Only nine professional footballers have won the titles of two of the most important tournaments on the planet, in addition to the highest individual award. Winning the Champions League, the World Cup and the Ballon d'Or is evidence of the great individual hierarchy and temperament of these players.
The Champions League and the World Cup are the most demanding competitions on the planet and are a dream for those who dedicate themselves to the profession of football.
In addition, winning the Ballon d'Or, the title corresponding to the best player of the year, fulfils all the expectations and utopias of any footballer.
Of the nine stars who have had the joy of being crowned champions of both Europe and the world, five are European and four are South American.
Here, the select group of established stars:
Bobby Charlton
Ballon d'Or in 1966 - Champions League with Manchester United in 1968 - World Cup with England in 1966
Franz Beckenbauer
Ballon d'Or in 1972 and 1976 - Champions League with Bayern Munich in 1974, 1975 and 1976 - World Cup with West Germany in 1974.
Gerd Müller
Ballon d'Or in 1970 - Champions League with Bayern Munich in 1974, 1975 and 1976 - World Cup with West Germany in 1974.
Kaka
Ballon d'Or in 2007 - Champions League with Milan in 2007 - World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
Paolo Rossi
Ballon d'Or in 1982 - Champions League with Juventus in 1985 - World Cup with Italy in 1982.
Rivaldo
Ballon d'Or in 1999 - Champions League with Milan in 2002 - World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
Ronaldinho
Ballon d'Or in 2005 - Champions League with Barcelona in 2006 - World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
Zinedine Zidane
Ballon d'Or in 1998 - Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002 - World Cup with France in 1998.
Leo Messi
Ballon d'Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023 - Champions League with Barcelona in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015 - World Cup with Argentina in 2022