The 9 Top Players Who Have Won Ballon d’Or, Champions League And World Cup
- Think Football Ideas
- Aug 20
- 5 min read
9 Legends Who Conquered Football: Winners of the Ballon d’Or, Champions League, and World Cup
There are footballers who dream of lifting one of the game’s great trophies, and then there are others who go further, those rare figures who manage to dominate in every arena the sport has to offer.
The elite not only shine for their clubs but also become the heartbeat of their national teams. They win the sport’s most prestigious individual award, the Ballon d’Or, and also taste glory in both the Champions League and the World Cup.
This triple crown of footballing achievement is so rare that only nine players in history have managed it. Their stories span decades, from black-and-white television to the age of high-definition streaming, but each stunned audiences and left a lasting impact on the game.
Below Are The 9 Top Players Who Have Won Ballon d’Or, Champions League And The World Cup
9. Lionel Messi
Ballon d’Or: 8 wins (2009–2023)
World Cup: 2022 (Argentina captain)
Champions League: 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015 (Barcelona)
For years, Lionel Messi’s career seemed like it had everything, goals by the hundreds, Champions League titles with Barcelona, and a record-breaking haul of Ballon d’Or awards.
Yet one prize always seemed to hover out of reach, and it was the World Cup. That changed in 2022, when he led Argentina to triumph in Qatar with a series of masterclass performances that silenced any lingering debates about his greatness. Messi’s trophy cabinet now holds every honour the sport can offer.
8. Kaká
Ballon d’Or: 2007
World Cup: 2002
Champions League: 2007 (AC Milan)
Kaká’s rise was a story of elegance meeting efficiency. While his role in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup victory was brief, his later exploits at AC Milan were unforgettable.
In the 2006/07 Champions League campaign, he dismantled Manchester United almost single-handedly in the semi-finals before lifting the trophy in Athens. His Ballon d’Or win that year was the last before the Messi-Ronaldo era took over the award.
7. Ronaldinho
Ballon d’Or: 2005
World Cup: 2002
Champions League: 2006 (Barcelona)
Ronaldinho didn’t only play football, he performed, and entertained. His smile, his tricks, and his vision made him a joy to watch.
After winning the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, he became the face of Barcelona’s renaissance under Frank Rijkaard, claiming the Ballon d’Or in 2005. The following season, he helped deliver the Champions League title with moments of magic that remain etched in fans’ memories.
6. Rivaldo
Ballon d’Or: 1999
World Cup: 2002
Champions League: 2003 (AC Milan)
Rivaldo was a master of the spectacular. From bicycle kicks to bending free kicks into the top corner, he could change a game in an instant. His 1999 Ballon d’Or came after a sensational year at the Camp Nou, where he became one of the top 10 Barcelona forwards of all time.
Three years later, he was instrumental in Brazil’s World Cup win. Although his Champions League medal with Milan came while he was a substitute in the final, his career had already proved his place among football’s greats.
5. Zinedine Zidane
Ballon d’Or: 1998
World Cup: 1998
Champions League: 2002 (Real Madrid)
Zinedine Zidane’s elegance was unmatched. He announced himself on the biggest stage with two-headed goals in the 1998 World Cup final, leading France to their first title.
He was at Juventus at the time and also flourished in his five-year stay, winning two Serie A titles, the Supercoppa Italiana and the UEFA Super Cup.
His Ballon d’Or that year was inevitable. In 2002, his perfect left-footed volley in the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen became one of the most iconic goals in football history, cementing his status as one of the best Real Madrid midfielders of all-time.
4. Paolo Rossi
Ballon d’Or: 1982
World Cup: 1982
Champions League: 1985 (Juventus)
Paolo Rossi’s World Cup story is the stuff of legend. Written off before the tournament, the Prato-born striker exploded into form in Spain, scoring six goals, including a hat-trick against Brazil, to lead Italy to victory.
3. Franz Beckenbauer
Ballon d’Or: 1972, 1976
World Cup: 1974 (captain)
Champions League: 1974–76 (Bayern Munich)
Franz Beckenbauer, also known as “Der Kaiser.” Beckenbauer redefined the role of a defender, bringing elegance and control to the backline. He captained West Germany to the 1974 World Cup and the UEFA European Championship in 1972.
During his 13-year stitnt at Bayern Munich, he led them to several triumphs, including three consecutive European Cups in 1974, 1975 and 1976. His two Ballon d’Or wins remain a rare feat for a defender to this day.
2. Gerd Müller
Ballon d’Or: 1970
World Cup: 1974
Champions League: 1974–76 (Bayern Munich)
Few players have been as lethal in front of goal as Gerd Müller. His 10 goals in the 1970 World Cup and decisive strike in the 1974 final are part of football folklore.
At club level, he was the spearhead of Bayern Munich’s dominance in Europe, winning three straight European Cups in the 70s. He also won four Bundesliga titles with the Bavarians.
1. Bobby Charlton
Ballon d’Or: 1966
World Cup: 1966
Champions League: 1968 (Manchester United)
Sir Bobby Charlton stands as a symbol of English football. After playing a pivotal role in England’s only World Cup triumph in 1966, he helped Manchester United to European glory in 1968, scoring twice in the final against Benfica.
As the first man to achieve this remarkable treble after overcoming adversity in the Munich air disaster, Charlton set the standard for generations to come.
This elite group spans eras, styles, and continents, but they share one thing which is the ability to rise to football’s biggest occasions and win everything there is to win.
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