensive midfielders.
Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Andrés Iniesta has won 37 trophies throughout his career
Ryan Giggs (right) is Manchester United’s most decorated player with 35 trophies to his name.
David Alaba breaks the streak as Real Madrid’s first inclusion on the list, having celebrated 36 trophies during his time in Spain and at Bayern Munich.
The Austrian won 10 Bundesliga titles in Munich and also shone as the club lifted two Champions League trophies. He has since added two more European titles to his tally with Madrid.
Kenny Dalglish is the first representative of the United Kingdom and during his career as a Liverpool player he won an astonishing 35 trophies.
The Scot won 11 of those titles in his homeland before later moving to Anfield, where he shone by helping the club win six First Division titles and three European Cup trophies.
Ryan Giggs earns his place at number nine as the Manchester United legend lifted 35 trophies during his time at the English giants.
The Welshman won 13 Premier League titles over his 24-year career at the club and also won the Champions League twice along with several other domestic honours.
Cristiano Ronaldo completes the list as the tenth most famous player in football with 35 trophies won by the Portuguese legend.
Five Champions League titles, two La Liga and three Premier League trophies are among his achievements which have also seen Ronaldo achieve success with the national team.
