10 Legends Who Have Won the Ballon d’Or, the Champions League, and the World Cup
Only the greatest footballers in history can dream of winning all three of the sport’s most prestigious honors — the Ballon d’Or, the Champions League, and the World Cup. It’s the ultimate treble that symbolizes not just talent, but dominance on every stage: club, international, and individual.
To this day, only ten players have ever achieved this near-impossible feat — legends whose names are forever written into football’s golden history.
Bobby Charlton
The English icon became the first player to complete the incredible treble of winning the Ballon d’Or, the World Cup, and the European Cup. Sir Bobby Charlton led England to their only World Cup triumph in 1966 and later guided Manchester United to European glory in 1968. His leadership, goals, and sportsmanship made him a symbol of English football.
Gerd Müller
Known as “Der Bomber,” Gerd Müller was one of the most prolific goalscorers the game has ever seen. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1970 after dominating both for Bayern Munich and West Germany, later adding the World Cup in 1974. Müller’s goals also drove Bayern to three straight European Cup victories, cementing his legacy as a goal machine.
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer, “Der Kaiser,” revolutionized the defender’s role and became one of football’s greatest leaders. He won two Ballon d’Or awards (1972 and 1976), captained West Germany to World Cup glory in 1974, and led Bayern Munich to three consecutive European Cups. His elegance and tactical brilliance changed the game forever.
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Paolo Rossi
Paolo Rossi wrote his name into football folklore with his unforgettable performances at the 1982 World Cup, where he scored six goals, including a hat-trick against Brazil. That same year, he won the Ballon d’Or and later lifted the European Cup with Juventus in 1985. Rossi remains one of Italy’s greatest ever strikers and a true national hero.
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane was the heartbeat of France’s golden generation, inspiring his country to win the 1998 World Cup with two goals in the final. That same year he lifted the Ballon d’Or, and in 2002, he added the Champions League title with Real Madrid — scoring one of the greatest goals in the tournament’s history. A master of grace and control, Zidane was footballing artistry personified.
Rivaldo
Rivaldo’s combination of power, skill, and creativity made him one of Brazil’s finest attacking midfielders. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1999 after a stunning season with Barcelona and lifted the World Cup with Brazil in 2002. The following year, he completed his legendary treble by winning the Champions League with AC Milan, joining the sport’s most elite group.
Ronaldinho
Few players have ever brought as much joy to football as Ronaldinho. The Brazilian magician lifted the World Cup in 2002, the Ballon d’Or in 2005, and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006. With his dazzling dribbles and infectious smile, he redefined what it meant to play the game with freedom and flair.
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Kaká
Kaká’s 2007 season remains one of the greatest individual campaigns in football history. After helping Brazil win the 2002 World Cup as a young star, he guided AC Milan to Champions League glory in 2007 with world-class performances throughout the knockout rounds. His brilliance earned him the Ballon d’Or that same year, the last player to win it before the Messi-Ronaldo era.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s football story reached its emotional peak when he lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. Already a multiple Ballon d’Or winner and four-time Champions League champion with Barcelona, Messi’s triumph in Qatar completed his legendary career. His unmatched consistency and record-breaking achievements make him arguably the greatest of all time.
Ousmane Dembélé
Ousmane Dembélé became the tenth member of this exclusive club after winning the Ballon d’Or in 2025. The French winger, already a World Cup champion in 2018, led Paris Saint-Germain to their first-ever Champions League title and was named the world’s best player. From a once-injured prodigy to global superstar, Dembélé’s rise is one of football’s great comeback stories.
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