The 10 footballers who have won the World Cup, Ballon d'Or and UEFA Champions League

• Football's ultimate "holy trinity" consists of three of the game's biggest honours: the FIFA World Cup, the Ballon d'Or and the UEFA Champions League. Only 10 players have completed this extraordinary feat
• Legends such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Franz Beckenbauer, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Kaká and Lionel Messi are among the exclusive group of players to have won all three of football's greatest prizes
• Rodri became the latest member of the elite club after adding the FIFA World Cup to his UEFA Champions League and Ballon d'Or triumphs, cementing his place among football's all-time greats

Winning one of football's biggest prizes is enough to secure a place in history. Winning two is the mark of a legend. But only a select few have managed to complete what many fans consider football's "holy trinity"—lifting the FIFA World Cup, winning the Ballon d'Or, and conquering the UEFA Champions League.

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri recently joined this exclusive club after adding the Ballon d'Or to his already impressive collection, having won the 2023 UEFA Champions League with City and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, before helping Spain win Euro 2024. With Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph and his Ballon d'Or success, Rodri became just the 10th player to achieve the remarkable feat.

Here's a look at the 10 players who have completed football's ultimate trophy treble.

1. Bobby Charlton (England)

Sir Bobby Charlton was the first player to complete the trio. He won the 1966 FIFA World Cup with England, lifted the 1968 European Cup (now UEFA Champions League) with Manchester United, and claimed the 1966 Ballon d'Or after a remarkable year.

2. Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)

Known as "Der Kaiser", Beckenbauer revolutionised the sweeper role. He captained West Germany to victory at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, won three consecutive European Cups with Bayern Munich between 1974 and 1976, and collected two Ballon d'Or awards in 1972 and 1976.

3. Gerd Müller (Germany)

One of football's greatest goalscorers, Müller won the 1974 World Cup, three European Cups with Bayern Munich, and the 1970 Ballon d'Or. His incredible scoring record remains one of the best in football history.

4. Paolo Rossi (Italy)

Rossi's unforgettable performances at the 1982 FIFA World Cup inspired Italy to glory. That same year, he won the Ballon d'Or before later adding the 1985 European Cup with Juventus to complete the collection.

5. Zinedine Zidane (France)

Zidane dazzled football fans throughout his career. He inspired France to win the 1998 FIFA World Cup, received the 1998 Ballon d'Or, and won the 2002 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, scoring one of the competition's most iconic goals in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.

6. Rivaldo (Brazil)

The Brazilian playmaker enjoyed an extraordinary career, winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 1999 Ballon d'Or, and the 2003 UEFA Champions League with AC Milan.

7. Ronaldinho (Brazil)

Few players entertained fans like Ronaldinho. The Brazilian magician lifted the 2002 World Cup, won the 2005 Ballon d'Or, and helped Barcelona win the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League, cementing his place among football's greatest entertainers.

8. Kaká (Brazil)

Kaká was the last Brazilian to win the Ballon d'Or before a long era dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He claimed the 2002 FIFA World Cup, inspired AC Milan to the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, and won the 2007 Ballon d'Or.

9. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

After years of coming close, Messi finally completed football's greatest set of honours. He won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, lifted the UEFA Champions League four times with Barcelona, and has won a record number of Ballon d'Or awards, further strengthening his claim as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

10. Rodri (Spain)

Rodri's rise has been defined by consistency, intelligence and composure. He scored the winning goal as Manchester City claimed their first-ever UEFA Champions League title in 2023, established himself as one of the world's best midfielders, and earned the Ballon d'Or. His role in Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph completed one of football's rarest achievements, making him the latest member of this elite group.

Why this achievement is so rare

Winning the World Cup depends on international success, the Champions League demands sustained excellence at club level, and the Ballon d'Or recognises individual brilliance. Excelling in all three requires exceptional talent, consistency, longevity and often a little luck.

Many football legends have won two of the three honours, but only 10 players have managed to complete the full set.

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