Few people anticipated the enormous influence Lionel Messi would have on the football world when he made his FC Barcelona debut in 2004. Messi would not only become one of the best players of all time during the course of the following 20 years, but he would also set a record for achievement by winning an astounding 45 trophies. To put this accomplishment in context, Messi has won more trophies since entering the professional ranks than even some of the most illustrious football clubs in the world.
We'll look
at nine of these major teams in this blog and contrast Messi's trophy haul with
theirs since 2004. Juventus, Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter Milan,
Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich
are some of these teams. Let's examine how each of these enormous players
compares to Messi's incredible career.
1. Juventus - 20 Trophies
One of the most illustrious clubs in Italy, Juventus, has
experienced tremendous success since 2004, particularly when it comes to
winning Serie A. From 2011 until 2020, the Turin-based team won nine straight
Serie A titles, solidifying their status as the undisputed champions of Italian
football. Juventus has only won 20 titles since Messi's debut, falling well
short of the Argentine's total despite their supremacy in their own country.
Key Titles:
10 Serie A Titles
5 Coppa Italia Titles
5 Supercoppa Italiana Titles
Juve hasn't been able to match Messi's title total
throughout this time due to their relative lack of European success. Their
heartbreaking exits from their two UEFA Champions League final appearances (in
2015 and 2017) underscored their difficulties on the continent.
.png "Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and more: 9 big clubs who won fewer trophies than Lionel Messi since his debut in 2004")
2. Manchester United - 21 Trophies
Messi has
also surpassed Manchester United, a team known for success, especially under
Sir Alex Ferguson, in terms of trophies won. The Red Devils have won 21 trophies
since 2004, including five Premier League championships and a 2008 UEFA
Champions League victory. However, since Ferguson retired in 2013, the team's
achievements have somewhat decreased.
Key
Titles:
5 Premier
League Titles
1 UEFA
Champions League Title
1 FA Cup
4 EFL Cups
1 FIFA Club
World Cup
Manchester
United has lagged considerably behind Messi's incredible total due to their
recent inability to regularly contend for major awards. Their capacity to
contend at the greatest level has been hampered by the rebuilding and change
that followed Ferguson.
3.
Chelsea - 21 Trophies
Since Roman Abramovich took over in 2003, Chelsea has been
among the most successful English clubs. Since 2004, the Blues have won 21
trophies, including numerous Premier League crowns and two UEFA Champions
League triumphs. Chelsea trails Messi's 45 trophies despite their remarkable
collection.
Key
Titles:
5 Premier League Titles
2 UEFA Champions League Titles
2 UEFA Europa League Titles
5 FA Cups
3 EFL Cups
Chelsea has established themselves as one of Europe's top
teams because to their constant ability to play in and win trophies from a
variety of competitions. They are still far behind Messi's incredible feat,
despite their accomplishment.
.png "Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and more: 9 big clubs who won fewer trophies than Lionel Messi since his debut in 2004")
4.
Inter Milan - 22 Trophies
Since
Messi's debut, Inter Milan, another legendary Italian team, has won 22
trophies. Under José Mourinho, who guided the team to an unprecedented treble
in 2010 by winning the UEFA Champions League, the Coppa Italia, and Serie A,
they had their most prosperous time. Messi's total prize haul still dwarfs
Inter's, even after this amazing accomplishment.
Key Titles:
6
Serie A Titles
4
Coppa Italia Titles
4
Supercoppa Italiana Titles
1
UEFA Champions League Title
1
FIFA Club World Cup
Inter Milan
has had cyclical success, going through periods of domination interspersed by
rebuilding. Their failure to contend for championships on a regular basis has
caused them to lag behind Messi in the trophy race.
5. Manchester City - 23 Trophies
Since Sheikh Mansour took over Manchester City in 2008, the
team has dominated English football. Since Messi's debut, the team has won 23
trophies, five of which have come from the Premier League under Pep Guardiola.
Nevertheless, City has had difficulty turning their supremacy into European
triumph despite their success at home.
Key Titles:
7 Premier League Titles
2 FA Cups
7 EFL Cups
1 UEFA Champions League Title
Although Manchester City has had incredible success
recently, they are still chasing Messi's title total because of their
relatively late rise to prominence. While their 2023 victory in the UEFA
Champions League was a noteworthy achievement, they still have a ways to go
before they can reach Messi's total haul.
6.
Real Madrid - 31 Trophies
Since
Messi's debut, Real Madrid—the most successful club in European history—has
taken home 31 championships. The Spanish powerhouses have won the UEFA
Champions League five times since 2004. They have had amazing success in the
competition. Nevertheless, Messi's 45 titles eclipse even Real Madrid's
impressive trophy collection.
Key
Titles:
6 La Liga
Titles
5 UEFA
Champions League Titles
3 Copa del
Rey Titles
5 Supercopa
de España Titles
4 FIFA Club
World Cups
Although
Real Madrid has dominated Europe like never before, their domestic success has
been more patchy. They stay in the elite because of their constant ability to
contend for and win major awards, but they still lag behind Messi in the fight
for trophies.
7.
Paris Saint-Germain - 36 Trophies
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has emerged as a major player in
French football following its acquisition by Qatar in 2011. Since Messi's
debut, the team has won 36 trophies, including numerous domestic cups and Ligue
1 championships. Still, PSG's lack of European success has kept them behind
Messi's total, even in spite of their domination at home.
Key
Titles:
10 Ligue 1 Titles
7 Coupe de France Titles
6 Coupe de la Ligue Titles
9 Trophée des Champions Titles
PSG's best result to yet in the UEFA Champions League has
been a runner-up place in 2020; their concentration on building a team capable
of winning the competition has not yet paid off in full. They will always trail
Messi's astounding trophy total unless they win European glory.
8.
Barcelona - 37 Trophies
Barcelona,
Messi's childhood team, is among the most successful teams during this time,
having won 37 trophies since the player's debut. With Messi leading the way,
the Catalan giants achieved unmatched success, taking home numerous La Liga
crowns, UEFA Champions Leagues, and other national and international honors.
Even Barça hasn't won as many trophies as Messi has, though.
Key
Titles:
10 La Liga
Titles
4 UEFA
Champions League Titles
7 Copa del
Rey Titles
7 Supercopa
de España Titles
3 FIFA Club World
Cups
Messi's
genius was a major factor in Barcelona's success during his time there, as seen
by the number of trophies they have won. They have been incredibly successful,
but they still fall short of Messi's personal record.
9.
Bayern Munich - 44 Trophies
Only one trophy has separated Bayern Munich, the most successful club in Germany, from Argentina's total of 44 since Messi's debut. The Bavarian behemoths have dominated the Bundesliga and experienced great success throughout Europe, winning two UEFA Champions League championships since 2004.
Key
Titles:
15 Bundesliga Titles
9 DFB-Pokal Titles
2 UEFA Champions League Titles
8 DFL-Supercup Titles
2 FIFA Club World Cups
Bayern Munich is among the most prosperous teams of the contemporary
age thanks to their constant trophy victories in a variety of competitions.
Even still, they haven't quite been able to equal Messi's incredible trophy
record.
With 45 championships won since 2004, Lionel Messi's career has been nothing short of legendary, and his impact on the game and unmatched skill are evident. Messi's solo achievement is even more notable when contrasted with some of the world's largest clubs. Only Bayern Munich has won as many trophies as Messi has, which is an incredible accomplishment and emphasizes Messi's special place in football history.
