When you think of Ligue 1, several teams instantly come to your mind: PSG, Lyon, and Saint-Étienne just to mention a few.
These clubs have shaped the modern face not only of French football but also managed to produce and house players having an incredible number of titles in the league.
Winning a league title is no easy feat, but over successive seasons there is bound to be that blend of skill, teamwork, leadership, and perhaps the bit of luck that makes them winners.
Now, let’s look into the top players who have had the most Ligue 1 titles in history.
1. Marquinhos – 9 Ligue 1 Titles
It is hard not to mention the modern-day dominance of Ligue 1 and fail to give an honorary mention to Marquinhos. A Brazilian centre-back over the last ten years, he has gained quite a reputation through his successful dominance in Ligue 1 with nine titles.
Upon his arrival at PSG from Roma in 2013, he was a bright prospect at the back. Fast-forwarding to the present, he is not just any other player but holds a special place in the heart of the team’s defence, often found captaining the side in important moments.
He has been one of the biggest assets to his team because of his versatility. Commonly seen commanding the backline, his ability to step into midfield when necessary gives PSG a tactical edge.
He is the kind of player who is not only physically strong but is mentally sharp, reading through the game always and positioning himself in a picture-perfect manner.
It will be of little surprise to see Marquinhos atop the list with nine titles, but still just 30 years old, he has many seasons left yet to increase the burgeoning total.
2. Marco Verratti – 9 Titles
In the PSG hall of fame alongside Marquinhos is Marco Verratti: the Italian midfield maestro who has also lifted nine Ligue 1 titles.
Having come in from that relative obscurity of Serie B side Pescara in 2012. Probably slight of frame and unassuming, he may well not be the first you’d notice but once on the pitch, there is no overlooking him.
The ability to regulate the tempo is Verratti’s real trademark. He is not a goal scorer or the normal flashy playmaker, but his passing range, intelligence, and relentless pressing have been critical to PSG’s domestic dominance.
With him conducting things in the middle of the park, PSG has been nearly unstoppable in Ligue 1.
3. Presnel Kimpembe – 8 Titles
Another regular for PSG, having won an impressive eight Ligue 1 titles. He has been a constant presence within this squad, offering real strength and calmness at the back.
First-team regular Kimpembe’s rise from the PSG youth is a reflection of his hard work and natural ability. Physically dominant, quick on the pitch, and an adept ball player, he just fits what the team does at PSG.
With the pure talent that has filtered in over the years, he has shown growth in many big games, with quite solid displays in both French and European competitions.
He is still only 29, so has time to add to his haul, and with PSG’s dominance, he may well end up challenging for the top spot on this list.
4. Kylian Mbappé – 7 Titles
It does seem the entirety of Kylian Mbappé’s career has been fast-forwarded. Still only 25, Mbappé has already won seven Ligue 1 titles-one with AS Monaco, and six with PSG.
The French forward has become the face of French football. His blistering pace, sharp finishing, and football intelligence make him one of the most dangerous players in the world.
Mbappé burst into prominence in Monaco’s fairy-tale 2016-17 season when he helped break PSG’s stranglehold on Ligue 1.
Then he moved to Paris, where his collection of league titles started growing and growing.
It is not just how many goals Mbappé scores, but when he scores them. He has been instrumental in so many of the title-winning seasons for Paris Saint-Germain and, considering his move to Real Madrid, he might just have 7 titles to his name.
5. Thiago Silva – 7 Titles
Before Marquinhos took over as PSG’s defensive leader, it was Thiago Silva who was the general of the backline.
The Brazilian centre-back played an immense role in the dominance of PSG throughout the 2010s, having won seven Ligue 1 titles. Silva, who joined PSG from AC Milan in 2012 brought experience, leadership, and an incredible sense of positioning to the team.
He wasn’t just any defender; he was PSG’s captain, the one who marshalled them from the back, setting the tone. He was instrumental in turning them into the domestic powerhouse that they are today.
Silva left Paris in 2020 to join Chelsea, but his legacy in Ligue 1 remains intact.
6. Grégory Coupet, Juninho, Sidney Govou – 7 Titles (Lyon)
Before PSG’s dominance, there was Olympique Lyon. The team won seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles from 2002 to 2008, and at the heart of such a dynasty were Grégory Coupet, Juninho Pernambucano, and Sidney Govou.
Grégory Coupet was the rock between the posts for Lyon. Commanding in the goal, Coupet’s leadership and shot-stopping ability were key to Lyon’s run of success. To say he was one of the best goalkeepers in Europe when Lyon was at its best would not be a high degree of exaggeration.
Juninho is often remembered for his insane free-kick ability, but he was so much more than that. He was the engine of Lyon’s midfield: dictating the pace of play, providing assists, and netting goals.
He was just a complete player and arguably one of the best to have ever played in Ligue 1.
Sidney Govou was a very versatile attacker, capable of playing out wide and through the middle. Quick and technically gifted, he was an important figure in how Lyon achieved success.
His versatility in several different positions made him vital to Lyon’s title-winning campaigns.
8. Hervé Revelli and Jean-Michel Larqué – 7 Titles (AS Saint-Étienne)
During the 1960s and 70s, it was not Lyon nor PSG that ruled French football, it was AS Saint-Étienne. Two of the biggest legends, Hervé Revelli and Jean-Michel Larqué, both won seven Ligue 1 titles with the team.
Hervé Revelli was an efficient striker who was the league’s top scorer on more occasions when Saint-Étienne was going through its glory years. He had this knack of finding the back of the net that helped the club to take its pride of place in French football.
The creative force middle of the park was Jean-Michel Larqué. He had his passing, vision, and leadership that made him the heartbeat of Saint-Étienne’s team during their title-winning campaigns. What Larqué did to influence the success of that team cannot be exaggerated.
Though Saint-Étienne hasn’t been much of a force in recent years, the legacy of players like Revelli and Larqué lives on.
8. Edinson Cavani – 6 Titles
Nicknamed “El Matador”, Cavani is PSG’s all-time top scorer with six league titles, probably one of the most successful players in league history. During his period in Paris, he was an unstoppable force who happened to be known for his incredible work rate, aerial ability, and deadly finishing.
The fact that he was willing to put the team first and play out of position when called upon only made him more popular with the PSG faithful.
9. Adrien Rabiot – 6 Titles
Rabiot might not have left PSG on the best terms, but during his time at the club, he played a key role in midfield, winning six Ligue 1 titles. A tall, elegant midfielder, Rabiot could take control of games with his passing and composure.
Players With The Most Ligue 1 Titles
| Player | Position | Nationality | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marquinhos | Centre-Back | Brazil | 9 |
| Marco Verratti | Central Midfield | Italy | 9 |
| Presnel Kimpembe | Centre-Back | France | 8 |
| Kylian Mbappé | Centre-Forward | France | 7 |
| Thiago Silva | Centre-Back | Brazil | 7 |
| Grégory Coupet | Goalkeeper | France | 7 |
| Juninho Pernambucano | Attacking Midfield | Brazil | 7 |
| Sidney Govou | Right Winger | France | 7 |
| Jean-Michel Larqué | Attacking Midfield | France | 7 |
| Hervé Revelli | Centre-Forward | France | 7 |
| Edinson Cavani | Centre-Forward | Uruguay | 6 |
| Adrien Rabiot | Central Midfield | France | 6 |
| Patrick Müller | Centre-Back | Switzerland | 6 |
| Cláudio Caçapa | Centre-Back | Brazil | 6 |
| Georges Bereta | Left Winger | France | 6 |
| Layvin Kurzawa | Left-Back | France | 5 |
| Neymar | Left Winger | Brazil | 5 |
| Ángel Di María | Right Winger | Argentina | 5 |
| Lucas Moura | Right Winger | Brazil | 5 |
| Javier Pastore | Attacking Midfield | Argentina | 5 |
| Thiago Motta | Defensive Midfield | Italy | 5 |
| Blaise Matuidi | Central Midfield | France | 5 |
| Hatem Ben Arfa | Attacking Midfield | France | 5 |
| Anthony Réveillère | Right-Back | France | 5 |
| Rémy Vercoutre | Goalkeeper | France | 5 |
| Mahamadou Diarra | Defensive Midfield | Mali | 5 |
| Éric Di Meco | Left-Back | France | 5 |
| Manuel Amoros | Right-Back | France | 5 |
| Jean Tigana | Central Midfield | France | 5 |
| Patrick Battiston | Centre-Back | France | 5 |
| Thierry Tusseau | Left-Back | France | 5 |
| Bernard Bosquier | Sweeper | France | 5 |
| Robert Herbin | Defensive Midfield | France | 5 |
| Robert Siatka | Left Midfield | France | 5 |
| Robert Jonquet | Sweeper | France | 5 |
| Juan Bernat | Left-Back | Spain | 4 |
| Julian Draxler | Left Winger | Germany | 4 |
| Nicolas Douchez | Goalkeeper | France | 4 |
| Salvatore Sirigu | Goalkeeper | Italy | 4 |
| Gregory van der Wiel | Right-Back | Netherlands | 4 |
| Zlatan Ibrahimović | Centre-Forward | Sweden | 4 |
| Maxwell | Left-Back | Brazil | 4 |
| Ezequiel Lavezzi | Second Striker | Argentina | 4 |
| Karim Benzema | Centre-Forward | France | 4 |
| Cris | Centre-Back | Brazil | 4 |
| Sylvain Wiltord | Second Striker | France | 4 |
| Florent Malouda | Left Winger | France | 4 |
| Jérémy Berthod | Left-Back | France | 4 |
| Bryan Bergougnoux | Attacking Midfield | France | 4 |
| Éric Carrière | Attacking Midfield | France | 4 |
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