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More often, we determine the triumph of a player by the number of major awards and trophies he has won during his career. There are eight players in the history of football who have won all the three trophies.
Having won a combined ten Ballon d'Or awards, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi rules the 21st century. But not even they are among the eight maestros who have achieved this spectacular triple crown. Both of them could enter this elite group if they are to win in Russia 2018, as they already won the other two.
The 20th-century players include England legend Bobby Charlton, Italian genius Paolo Rossi, German icons Gerd Muller and Franz Beckenbauer. Here we map out four 21st century footballers who have won the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League and Ballon d'Or:
#4 Zinedine Zidane
The perfect combination of balance, skill, prodigious creativity and incredible vision, Zinedine Zidane is undoubtedly regarded as the greatest midfielders of all time.
Zidane helped France to win the 1998 World Cup by scoring twice in their win over Brazil in the final. This triumph won him Ballon d'Or in the same year.
He later moved from Juventus to Real Madrid, where he was an incredible part of the Galacticos, fastening his fame as a midfield maestro. He completed the triple by winning 2002 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid where he scored a celebrated match-winning goal, in Madrid's 2–1 win.
The goal has been regarded as one of the greatest goals in the Champions Leagues history, thus making him first player in the twenty-first century to win all the three.
#3 Rivaldo
No winger in the world scored more beautiful goals than Rivaldo. He was one of the most skilful and creative players of his generation. Rivaldo was acclaimed for his bending free kicks, lethal left foot and ability to create chances.
After an impressive year with Brazil National team and Barcelona, Rivaldo won the 1999 Ballon d'Or edging England International David Beckham and Argentine Gabriel Batistuta.
He was a part of the 2002 World Cup winning Brazil team. Rivaldo won the 2003 Champions League with AC Milan which gave him entry to the elite group.
#2 Ronaldinho
If greatness was measured in joy and skill, perhaps Ronaldo de Assis Moreira or simply Ronaldinho would top the others, even if it's a pass or a goal, his ability to expand the ground in the pressure situation makes him outrageous.
The Brazilian with two goals and two assists played an important role in Brazil's 2002 World Cup glory. He won the Ballon d'Or by beating Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in 2005.
His impressive stint at Barcelona won him the UEFA Champions League 2006, thereby entering an elite group in style.
#1 Kaka
Before the hype of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there was Ricardo Kaka; a true modern genius of the game.
He is the last player to have won the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League and Ballon d'Or.
He was a part of the Brazilian national team who lifted the World Cup in 2002. Later in his magical spell with Milan, he won the Champions League netting 10 times, which fetched him Ballon d'Or and the golden boot in the 2007 UEFA Champions League.
