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All 43 revealed
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Winning the Champions League is widely considered as the most coveted prize in club football. Conquering Europe, which boasts the majority of the world's most fearsome teams, is no mean feat, and an achievement that alludes many of the game's greatest players. But when it comes to International football, it's winning the World Cup that is the greatest reward. It only comes around every four years, and many young footballing-hopefuls grow up dreaming of lifting the famous trophy for their country.
To win both is surely just greed. But there are a select few stars who have managed to get their hands on the pair. In the 21st century, just 43 players can lay claim to being both Champions League winners and a World Cup champion. So who makes the list? The entire catalogue can be scrolled through below, with some legendary names featuring.
Every player to win the Champions League & World Cup this century
No nation has managed to win more than one World Cup since the turn of the century, so therefore no player has won more than one since 2000. There are players however that have won the World Cup and won multiple Champions Leagues. Leading the way in that respect is Toni Kroos, who became a world champion with Germany in 2014, and has won as many as six Champions Leagues - five with Real Madrid and one with Bayern Munich. Seven stars have then won the World Cup and four Champions Leagues this century. The great Lionel Messi finally won the World Cup with his native Argentina in 2022, after winning four Champions Leagues with Barcelona.
His former Barca teammates: Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Víctor Valdés, and Gerard Piqué also lifted four Champions League trophies, as well as winning the 2010 World Cup with Spain. Former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos won four Champions Leagues with Los Blancos and was part of the 2010 World Cup-winning Spain squad, whilst Raphaël Varane won the World Cup with France in 2018 and won four Champions Leagues with Real Madrid. The Spanish quarter of Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Pedro, and Iker Casillas each won three Champions Leagues and a World Cup. The legends don't end there. Nine players have managed to lift two Champions Leagues and a World Cup since 2000.
Player Comparison Defensive Midfield Position Central Midfield Full Player Comparison
Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi each became world champions with Italy in 2006 and won the Champions League with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007. Former goalkeeper Dida was also part of both of those Milan squads and won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002. Roberto Carlos was also a world champion in 2002 with the Samba boys and won two Champions Leagues with Real Madrid. Manuel Neuer, Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa each also have two Champions League trophies and one World Cup to their name. A further 22 players have won one Champions League and one World Cup this century.
