List of the 10 Players Who Won the World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d’Or

Winning the World Cup is the dream of every footballer, lifting the Champions League is the pinnacle of club football, and claiming the Ballon d’Or is the ultimate recognition of individual brilliance. Very few players even achieve one of these feats in their career — let alone all three.
This elite group of footballers, only ten strong, represents the rarest kind of greatness: players who dominated the game on every stage. From World Cup glory to European triumphs and global acclaim, they proved themselves as legends beyond debate. Here are the only men who have completed football’s ultimate hat-trick.

Sir Bobby Charlton

Charlton was the heart and soul of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, remembered for his powerful shooting and tireless running from midfield. Two years later, he helped Manchester United become the first English club to lift the European Cup, a symbolic triumph after the tragedy of Munich. He capped off his heroic year by winning the 1966 Ballon d’Or, solidifying his place as one of the most important figures in English football history.

Gerd Müller

Müller was a goal-scoring machine, with an astonishing ability to find the net in every way possible. He led West Germany to the 1974 World Cup title, famously scoring in the final against the Netherlands. With Bayern Munich, he won three consecutive European Cups and added the 1970 Ballon d’Or to his incredible résumé, leaving behind one of the most prolific strike records the game has ever seen.

Franz Beckenbauer

Known as “Der Kaiser,” Beckenbauer was the elegant commander of Bayern Munich and West Germany. He lifted the World Cup as captain in 1974 and then won it again as a manager in 1990 — a feat only two men have ever achieved. At club level, he spearheaded Bayern’s run of three straight European Cups (1974–1976) and earned two Ballon d’Or titles, redefining the sweeper role with his composed and attacking style.

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Paolo Rossi

Rossi’s story is one of redemption, as he returned from suspension to lead Italy to glory in the 1982 World Cup. His stunning hat-trick against Brazil in the quarterfinals remains one of the most iconic moments in tournament history. That same year, he won the Ballon d’Or and later added the European Cup with Juventus in 1985, etching his name permanently into Italian football folklore.

Rivaldo

Rivaldo was Brazil’s magician in the late 1990s and early 2000s, combining flair, power, and clinical finishing. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1999 after dazzling for Barcelona and played a crucial role in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup triumph. A year later, he added the Champions League title with AC Milan, completing his own legendary treble and proving his class at the highest level.

Ronaldinho

Few players have brought as much joy to the game as Ronaldinho, whose skill, tricks, and smile lit up football pitches everywhere. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, then spearheaded Barcelona’s resurgence, culminating in their 2006 Champions League triumph. His 2005 Ballon d’Or win was the crowning moment of an era when he was the best and most entertaining player in the world.

Kaká

Kaká represented the perfect blend of grace and effectiveness, gliding past defenders with effortless speed. He was part of Brazil’s World Cup-winning squad in 2002, though his prime came later with AC Milan. In 2007, he led Milan to Champions League glory and captured the Ballon d’Or, becoming the last player to win it before the Messi–Ronaldo duopoly began.

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Zinedine Zidane

Zidane’s career was defined by big moments on the biggest stages, from his two goals in the 1998 World Cup final to his stunning volley in the 2002 Champions League final. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1998, the same year he led France to their first-ever World Cup. His vision, technique, and composure under pressure made him one of the most elegant players of all time.

Lionel Messi

Messi had already won everything there was to win at club level with Barcelona, including four Champions League titles, when he finally completed football’s holy grail by lifting the World Cup in 2022. Along the way, he collected a record eight Ballon d’Or awards and shattered almost every scoring and assist record in sight. His combination of skill, consistency, and longevity has led many to call him the greatest player of all time.

Ousmane Dembélé

Dembélé is the latest addition to this legendary club, completing the treble in 2025. After winning the World Cup with France in 2018, he battled injuries and setbacks before rediscovering his form and helping PSG win the Champions League. His Ballon d’Or win in 2025 crowned an extraordinary comeback and confirmed his place among football’s immortals.

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