All footballers to win World Cup, Euros & Ballon d'Or

These players are part of an exclusive list to win these accolades

FIFA World Cup together with Ballon d’Or and European Championships is often referred to as Holy Trinity. The FIFA World Cup is arguably the most prestigious trophy in football. The best national teams compete against each other to win the ultimate prize.

The UEFA European Championship, famously known as the Euros, is held to determine the champion of Europe. National teams from across the continent contend to win the Euros, the second most-watched football tournament after the FIFA World Cup.

The French magazine France Football presents the Ballon d’Or annually to the footballer who has performed brilliantly and consistently throughout the season. The award has been handed out every year since 1956.

Only a select few footballers have had the chance and put in the hard work to win these three glorious accolades. Let’s take a look at all the players to win the FIFA World Cup, European Championship, and Ballon d’Or.

4. Franz Beckenbauer

The German legend is the only defender to win the Ballon d’Or twice. He is considered the player who invented the sweeper defender role: a defensive player who also contributes to the attacking side of the game. Franz Beckenbauer won the Ballon d’Or in 1972 and 1976.

Franz captained West Germany to a World Cup victory in 1974 and a European Championship triumph in 1972. West Germany earlier failed in 1966 and 1970 before eventually winning the 1974 World Cup. In 1972, West Germany beat the Soviet Union 3-0 in the European Championship final. This led Beckenbauer to become part of an exclusive list of players to win all three accolades and cemented his status as a football and German legend.

3. Gerd Müller

Yet another German legend has made this list. Müller’s presence in the national team was influential, as he was a key player and clinical goalscorer. Gerd Müller performed extremely well for Bayern Munich, but it was his showing for his country that led him to winning the 1970 Ballon d’Or.

Gerd Müller scored 10 goals in the 1970 World Cup, giving him an edge over other players to claim the Ballon d’Or. In the next World Cup in 1974, Müller’s winner in the final against the Netherlands secured West Germany the trophy. Müller scored four goals in the 1972 European Championship as West Germany eventually won by beating the Soviet Union 3-0 in the final.

2. Zinedine Zidane

Often considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time, if not the greatest, it is no surprise that Zidane made this exclusive list. Zinedine Zidane led France to World Cup glory in 1998. Zidane was a key player throughout the tournament and showed his dominance in the final against Brazil, scoring two headers in the first half and eventually being named Man of the Match after France’s triumph.

After winning the 1998 World Cup, Zidane played a pivotal role in France’s 2000 European Championship success as well. France beat Italy 2-1 in the Euro 2000 final, and Zinedine Zidane was named Player of the Tournament.

Zidane won the 1998 Ballon d’Or because of his key performances for France and Juventus. Zidane played a crucial role in France’s 1998 World Cup victory and scored 31 goals for Juventus, helping them win the Serie A.

1. Lothar Matthäus

The most-capped German player of all time with 150 appearances, Lothar Matthäus has been to nine major international tournaments for Germany. Matthäus is also part of another exclusive list of players to appear at five FIFA World Cups. Lothar Matthäus made his debut for West Germany in 1980 and was part of the 1980 European Championship-winning German squad.

Lothar Matthäus faced a lot of struggles with West Germany before finally winning the World Cup. Germany lost consecutive World Cup finals in 1982 and 1986 against Italy and Argentina, respectively. Matthäus then captained West Germany to glory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Matthäus scored four goals from midfield, including a brace in the opening match and a crucial goal in the quarterfinals

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