The 10 most decorated English footballers of all time

November 14, 2025 Kris Isaksen

Success in football is often measured by the number of trophies a player lifts. These ten English stars have outshone their peers, racking up silverware across domestic and European competitions. From unsung heroes to global icons, here are the most decorated English players ranked from 10 to 1.

10. Nicky Butt – 18 trophies

Nicky Butt was a core member of Manchester United’s golden generation, known for doing the unglamorous work in midfield. He played a crucial role in the club’s historic 1999 treble, starting in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich and helping secure a last-minute victory.

9. Terry McDermott – 18 trophies

Terry McDermott thrived during Liverpool’s dominance in the 1970s, offering goals and relentless energy from midfield. His most iconic moment came in 1977 when he opened the scoring in Liverpool’s first-ever European Cup final win, setting the tone for a 3–1 victory.

8. Ray Kennedy – 18 trophies

Ray Kennedy found success with both Arsenal and Liverpool, transitioning from a centre-forward to a deep-lying playmaker. He scored the title-clinching goal for Arsenal in 1971 and went on to become a key figure in Bob Paisley’s Liverpool side, known for his vision and versatility.

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7. Michael Carrick – 18 trophies

Often underrated, Michael Carrick was a model of consistency in Manchester United’s midfield after joining from Tottenham in 2006. He collected five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy, playing the full 120 minutes in the dramatic 2008 final win over Chelsea.

6. David Beckham – 19 trophies

David Beckham was more than a celebrity — he was a world-class footballer who lifted trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and PSG. Known for his trademark crosses and work ethic, Beckham won 19 trophies and now adds silverware as owner of Inter Miami.

5. Gary Neville – 20 trophies

Gary Neville spent his entire career at Manchester United, winning an impressive 20 trophies over 19 seasons. A dependable right-back and later captain, Neville played across multiple eras, contributing to eight league titles and two Champions League triumphs.

4. Ray Clemence – 21 trophies

Ray Clemence remains one of the greatest English goalkeepers, amassing 21 trophies at Liverpool and Tottenham. After dominating with Liverpool, he joined Spurs and helped them win the 1984 UEFA Cup, saving two penalties in the final at the age of 35.

3. Phil Thompson – 22 trophies

Phil Thompson was a defensive rock for Liverpool in the 70s and early 80s, winning seven league titles and three European Cups. As a local lad, he captained the side to European glory in 1981, becoming the first Scouser to lift the trophy for the Reds.

2. Phil Neal – 23 trophies

Phil Neal was a reliable and consistent full-back during Liverpool’s golden years, winning 23 trophies. He featured in all four of the club’s European Cup victories of his era and was trusted with penalty duties, scoring 28 times from the spot across his career.

1. Paul Scholes – 25 trophies

Paul Scholes tops the list as England’s most decorated footballer, winning 25 trophies at Manchester United. Revered for his passing, vision and late runs into the box, Scholes was admired by legends like Xavi, who once called him the best central midfielder he had ever seen.