10 Greatest Players to Win the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d'Or

Winning the UEFA Champions League, the Ballon d’Or, and the FIFA World Cup is the ultimate hat-trick in world football — and only 10 players in history have ever achieved it. PSG star Ousmane Dembélé is the latest to join this ultra-exclusive club. 

Let’s take a look at the legendary names who have completed this rare and prestigious treble.

Sir Bobby Charlton - FIFA World Cup – 1966, Ballon d’Or – 1966, European Cup – 1968

Legendary English forward Sir Bobby Charlton achieved football’s greatest honors in just three years. In 1966, he played a key role in helping England win the World Cup, scoring three crucial goals during the tournament. That same year, his outstanding performances earned him the prestigious Ballon d'Or. Just two years later, in 1968, he lifted the European Cup (now known as the UEFA Champions League) with Manchester United, completing a remarkable personal and professional treble.

Gerd Muller - FIFA World Cup – 1974, Ballon d’Or – 1970, European Cup – 1974, 75, 76

Goal machine and legendary German striker Gerd Müller is part of an elite group of players who have won all three of football's most prestigious trophies. Müller played a key role in West Germany’s dominant World Cup victory in 1974, scoring 4 goals during the tournament, including the winning goal in the final.

That same year, he began a remarkable run with Bayern Munich, winning the European Cup three times in a row — in 1974, 1975, and 1976. Müller’s incredible goal-scoring talent was recognized early when he won the Ballon d'Or in 1970.

Franz Beckenbauer - FIFA World Cup – 1974, Ballon d’Or – 1972, 76, European Cup – 1974, 75, 76

Gerd Müller’s teammate, Franz Beckenbauer, also makes the list. A legendary figure in football, Beckenbauer was part of West Germany’s 1974 World Cup-winning team and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He played a key role in Bayern Munich’s historic run of three consecutive European Cup titles in 1974, 1975, and 1976. Over the course of his illustrious career, he won the Ballon d’Or twice — in 1972 and 1976.

Paolo Rossi - FIFA World Cup – 1982, Ballon d’Or – 1982, Champions League – 1985

The summer of 1982 was unforgettable for legendary Italian striker Paolo Rossi. With six goals, he played a crucial role in leading Italy to their third World Cup title. His outstanding performances in the knockout stages earned him the tournament's Best Player award. That same year, Rossi was also honored with the prestigious Ballon d’Or. A few years later, in 1985, he added another major achievement to his career when Juventus won the Champions League, cementing his place among football’s elite.

Zinedine Zidane - FIFA World Cup – 1998, Ballon d’Or – 1998, Champions League – 2002

For any ’90s kid who grew up watching football, Zinedine Zidane was nothing short of a legend. His two unforgettable goals in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil didn’t just win France their first-ever World Cup — they turned Zidane into a global icon. That same year, he was awarded the prestigious Ballon d’Or for his incredible performances. Four years later, in 2002, Zidane added another major trophy to his collection by winning the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, cementing his status as one of the greatest players of his generation.

Rivaldo - FIFA World Cup – 2002, Ballon d’Or – 1999, Champions League – 2003

Brazil’s national team in the late 1990s and early 2000s was packed with stars, and Rivaldo was definitely one of the brightest. He played a key role in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup victory, cementing his place in football history. On a personal level, Rivaldo also reached the pinnacle of individual success by winning the Ballon d’Or in 1999. His success wasn’t limited to international football either — in his first season with AC Milan, he helped the team win the Champions League in 2003. And Rivaldo wasn’t the only big name from that era; Brazil had several other incredible talents who made that squad truly unforgettable.

Ronaldinho - FIFA World Cup – 2002, Ballon d’Or – 2005, Champions League – 2006

One of the fans’ favorite players, Ronaldinho, is truly a football legend. He helped Brazil win the FIFA World Cup in 2002, took home the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2005, and lifted the Champions League trophy with FC Barcelona in 2006. Ronaldinho’s incredible skills also earned him a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2002 All-Star Team, cementing his place among the greats of the game.

Kaka - FIFA World Cup – 2002, Ballon d’Or – 2007, Champions League – 2007

A young Kaká only got about 20 minutes of playing time in the 2002 World Cup final, but even then, he managed to secure his place among football legends. His breakthrough year came in 2007, when he helped AC Milan win the Champions League and went on to win the Ballon d’Or, cementing his status as one of the game’s greats.

Lionel Messi - FIFA World Cup – 2022, Ballon d’Or – 2009, 10, 11, 12, 15, 19, 21, 23 Champions League – 2006, 09, 11, 15

The 2022 FIFA World Cup was all about Lionel Messi, especially after Argentina’s surprising opening loss to Saudi Arabia in the group stage. Despite the early setback and previous disappointments in major international tournaments, Messi finally achieved what many had been waiting for in Qatar. Throughout his career, he had already won the Champions League four times with Barcelona and claimed a record eight Ballon d’Or awards. But this World Cup victory, capped by a thrilling win against France in the final, added the ultimate star to his incredible legacy.

Ousmane Dembele - FIFA World Cup -2018, Ballon d’Or-2025, Champions League – 2025

Ousmane Dembélé has joined an elite group of players who have won the World Cup, the Ballon d’Or, and the Champions League—a remarkable achievement considering where many thought his career was headed.

For years, injuries at Barcelona cast doubt on whether he’d ever reach such heights, especially winning the Ballon d’Or. But his move to PSG completely changed his story. Stepping up to fill the huge shoes left by Kylian Mbappé, Dembélé became a key player in PSG’s historic run, helping them win their first-ever Champions League title and complete a treble. This success has firmly established him as a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or. On top of all that, he already had a World Cup win with France back in 2018.

It’s a stunning turnaround and proof that with resilience and the right opportunities, a player’s career can take an incredible leap.

Cover Credits - Goal.com