Top nine players to win FIFA World Cup and Champions League in the same season

Only a couple of footballers have achieved this feast

Every football player dreams of winning the FIFA World Cup and the Champions League, but doing so is a very challenging feat. With a tough group stage and nail-biting knockout stages against elite clubs, the Champions League is a difficult competition. The chances of winning are much slimmer for the World Cup, which only happens once every four years.

Nonetheless, there is a select group of athletes who have pulled off both victories in the same campaign. After winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar in December, Julian Alvarez of Manchester City or Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan will be welcomed into this exclusive club.

Note: The UEFA Champions League was earlier termed as the European Cup till 1992.

The nine players who have previously accomplished this amazing achievement are listed below:

9. Sepp Maier - 1974

Prior to helping West Germany win the World Cup at home, the custodian represented Bayern Munich in the European Cup final. West Germany's brilliant custodian Maier competed in four straight World Cups. He was essential to West Germany's thrilling 2-1 World Cup final triumph over the Netherlands. Maier also had a significant role in Bayern Munich's victory in the European Cup.

8. Paul Breitner - 1974

Breitner, a versatile player for West Germany who had previously won the European Cup with Bayern Munich, scored a key penalty in the World Cup final. The dynamic player Breitner gave West Germany a lifeline in the World Cup final after his team went behind early on. He was a member of the European Cup-winning Bayern Munich team before joining Real Madrid after their victory.

7. Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck - 1974

Schwarzenbeck's long-range equalizer against Atletico Madrid in the European Cup final helped Bayern Munich win, and he later played a key role in West Germany's World Cup triumph. Schwarzenbeck, an iconic defender, became known for scoring long-range goals even before it became popular. His equalizer against Atletico Madrid in the dying moments of extra time forced a replay, which Bayern Munich eventually won to secure the European Cup. Schwarzenbeck also played a significant role in West Germany's World Cup victory.

6. Franz Beckenbauer - 1974

West Germany's one of the biggest star won both the European Championship with Bayern and the World Cup under the great Beckenbauer, who became known as a legendary ball-playing defence. Beckenbauer also referred to as "The Kaiser," was a great football player. He was the epitome of a powerful, ball-playing central defence, and he set the bar high. Beckenbauer established himself as one of the best players of his period by leading West Germany and Bayern Munich to triumphs at the European Championship and World Cup.

5. Gerd Muller - 1974

Muller, better known as "The Bomber," gave West Germany the victory in the World Cup final. In the previous European Cup final, he had performed superbly. Muller, often known as "Der Bomber," scored goals frequently. He had a stellar track record for both West Germany and Bayern Munich, consistently finding the back of the goal. In addition to his goal-scoring prowess in the European Cup final, Muller added the game-winning goal against the Netherlands in the 1974 World Cup final.

4. Uli Hoeness - 1974

Hoeness may still take pride in having won both the World Cup and European Cup in the same year, despite being remembered for a foul on Johan Cruyff in the World Cup final. He played for Bayern Munich and was a part of the West German team that was victorious, helping them win the European Cup.

3. Christian Karembeu - 1998

Karembeu, who came from modest circumstances in New Caledonia, won the 1998 World Cup with France and the Champions League with Real Madrid. Karembeu gained fame as a defensive midfielder. He is hailed from the tiny island of New Caledonia. Prior to joining Sampdoria and eventually Real Madrid, he first gained notoriety at Nantes. With Real Madrid, Karembeu won the Champions League in 1998 before playing a significant part in France's World Cup victory.

2. Roberto Carlos - 2002

Roberto Carlos, regarded as one of the finest left-backs in football history, was crucial to Brazil's 2002 World Cup victory. He demonstrated his extraordinary abilities by helping Zinedine Zidane score the winning goal in the Champions League final. During the season, Roberto Carlos made significant contributions for both Real Madrid and Brazil.

1. Raphael Varane - 2018

A gifted central defender, Varane was successful from an early age. He has previously won several Champions League championships with Real Madrid before the year 2018. Varane represented France throughout the World Cup, demonstrating his defensive skills as they won their second championship.

These players form an illustrious group who have achieved the extraordinary feat of winning both the World Cup and the Champions League in the same season.