Rodri Earns His Place Among Messi, Zidane, and Ronaldinho in Exclusive World Cup Champions Club

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has achieved yet another extraordinary milestone in his storied career, becoming just the 11th male player in history to win the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d'Or.

Spain edged Argentina 1–0 to clinch the 2026 World Cup on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. La Roja earned a second star on their badge following a commanding World Cup run in which Rodri served as the driving force throughout.

Rodri has now secured the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d'Or within the span of three years, arguably collecting the three most coveted honors in the sport of soccer.

Two years after lifting the 2024 European Championship and being named player of the tournament, the 30-year-old midfielder claimed his first World Cup title and was once again honored with the Golden Ball award. His list of accomplishments is becoming impossible to overlook — he arguably boasts the most impressive trophy haul of any player in his position in the history of the game.

Rodri completed the extraordinary trilogy, joining an elite group of 11 players that features some of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game.

Every Player to Win World Cup, Champions League, Ballon d'Or

Rodri netted the decisive goal for Man City to secure their first-ever Champions League crown in 2023. The following year, he claimed the Ballon d'Or after steering Spain to European glory, and now he has rounded off the coveted trio of honors with the World Cup, toppling the defending champions in the process.

It proved to be a tournament too far for Argentina and Lionel Messi, who joined this exclusive group when he hoisted the 2022 World Cup trophy in Qatar. Despite falling short of retaining the title, the enduring legacy of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and four-time Champions League champion was only further cemented this summer.

England and Manchester United icon Bobby Charlton was the original member of this distinguished group, winning the World Cup and Ballon d'Or in 1966 before achieving European glory with United two years later. He was subsequently followed by arguably the two greatest German footballers of all time, Gerd Müller and Franz Beckenbauer.

The duo triumphed with Germany at the 1974 World Cup, the same year they began Bayern Munich's remarkable run of three consecutive European Cup victories. Between them, they claimed three Ballons d'Or from 1970 to 1976.

Paolo Rossi led Italy to World Cup glory in 1982 and was awarded the Ballon d'Or later that same year. He would go on to spearhead Juventus to their first European title in 1985. The next addition to the list came when French icon Zinedine Zidane won the World Cup and Ballon d'Or in 1998, then delivered the Champions League to Real Madrid with his legendary volley in 2002.

Brazilian trio Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaká were all part of the Seleção squad that lifted the 2002 World Cup. Rivaldo was the first to join the club, having won the Ballon d'Or in 1999 and the Champions League with AC Milan in 2003. Ronaldinho followed with his 2005 Ballon d'Or and a Champions League triumph with Barcelona the year after. Finally, Kaká's magnificent 2007 saw him claim European glory with Milan before being honored with the prestigious individual accolade.

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Last year, reigning Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembélé became the 10th player to reach this remarkable milestone, claiming the individual prize after helping Paris Saint-Germain win their first-ever Champions League title. Seven years prior, a 21-year-old Dembélé had won the 2018 World Cup with France.

Two women's players have also completed this monumental trilogy, making Rodri the third Spanish midfielder to enter the club. Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí have shared the last five women's Ballon d'Or awards between them, alongside four Champions League titles with Barça Femení and the 2023 World Cup with Spain.