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10 Players with the Most Champions League Titles [Ranked]

The ten most successful players in Champions League history have been revealed, with the list dominated by stars from Real Madrid’s all-conquering side of the mid-2010s.
Anna Ciao
By: Anna Ciao

The Champions League is the crown jewel of European football — a trophy that even some of the game’s greatest talents never get the chance to lift. Winning it once is a career-defining moment, reserved for the elite.

But for a rare group of players, it’s not just a one-time experience. These individuals have scaled Europe’s footballing summit multiple times, collecting Champions League winners’ medals like few others in history.

To narrow the field, this list includes only those who played in every final of the titles they’ve won. That means legends like Lionel Messi, who has four titles but missed the 2006 final against Arsenal, don’t make the cut.

10. Marcelo

4 Champions League titles

It’s hardly a shock to see Real Madrid dominate this list. The Spanish giants have lifted more European Cups than any other club, with six of those coming in the last 11 years — a golden era that naturally sees several of their stars feature among the most decorated in Champions League history.

One such name is Marcelo, widely regarded as one of the finest full-backs the game has seen. The Brazilian won his first title in 2014 against city rivals Atlético Madrid, and repeated the feat two years later. Juventus and Liverpool were also on the receiving end of Madrid’s dominance, but by the time Carlo Ancelotti steered the club to their most recent two titles, Marcelo had already brought his glittering spell in the Spanish capital to a close.

9. Isco

4 Champions League titles

Technically, Isco owns five Champions League winners' medals — but under the criteria of this list, only players who featured in the finals are considered, which brings his tally down to four. The Spaniard was part of the squad when Real Madrid beat Liverpool in 2022, though he didn’t get on the pitch that night.

During his time at the club, Isco made 62 Champions League appearances, including four finals between 2014 and 2018. While he didn’t score or assist in any of those showpieces, he was surrounded by some of the game’s greatest talents who stepped up when it mattered most.

8. Andres Iniesta

4 Champions League titles

The only player in the top 10 who didn’t play for Real Madrid — naturally — represented their great rivals, Barcelona. Andrés Iniesta is widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders in Champions League history. Though not known for his goalscoring, he delivered some unforgettable moments, including the dramatic last-minute equaliser against Chelsea in the 2009 semi-final.

Most will recall Iniesta’s triumphs in 2009, 2011, and 2015, but his first came in 2006 against Arsenal — a final often overlooked in discussions of his legacy. Back then, Iniesta was still establishing himself in the Barça setup, but he played a crucial role off the bench, coming on at half-time to help inspire a comeback win.

7. Casemiro

4 Champions League titles

Criminally underrated. While Luka Modric and Toni Kroos often received the plaudits for their artistry on the ball, none of it would have been possible without Casemiro anchoring the midfield behind them. The Brazilian was the glue that held Real Madrid’s system together — a relentless presence who did the dirty work so others could shine.

Casemiro’s tally in this list is slightly reduced due to his absence from the 2014 final, where he wasn’t even named on the bench. But from that point on, he became indispensable. Before his move to Manchester United, he was a driving force behind Madrid’s Champions League dominance — even chipping in with a goal in the 2017 final win over Juventus.

6. Gareth Bale

4 Champions League titles

Criminally underrated. While Luka Modric and Toni Kroos often received the plaudits for their artistry on the ball, none of it would have been possible without Casemiro anchoring the midfield behind them. The Brazilian was the glue that held Real Madrid’s system together — a relentless presence who did the dirty work so others could shine.

Casemiro’s tally in this list is slightly reduced due to his absence from the 2014 final, where he wasn’t even named on the bench. But from that point on, he became indispensable. Before his move to Manchester United, he was a driving force behind Madrid’s Champions League dominance — even chipping in with a goal in the 2017 final win over Juventus.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo

5 Champions League titles

Five Champions League titles to match his five Ballon d'Ors — Cristiano Ronaldo's trophy haul speaks for itself. Remarkably, he even secured one of those titles away from Real Madrid, a feat that almost seems like a miracle. Before he cemented himself as one of the greatest players in football history, the Portuguese winger made his mark in his first Champions League final, scoring in 2008 as Manchester United triumphed over Chelsea in a slippery Moscow (forget the fact that he missed his penalty in the shootout).

It took a few more years for Ronaldo to regain the Champions League crown at Madrid, but once he did, he had a near-unshakable hold on it. Over the next four finals, he scored in two, and in the one he didn’t — against Atletico Madrid — he redeemed his 2008 miss by converting the decisive penalty in the shootout.

4. Toni Kroos

5 Champions League titles

It's hard not to feel that Toni Kroos's career, despite his five Champions League titles, has been a bit underappreciated. The German maestro exuded class from the very first moment he touched the ball, and it's easy to believe he could still play a crucial role in the current Real Madrid side.

However, Kroos made the decision to retire at the top, which, as bittersweet as it is to see such a talent walk away earlier than we'd like, is admirable. His club career couldn't have had a more fitting conclusion, securing his fifth Champions League title by beating Borussia Dortmund — a victory that surely felt even sweeter for the former Bayern Munich star.

3. Karim Benzema

5 Champions League titles

Karim Benzema's fifth Champions League title, or "fifer," as cricket might call it, stands as a testament to his incredible journey. Like many on this list, he had the privilege of playing in one of the most dominant teams of the modern era, and he was also part of one of the most lethal attacking trios football has ever seen. However, after playing second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema stepped into the spotlight and delivered his finest tournament.

The 2022 Champions League run by Real Madrid was something extraordinary. Along the way, they defeated Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester City, with both PSG and City holding the upper hand after the first legs. Benzema was pivotal in leading the team through those dramatic comebacks, culminating in a final victory over Liverpool. His performances earned him not just a fifth European crown, but also that year's Ballon d'Or, crowning an unforgettable season.

2. Luka Modric

6 Champions League titles

The final two players can rightfully claim to be the most successful in Champions League history. With an impeccable record of never losing a final, there's a strong possibility they will maintain that perfect streak. First up is Luka Modric, who has the distinction of being part of every one of Real Madrid's triumphs over the past 15 years.

Once considered the worst signing in Bernabeu history, the Croatian midfielder has certainly proven those early doubts wrong. He's still as technically brilliant as the day he first lifted the trophy. The 2024 win over Borussia Dortmund also saw him become the second-oldest player to win the Champions League, just behind Paolo Maldini's record. If Modric stays at Madrid for another year, he could become the first to win the competition at the age of 40.

1. Dani Carvajal

6 Champions League titles

Perhaps the most underrated hero at Real Madrid is Dani Carvajal, and that's why we've chosen to place him at the top, despite having the same number of titles as Modric. The Spanish full-back may not always grab the headlines, but he consistently delivers exactly what is needed and has grown into a remarkable leader.

Carvajal also has one accolade that Modric doesn't: scoring in a Champions League final. The defender opened the scoring in the final against Borussia Dortmund with a standout, man-of-the-match performance, further cementing his place at the pinnacle of this list.

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Anna Ciao
Written by: Anna Ciao
Anna Ciao is a sports content contributor at Betimate. Born and raised in a rural village in China, I have had a passion for football and various sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, from a young age. Along with diligent studies, I achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 in the English language, and I have become a content contributor specializing in sports, particularly football, as I am today. I hope that my articles are helpful to readers.

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