Do you know there are players who completed football? Yes like accomplished everything in football. After winning the 2022 World Cup, it is confirmed that Lionel Messi has accomplished everything in football. Having already secured every other major trophy, the World Cup victory served as the final piece of the puzzle. However, Messi isn’t the sole player fitting into this category. There are others who have also completed football. Let’s delve into nine players who have achieved this feat.
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Players who completed Football
This article focuses on players who have triumphed in the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or, marking the zenith of international football, club football, and individual excellence, respectively. Hence, players like Toni Kroos and Manuel Neuer, despite winning the World Cup and every conceivable club trophy, won’t be featured because they haven’t clinched the Ballon d’Or. Let’s proceed to the list
1. Lionel Messi
Messi has undeniably solidified himself as the greatest player to have ever graced the pitch. For years, rival fans attempted to diminish his numerous accomplishments, with Barcelona skeptics arguing that he couldn’t replicate his success beyond the confines of the Catalan club. However, in the twilight of his career, Messi silenced all doubts and ultimately achieved the pinnacle of football.
He secured the Copa America in 2021 and capped it off with the World Cup in 2022. With a record eight Ballon d’Or awards and four Champions League titles, he stands among a select few who have completed the European treble twice.
Adding to his illustrious career, Lionel Messi stands above all others as the most decorated footballer in history. In the realm of footballers completing the sport, nobody has quite accomplished it like Lionel Messi
2. Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho is both one of the most entertaining players the sport has ever seen and remarkably successful, despite not amassing an extensive collection of trophies. The Brazilian maestro ensured he won at least one of every major accolade.
He secured a Champions League title with Barcelona in 2006, a Copa America with Brazil in 1999, the World Cup in 2002, and the Ballon d’Or in 2005. As a result, upon his retirement, there was absolutely nothing missing from his illustrious career.
3. Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton was part of the timeless squad that secured England’s only World Cup to date in 1966. For his contributions in that tournament, he won the Golden Ball and was subsequently awarded the Ballon d’Or later that year. In 1968, he clinched the European Cup with Manchester United. This man stands as the sole Englishman who can boast of having completed football.
4. Paolo Rossi
Paolo Rossi won the World Cup in 1982, and as the standout player of the tournament, he unsurprisingly won the Ballon d’Or that year. He stands as one of the very few players to have clinched both the World Cup Golden Boot and the Golden Ball, achieving both awards at the 1982 tournament. Three years later, he went on to win the European Cup with Juventus, effectively completing a remarkable football career.
5. Gerd Muller
Gerd Muller won the Ballon d’Or in 1970, claimed victory in the Euros in 1972, achieved a three-peat in the European Cup with Bayern Munich between 1974 and 1976, and then triumphed in the World Cup with West Germany in 1974. He is the representation of German player completing football.
6. Franz Beckanbaeur
Then we have Franz Beckenbauer, who also won the Euros in 1972, achieved a three-peat in the European Cup with Bayern Munich between 1974 and 1976, won the World Cup in 1974, and secured the Ballon d’Or twice in 1972 and 1976. He stands as another significant German representation completing football.
7. Zinedine Zidane
Let’s now head over to France. And there’s only one individual from that part of the world who has completed football, none other than Zinedine Zidane. He won the World Cup and the Ballon d’Or in 1998, claimed victory in the Euros in 2000, and then secured the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002. They don’t call him one of the greatest players in football history for no reason.
8. Rivaldo
Returning to Brazil, do you remember Rivaldo? He, too, accomplished the pinnacle of football. He clinched the Ballon d’Or in 1999, secured the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, and then triumphed in the Champions League with Milan in 2003.
9. Kaka
The other Brazilian who has completed football also earned his Champions League medal in Milan. We’re referring to none other than Kaka.
He secured the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, then attained the Champions League victory with AC Milan in 2007, earning his first and only Ballon d’Or. Kaka is easily one of the most down-to-earth players ever. This man truly achieved every possible honor as a professional footballer and was even seen casually playing Sunday League football after retiring. What a remarkable individual!
Now, who do you think will be the next player to complete football? Kylian Mbappe, perhaps? He has already won the World Cup; all he needs are the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or to complete the set.
Neymar could still achieve it if he manages to secure a World Cup win with Brazil in 2026 and clinches the Ballon d’Or that year.
And you simply can’t rule out Cristiano Ronaldo, showing up at the 2026 World Cup and leading Portugal to glory, adding another chapter to the incredible career he has had.
There’s a dark horse in this race: Julian Alvarez. At the age of 23, he has already won the Copa America, the World Cup, the Champions League, and even completed a European treble. A Ballon d’Or at any point in his career would be the crowning achievement for him.
But we want to hear from you. Who do you think will become the 10th person to complete football? Share your thoughts in the comments.
