Ask any footballer what their ultimate club dream is and chances are it will be winning the UEFA Champions League.

The biggest and grandest club competition in world football, the UCL is the crowning glory on any footballer’s resume.

Any player’s path to Champions League success is long and winding, but a number have found a knack for lifting the famous trophy on multiple occasions.

Following Real Madrid’s 2022 Champions League final victory over Liverpool, the Sporting News takes a look at the updated list of some of the most decorated players in the competition’s history.

MORE: Which teams are in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League?

Which player has won the most Champions League titles?

Spaniard Francisco “Paco” Gento has won a record six Champions League titles.

The Real Madrid attacker’s victories came when the competition was known as the European Cup and he was wearing the captain’s armband for his final triumph in 1966.

Cristiano Ronaldo is among 19 players with five titles to their name and was joined by several from the 2022 Champions League winning Madrid team.

Nine current Real Madrid stars tasted Champions League success for a fifth time to equal Ronaldo’s total when they beat Liverpool in the 2022 final.

Clarence Seedorf is the only player to have won the competition with three different clubs. The Dutchman won four finals across stints with Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Player Titles Seasons won Francisco Genti 6 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966 Juan Alonso 5 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 Gareth Bale 5 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Karim Benzema 5 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Dani Carvajal 5 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Casemiro 5 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Alessandro Costacurta 5 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007 Alfredo Di Stefano 5 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 Isco 5 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Toni Kroos 5 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Rafael Lesmes 5 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 Paolo Maldini 5 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007 Marcelo 5 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Marquitos 5 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 Luka Modric 5 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Nacho 5 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Hector Rial 5 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 Cristiano Ronaldo 5 2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 Jose Maria Zarraga 5 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 Samuel Eto’o 4 2000, 2006, 2009, 2010 Andres Iniesta 4 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015 Joseito 4 1956, 1957 1958, 1959 Mateo Kovacic 4 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 Lionel Messi 4 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015 Enrique Mateos 4 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 Phil Neal 4 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984 Gerard Pique 4 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 Sergio Ramos 4 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 Jose Santamaria 4 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966 Juan Santisteban 4 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 Clarence Seedorf 4 1995, 1998, 2003, 2007 Raphael Varane 4 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 Lucas Vazquez 4 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Xavi 4 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015

History of the Champions League & European Cup

The UEFA Champions League was first established as the European Cup in 1955 — and remained under this name until the 1992-93 season when the format and branding was revamped to become the Champions League.

Originally, the European Cup was only open to the champions of Europe’s domestic leagues each season and the defending champion of the European Cup.

In 1997, runners-up from Europe’s strongest leagues were permitted to enter the Champions League and then in 1999, some teams who finished third and fourth in their domestic competitions were also granted qualification.

From the renaming of the competition to Champions League in 1992 to 2005, the defending champion of the tournament didn’t automatically qualify for the next edition, but this changed in 2005 and Liverpool was the beneficiary.

A total of 22 European clubs have won the Champions League/European Cup, with Real Madrid lifting the trophy a record 14 times, while AC Milan (seven titles), Bayern Munich (six titles), Liverpool (six titles) and Barcelona (five titles) round out the top five.