Sports
Most Successful Clubs in World Football
Success in football comes in circles, as good times come and go for every club, but some clubs have far more consistent cycles than others. Many clubs have had generations of success through each era of football, through multiple competitions, managers, rule changes and players, as the cream always rises to the top.
The 2025/2026 season has already been an exciting one, with the Premier League seeing Liverpool struggling to match the heights of their last campaign, and trying to break away from arch-rivals Manchester United in becoming the most successful team in England.
As we deep dive into the stories of these footballing powerhouses, it’s essential to understand that every title, every cup, every league win has a backdrop. Stories of grit, magic moments, unforgettable comebacks, and yes, heartbreaks too. Every piece of silverware is a chapter in the illustrious book of their history.
Prepare for an exhilarating journey. A trip through football’s hall of fame, where tales of dramatic finals, footballing dynasties, and players who’ve become larger than life await.
While trophies do stand testament to a club’s success, it’s the culture, the traditions, and the die-hard fans that truly capture its essence. As we profile these titans, we’re not just tallying their victories but celebrating the undying spirit that’s made them legendary. Because remember, in football, the journey is just as important, if not more, than the destination. Let the games begin.
24
CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria)
Number of trophies won: 57
Bulgarian powerhouse CSKA Sofia are first up on our list and are probably not the first club you would think of when it comes to success in football. Nevertheless, they have won an astonishing 57 trophies in their history – a legacy that few can rival in Eastern European circles.
Established in 1948, they have maintained a firm grip on domestic football in their nation, which has undoubtedly impressed fans and foes alike. Their fierce rivalries and iconic moments against the likes of Levski Sofia have left an indelible mark on the football world, known as “The Eternal Derby of Bulgaria.”
23
Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Number of trophies won: 58
Founded in 1970, PSG are among the youngest clubs on this list. But after winning four trophies in the 2024/25 campaign – including their first-ever Champions League triumph – and already adding the Trophee des Champions this term, they have earned their place among the biggest and most successful clubs in the world.
Luis Enrique is building something truly impressive in Paris, and Les Parisiens are certainly here to stay, boasting a young squad that includes the likes of Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Vitinha, and many others. Furthermore, having won 13 of the last 15 Ligue 1 seasons with relative ease, continued domestic dominance seems almost guaranteed.
22
Zamalek (Egypt)
Number of trophies won: 58
Zamalek are certainly not a football team that rolls across the tongue as easily as some of the top sides in Europe do, but this team has, over the years, boasted an iron grip on domestic football in Egypt and have dominated the scene since the club was established in 1911.
They are not only a cornerstone of Egyptian football, but also for Africa as a whole. Their 58-trophy haul has been a testament to their resilience and consistency. The iconic Cairo derby between them and Al Ahly is a spectacle, a footballing carnival that never ceases to amaze. It has been branded in the past as “the world’s most violent derby” – though, remarkably, Zamalek aren’t the only Egyptian side on this list.
21
Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Number of trophies won: 61
Boca Juniors are one of the most famous clubs in the world and arguably have a global reach that matches or exceeds some of the top sides in Europe. Their famous blue and yellow strips are synonymous throughout the world of football, especially for the performances of Diego Maradona – easily one of the greatest players of all time – though it has been a while since someone with that presence made an impact on the team.
With 61 major honours, the last of which was secured in 2022, the Argentine giants continue to stamp their authority on the game as a whole.
20
FCSB (Romania)
Number of trophies won: 62
FCSB might not mean a lot to some, but if you say Steaua Bucharest, then things start to make a lot more sense. FCSB’s 62 trophies firmly entrench them as Romania’s best club by far. The club isn’t even 100 years old yet but has achieved more in Europe than other clubs in neighbouring countries could ever dream of. Steaua’s European Cup win in 1986, otherwise known as the ‘Miracle of 86,’ is something that the club is incredibly proud of, and rightly so. They went on to produce one of the longest unbeaten streaks that’s ever been seen for the next three years.
This club is the shining example of a true underdog. Even though they are the best team in their country by quite some distance, they are still considered minnows to the rest of Europe. That being said, with a European Cup to their name, their supporters would argue otherwise.
19
Galatasaray (Turkey)
Number of trophies won: 63
Meanwhile, Galatasaray stand tall and proud as a symbol of Turkish footballing might. The cauldron of noise that is generated at their Turk Telekom Arena makes it a venue most European adversaries dread, a tale that has lived since the early 1990s when Manchester United visited for the first time – alongside a famous Tifo that stated: “Welcome to Hell.”
But it’s not only the Red Devils who have felt the wrath of the brilliant football club over the years. Because of the help from their supporters, and the valiant efforts on the pitch in the club’s famous red and yellow colours, they have clinched no more but no less than 63 trophies, their latest being yet another league and cup double, and they will continue to etch unforgettable memories into the history of Galatasaray.
18
Anderlecht (Belgium)
Number of trophies won: 64
Next up are the Belgian giants Anderlecht, who have remained competitive for as long as many of us can remember. It seemed like every year that they would face Manchester United in the Champions League, and there’s a good reason for that: their unrelenting success on the domestic stage.
With 64 trophies to their name since their founding in 1908, this showcases how consistent they have been over the years in the Belgian Pro League and other cup competitions they are able to participate in. When football fans think of purple and white colours, the first club that comes to their head is Anderlecht.
17
Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
Number of trophies won: 68
Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb are next up on the list, as one of the most well-known names in eastern European football. Their domination of Croatian football has seen them as regulars on the continental stage, although their European success has been sparse in recent years.
With 68 trophies, Dinamo are tied for major honours with arguably the biggest club in the world, Manchester United, and are the only Croatian club to have won a continental trophy, albeit when the nation was part of Yugoslavia, having won the 1966-67 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, beating Don Revie’s Leeds United in the final, having beaten Juventus along the way.
16
Manchester United (England)
Number of trophies won: 68
If you say the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Old Trafford, or the ‘Busby Babes’ to someone, there’s only one club that comes to mind: Manchester United. Their 68 trophies paint a tale of legends, right from the ‘Busby Babes’ Munich air disaster in 1958 to the ‘Class of 92’. Icons like the late Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed in 2023, Eric Cantona and Wayne Rooney, to name a few, have donned the famous red jersey.
While the club has struggled to hit the heights of the 1990s and 2000s in recent years, they remain just about level as the most successful club in England – and with three Champions Leagues to their name, one of the best teams to have ever played in Europe, as well. Most recently, they got their hands on the FA Cup once again with an unforeseen 2-1 win against their arch-rivals Manchester City, a team who fail to make this list, while they will certainly be eager to add to their prestige when they face Tottenham in the 2025 Europa League final.
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15
Liverpool (England)
Number of trophies won: 68
A club that needs no introduction. Liverpool Football Club is a footballing household name around the world. Anfield roars with the Reds’ anthem of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. Adopted courtesy of Gerry and the Pacemakers back in the 1960s, it’s a song that transcends boundaries and unites football lovers across the globe.
With 68 trophies, Liverpool’s legacy speaks of European nights, iconic comebacks, and legendary figures like Bill Shankly and Kenny Dalglish. Having won their first league title in 30 years in 2020, they only had to wait another five to get their hands on it again, with Arne Slot’s debut campaign sending the Reds back to the top of the Premier League thanks to the heroics of stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. In terms of major honours, they edge Man United overall as the most successful club in England.
