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There is, perhaps, no greater honour in a footballer’s career than lifting the prestigious FIFA World Cup. On the international front, there is no bigger, more historic title there is to win. While millions grow up aspiring to help their countries reach the pinnacle of the sport, only a handful of people have actually managed to do so.
However, a player’s nationality could define whether or not one can even compete at a World Cup, let alone win it. Qualifying for the quadrennial tournament is a long process which many lesser-known nations fail to achieve.
Even if they do, the level of competition is brutal as they are likely to come up against star-studded squads such as France, Portugal, and other great sides. Although an upset could be on the cards, the likelihood is quite low. Unfortunately, this directly puts great players born into lesser-established footballing nations at a great disadvantage.
Club football is a lot more forgiving in this regard. Many of football’s touching stories have to do with players who rise through the ranks against all odds to play for some of the best clubs in the world.
Players from lesser-established nations have a much higher possibility of winning club honours. They could be purchased by top teams and compete in the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, and other historic competitions.
However, there are a select few in football history to have enjoyed the best of both worlds. Superstars who have experienced international success as well as immense success at club level.
On that note, here is a look at the only six players to have won the Premier League, the Champions League, and the World Cup.
Fabien Barthez | France, Manchester United, Marseille
Former goalkeeper Fabien Barthez had an illustrious career across all fronts and enjoyed great success wherever he played. The Frenchman was the first-choice keeper during one of their greatest eras and helped them win the 1998 FIFA World Cup, conceding just two goals. He also holds the record for most clean sheets at FIFA World Cups with 10, along with Peter Shilton.
The 87-time Les Bleus international already had a UCL medal to his name prior to his World Cup heroics as he helped Olympique Marseille win it in 1992. Barthez conceded just four goals and kept seven clean sheets in his 10 games that season. He then won two Premier League titles between 2000 and 2004 with Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United to complete the set.
Juliano Belletti | Brazil, Chelsea, Barcelona
One of the more under-appreciated players during his club career, Juliano Belletti, has one each of the Premier League, Champions League, and World Cup. That being said, he's had varying levels of involvement in his sides, winning said honours. Belletti didn't have too much of a contribution to make during Chelsea and Brazil's Premier League and World Cup, respectively.
He was largely a bit-part player during the Blues' victorious 2009/10 campaign and played five minutes in Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph. It was a whole different story at Barcelona, however, as he featured ten times in their UCL campaign and scored in the final. Belletti came on as a substitute and scored the eventual winning goal — his first-ever goal for Barcelona — from a Henrik Larsson assist.
Also read: 5 Goalkeepers who could be on the move this summer
Pedro Rodriguez | Spain, Chelsea, Barcelona
Former Barcelona star Pedro was a true phenom at the peak of his powers. Pacey, prolific, and comfortable on either foot, the winger played a huge role in Pep Guardiola's incredible run from 2008 to 2012. He won a total of three UCLs at the Nou Camp, two of which were under Guardiola and one with Luis Enrique in charge in 2014/15.
The 33-year-old also made five appearances in the 2010 World Cup with Spain and assisted the winner in the quarter-finals. More importantly, he started in the final against Netherlands and went on to win the competition with La Roja.
Pedro moved to the Premier League after his successful career at Barcelona. He played a vital role in Antonio Conte's 2016/17 title win, racking up 19 goals and assists.
Gerard Pique | Spain, Manchester United, Barcelona
Another of Barcelona's key players during their run from 2008 to 2012, Gerard Pique, has a host of trophies to his name, including the three in question here. The Spaniard was one of Guardiola's core players during his time at the club, forming a majestic partnership with Carles Puyol at the back. He played a massive role in all three of the UCL titles he's won with the Blaugrana.
Pique also played every single minute of Spain's incredible 2010 World Cup triumph and was one of their most crucial players.
His only Premier League medal came in 2007/08 during his brief spell with Manchester United. The centre-back appeared nine times for Sir Alex Ferguson's men in the league that season before returning to his homeland.
Thierry Henry | France, Arsenal, Barcelona
Thierry Henry is regarded by many as the best player in Premier League history for what he's achieved in the English top-flight. In full flow, it was nearly impossible to stop the French superstar. He spearheaded Arsene Wenger's Arsenal to two league titles 2001 and 2004, including their famous invincibles season.
Before his Premier League heroics, Henry had already won the World Cup with France back in 1998 alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, and other legends.
Later on in his career, the mercurial Frenchman completed the set by helping Pep Guardiola's Barcelona win the UEFA Champions League. He scored five goals and set up a further three during their triumph in 2008/09.
N'Golo Kante | France, Chelsea/Leicester City, Chelsea
The latest addition to this list, N'Golo Kante, also happens to be the only player to have won the league with two teams. The diminutive midfielder was the heartbeat of Chelsea's midfield as he fired them to the league title in 2016/17. More recently, he put together a string of breathtaking performances in the UCL knockout rounds to help the Blues win the competition.
Kante was also the driving force behind France's near-indomitable midfield at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He helped them win their first World Cup since 1998 and was one of the Les Blues' indispensable players.
Perhaps the most impressive achievement of them all, however, is Kante's contribution to Leicester City's fairytale Premier League win in 2015/16. The 30-year-old was the chief architect of what is possibly one of the most inspiring underdog stories in football history.
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