Winning football’s biggest prizes takes talent, timing, and a touch of destiny. But securing all three — the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or — is almost impossible. Across more than a century of the sport, only nine players have ever achieved it. This is football’s most exclusive club.
Summary
- Only nine players in history have won the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d’Or.
- Legends on the list include Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, and Franz Beckenbauer.
- This rare achievement spans more than 50 years of football, from Bobby Charlton in the 1960s to Messi in 2022.
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s case is unique. For years, critics pointed to his lack of a World Cup as the only missing piece of his career. That changed in 2022, when he lifted the trophy in Qatar after a masterclass performance across the tournament. Already armed with four Champions League wins at Barcelona and a record eight Ballon d’Or trophies, Messi became the first active player in decades to complete this rare treble.
2. Ronaldinho Gaúcho
Few footballers entertained like Ronaldinho. His mix of samba flair, nutmegs, and dribbling made him the face of the sport in the mid-2000s. He was crucial in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup win, famously lobbing David Seaman from long range. With Barcelona, he won the 2006 Champions League, and his magical 2005 Ballon d’Or season made him football’s biggest showman.
3. Kaká
The last Brazilian before Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d’Or, Kaká’s 2007 campaign with AC Milan was perfect. He destroyed Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final, then guided Milan to glory in Athens. Earlier in his career, he had been part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup squad, which gave him the rare honor of joining this elite list.
4. Rivaldo
The last Brazilian before Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d’Or, Kaká’s 2007 campaign with AC Milan was perfect. He destroyed Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final, then guided Milan to glory in Athens. Earlier in his career, he had been part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup squad, which gave him the rare honor of joining this elite list.
5. Zinedine Zidane
Zidane is remembered for his elegance and control, as well as his ability to deliver on the biggest games. His two goals in the 1998 World Cup final gave France its first title, and that same year he collected the Ballon d’Or. In 2002, his left-footed volley against Bayer Leverkusen sealed the Champions League for Real Madrid — one of the most iconic goals in football history.
6. Paolo Rossi
Paolo Rossi’s story is one of redemption. After serving a ban in the early ’80s, he came back to lead Italy to the 1982 World Cup, scoring a legendary hat-trick against Brazil. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer, won the Ballon d’Or the same year, and later added the 1985 European Cup with Juventus. His performance in Spain remains one of the greatest individual World Cup campaigns ever.
7. Gerd Müller
Nicknamed “Der Bomber,” Müller was a relentless striker who redefined goalscoring. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1970, scored the winner in the 1974 World Cup final, and lifted three straight European Cups with Bayern Munich. With over 700 career goals, Müller stood as one of football’s greatest poachers.
8. Franz Beckenbauer
Known as “Der Kaiser,” Franz Beckenbauer changed what it meant to be a defender. Playing as a libero, he stepped out from the back with elegance and authority, something unusual in the 1960s and ’70s. He captained West Germany to the 1974 World Cup, collected two Ballon d’Or trophies in 1972 and 1976, and with Bayern Munich he lifted three straight European Cups.
9. Bobby Charlton
A survivor of the Munich air disaster, Bobby Charlton became the face of Manchester United’s recovery. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1966, the same year he led England to its only World Cup title. In 1968, he captained United to their first European Cup, scoring twice in the final against Benfica. His leadership and long-range shooting made him one of England’s most admired players.
A rare club in football history
Just nine players have ever managed to win the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or. The group goes from Bobby Charlton and Gerd Müller in the ’60s and ’70s to Lionel Messi in 2022. Looking ahead, Kylian Mbappé is the closest modern candidate — he already owns a World Cup, has Champions League finals behind him, and is a regular Ballon d’Or contender. Fans and bookmakers follow these milestones closely, especially with the rise of betting in the US, where football markets continue to expand. Until that day comes, the nine remain a very exclusive circle.
FAQs
Who was the first player to achieve all three titles?
Bobby Charlton set the standard. He won the World Cup and Ballon d’Or in 1966, then added the European Cup in 1968 with Manchester United.
Which player has the most Ballon d’Ors on this list?
Lionel Messi tops everyone with eight Ballon d’Ors, more than the other eight players combined. Alongside his Champions League wins and World Cup in 2022, his record is unmatched.
Could Cristiano Ronaldo ever join them?
No. Cristiano Ronaldo has five Ballon d’Ors and five Champions League titles but never lifted the World Cup with Portugal. His Euro 2016 triumph is historic, but without the World Cup, the triple crown is out of reach.
