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The Ballon d'Or is considered by many as the most prestigious award individually for any footballer. It is like a dream come true for the player who wins it. On the other hand, the World Cup and Champions League titles are trophies which determine the stature of the team. Players give their very best to help their side win both these silverware at least once in their career.
Winning the Ballon d'Or, World Cup, and the Champions League is considered quite a rare feat to achieve. At present, there are only eight players who attained in their career such a unique distinction. These players are rightfully marveled at as legendary players who have won everything which the game offers.
Let us have a look at the four legendary footballers who have won the Ballon d'Or, the World Cup, and the Champions League in their career.
#4 Gerd Muller
Gerd Muller, also known as "Der Bomber" is widely regarded as one of the best strikers ever to grace the game. Being a renowned poacher, he was very efficient in front of the goal and was quite deadly to mark in the penalty area for the opposition defenders.
Muller was excellent at heading the ball into the net, had the pace to run behind the defense and could score goals out of nowhere. Along with his club and national teammate Franz Beckenbauer, he helped Bayern Munich win the European Cup 3 times in a row. In the Bundesliga, Muller has a phenomenal feat of scoring 365 goals in 427 games.
For Germany, Gerd Muller made 62 appearances, scoring a remarkable tally of 68 goals in them. Being regarded as a goalscoring machine, Muller scored a then-world record 14 goals for Germany in the 1970 World Cup. He also played a vital part in Germany's 1974 victorious World Cup campaign.
Individually, he also received the Ballon d'Or Award in 1970 for his outstanding performance in the World Cup.
Also read: Ranking the 9 best midfielders of the 21st century
#3 Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane was probably the best midfielder this world has ever seen. His name on the team sheet created fear in the minds of the opponents. His dominating personality on the football field was an inspiration for his teammates and earned him respect even from his fiercest opponents.
His control, flair, playmaking ability, pace, and the ease in which he used to move forward with the ball mesmerized his fans all over the world. Due to his style and class, Real Madrid paid Juventus a then-world record fee of €77.5m.
He won his only Champions League title in 2002 when he scored a superb goal from his weaker left-foot for Real Madrid in the final against Bayer Leverkusen. Zidane was also a part of the formidable 1998 French team which went on to win the World Cup in that year. For his outstanding performances in the World Cup, he received the 1998 Ballon d'Or Award.
#2 Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer was one of the best leaders this game has ever seen. He revolutionized the role of defenders as he introduced his prominent sweeper position also known as libero. This role emphasized that the defenders not only have the responsibility of stopping the opposition's attack but also creating one for their team through precise passing and vision. His style of play is now regularly used by defenders who like to bring the ball out of the defense by accurate passes to the midfielders.
Franz Beckenbauer was part of the Bayern Munich team which won 3 back-to-back European Cups (now known as the Champions League title) from 1974 to 1976. He is also among the very few to have won the World Cup as a player (1974) as well as a manager (1990). Individually, Beckenbauer has also won the Ballon d'Or twice, in 1972 and 1976.
#1 Ronaldinho
Pundits regard Ronaldinho as the greatest dribbler ever to play the game. He had magical feet, could easily pass any world-class defender quite quickly, and hence was quite unstoppable at his best. Even his opponents widely acknowledged his performances.
In the 2005-06 season, his world-class display in Barcelona's 3-0 victory against Real Madrid in the El Clasico earned him a standing ovation from the Real Madrid faithful at the Santiago Bernabeu. Having won the Ballon d'Or in 2005, Ronaldinho helped Barcelona to win the Champions League title in that season after 14 long years.
For Brazil, Ronaldinho went on to make 97 matches and scored 33 goals for them. He also formed a formidable partnership with Rivaldo and Ronaldo to help Brazil win the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Hence, Ronaldinho is regarded as one of the best players to represent Brazil as well as Barcelona.
Notable Mentions: Bobby Charlton, Kaka, Rivaldo, Paolo Rossi
