In the world of professional football, certain trophies carry a significance that elevates a player's career to legendary status. While many strive for greatness, only a select group has managed to complete the rare triple crown: winning the Ballon d'Or, the Champions League, and the World Cup. Currently, only ten players in history have achieved this feat, but Spain midfielder Rodri is just one victory away from becoming the 11th member of this elite club.
The 30-year-old has already secured two of these prestigious honors. He played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s 2023 Champions League success, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan. A year later, he earned individual acclaim by winning the Ballon d'Or, becoming only the second Spanish player to receive the award after Luis Suárez Miramontes in 1960. Now, Rodri looks to complete the set as Spain prepares to face Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final. Throughout the tournament, he has been central to manager Luis de la Fuente’s tactics, providing composure and tactical discipline in midfield despite having battled injuries in the months prior.
The list of players who have already accomplished this trifecta is composed of the game's greatest icons. Lionel Messi, who secured his eighth Ballon d'Or and four Champions League titles before leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, is the most recent addition. Other legendary names include Zinedine Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup and the 2002 Champions League; Ousmane Dembélé, who won the 2018 World Cup and the 2025 Champions League; and Brazilian stars Ronaldinho, Kaká, who followed in 2007, and Rivaldo, who picked up the Ballon d'Or in 1999. The list is rounded out by English icon Bobby Charlton, who won the Ballon d'Or and World Cup in 1966 before helping Manchester United win the European Cup in 1968; German greats Franz Beckenbauer, who won the Ballon d'Or and the 1974 World Cup, and Gerd Müller, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1970 and the 1974 World Cup; and Italian striker Paolo Rossi, the star of the 1982 World Cup who completed the collection with the European Cup in 1985.
With Spain's upcoming match against Argentina, Rodri stands only 90 minutes away from cementing his legacy among football's all-time greats. As he anchors the midfield for his national team, he remains a standout figure of his generation, and a win on Sunday would confirm his place in one of the sport's most exclusive groups.
