Ashley Cole, Paul Scholes and the 9 Most Successful Players in FA Cup History

As venerable as it is historic, the FA Cup has witnessed numerous legendary footballers endeavour to claim its coveted trophy over the years.

While some have triumphed, others have been denied the chance, leaving them perpetually haunted by a sense of unfulfilled destiny.

As Manchester United and Manchester City prepare to vie for supremacy in the 2024 final, this piece unveils the nine players with the most illustrious records in the tournament's history.

Yet, it's crucial to highlight that 21 players have clinched the cup four times, prompting a closer examination of their overall careers to determine the ultimate victors.

Sports Brief takes a look at nine of the most successful players in FA Cup history.

Most successful footballers in FA Cup

Frank Lampard (4 wins)

Starting at West Ham, Frank Lampard's legacy truly blossomed at Chelsea. Across 648 appearances, he dominated the midfield, collecting titles like the Champions League, Premier League, and League Cup.

His FA Cup triumphs in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2012, along with six goals, underscored his prowess.

In the 2006/07 edition, he notched the lone assist in the final against Manchester United, cementing his status as a Chelsea icon. Many hail him as the club's greatest player, a testament to his indelible imprint on Chelsea's history.

Dennis Bergkamp (4 wins)

Among the esteemed few to grace Arsenal's Emirates Stadium with a statue, Dennis Bergkamp remains an enduring icon in the hearts of Gunners faithful.

Across nearly a decade in North London, he etched an unforgettable legacy. With 423 appearances, Bergkamp secured an impressive tally of seven titles, including three Premier League triumphs (1998, 2002, 2004) and four FA Cups (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005), solidifying his status as a timeless legend.

Throughout his career, he featured in 38 FA Cup matches, leaving an indelible mark with 14 goals and five assists.

Paul Scholes (4 wins)

Paul Scholes, a midfield maestro and Manchester United icon, played a pivotal role in the legendary treble triumph of 1999 (Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup).

Scoring in the FA Cup final that same year, he clinched his third title (1994, 1996), with another to follow in 2004. A remarkable 11-time English champion with United, Scholes epitomized an era with his unrivalled record and unwavering tenacity on the pitch.

David Seaman (4 wins)

During his 13-year tenure at Arsenal, David Seaman endeared himself to Gunners fans, earning accolades as a double Premier League winner in 541 appearances.

Standing tall at 6ft3in, he played a vital role in the club's history, notably securing four FA Cups (1993, 1998, 2002, 2003).

A standout moment was his remarkable save against Sheffield United in the 2003 semi-final, lauded by Peter Schmeichel as the "best stop I have ever seen." This feat coincided with Seaman's 1000th career game, showcasing his enduring brilliance.

Ryan Giggs (4 wins)

Ryan Giggs' inclusion in the FA Cup centenary team, coupled with his four cup triumphs (1994, 1996, 1999, 2004), underscores his profound impact on both the competition and football at large. Reflecting on history, one cannot overlook his iconic goal in the 1999 semi-final replay between Arsenal and Manchester United.

On April 14th, Giggs embarked on a stunning solo run from his own half, bypassing Arsenal's staunch defence to fire past David Seaman, securing United's victory and a berth in the final.

This unforgettable moment not only showcased Giggs' brilliance but also marked the end of an era, as it was the last goal scored in an FA Cup semi-final replay before the introduction of extra time and penalties the following season.

Patrick Vieira (5 wins)

Patrick Vieira, a member of the exclusive five-time FA Cup winners' club, achieved this remarkable feat during stints with Arsenal and Manchester City.

His four titles with the Gunners (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005) culminated with a final triumph in his farewell match for Arsenal before he joined Manchester City in 2011.

Vieira's legacy in English football was firmly established through his blend of Premier League and FA Cup successes, highlighting his talent and impact.

John Terry (5 wins)

John Terry's illustrious career at Chelsea spanned nearly 20 years, marked by a staggering 717 appearances. His consistent performances underscored his remarkable longevity. As the iconic captain, he led the Blues to victory in 15 titles across five competitions.

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Among his achievements are five Premier League titles and five FA Cup triumphs (2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012). In a memorable moment, Terry scored the decisive goal in the 2002 semi-final against Fulham, propelling Chelsea to the final. Throughout his FA Cup journey, Terry featured in 59 matches and netted 11 goals.

Petr Cech (5 wins)

Petr Cech's legendary career includes a memorable save against Andy Carroll in the 2012 final, preserving Chelsea's victory.

Across 38 FA Cup appearances, he kept a clean sheet in 16 matches, almost 50% of the time. However, this remarkable statistic is just a glimpse of his illustrious career.

In 15 years in England (11 at Chelsea, four at Arsenal), he secured five FA Cup trophies, four with Chelsea (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012) and one with Arsenal in 2017, although he didn't play in the final.

Ashley Cole (7 wins)

Ashley Cole stands as the record-holder for the most FA Cup triumphs, solidifying his status as an English football legend.

His seven titles, starting with Arsenal in 2002, remain unparalleled in the competition's almost 150-year history. After securing two more with Arsenal in 2003 and 2005, Cole continued his success at Chelsea, adding four additional FA Cup victories in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2012.

Despite playing 49 FA Cup games, he scored just one goal, which came during his tenure at Derby County towards the end of his career.