There are now nine players in the history of football who have achieved one of the sport’s rarest and most prestigious combinations: winning the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League (or European Cup), and the Ballon d’Or. With Ousmane Dembélé’s victory in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, following his Champions League triumph with Paris Saint-Germain and his 2018 World Cup medal with France, he becomes part of a very exclusive club.
The list begins with England’s Sir Bobby Charlton, who lifted the World Cup in 1966, went on to win the European Cup with Manchester United in 1968, and also claimed the Ballon d’Or in that same golden year of 1966. Germany produced two legends who joined this group: Franz Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner in 1974, a multiple European Cup champion with Bayern Munich, and a Ballon d’Or recipient in 1972 and 1976; and Gerd Müller, who played a pivotal role in Germany’s 1974 World Cup victory, won the European Cup, and was honoured with the Ballon d’Or in 1970.
Italy’s Paolo Rossi carved his name into football history by firing his nation to the 1982 World Cup title. That same year he was crowned Ballon d’Or winner, while also going on to secure the European Cup with Juventus. France’s Zinedine Zidane joined the club after inspiring Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 1998, lifting the Champions League with Real Madrid, and taking home the Ballon d’Or that same year.
Brazil, famed for producing magicians, gave the list three more names. Rivaldo, a 2002 World Cup champion, won the Champions League with Barcelona and captured the Ballon d’Or in 1999. Kaká followed suit with a World Cup in 2002, a Champions League triumph with AC Milan in 2007, and the Ballon d’Or in the same year. Ronaldinho Gaúcho added sparkle with his 2002 World Cup, his 2006 Champions League victory with Barcelona, and the 2005 Ballon d’Or.
Finally, Lionel Messi stands as one of the greatest of all time, combining Argentina’s World Cup victory in 2022, four Champions League crowns with Barcelona, and a record eight Ballon d’Ors across his career.
Together, these nine players form a club that symbolizes ultimate football greatness — the rare blend of team triumphs on the global and European stage, matched with individual brilliance recognised as the best in the world.
Africa Digital News, New York
