Rodri has completed football by winning the World Cup, Ballon d'Or, Champions League, and European Championship. This rare feat places him among an elite group of players who have captured every major team and individual honor in the sport. The Spanish midfielder added the 2022 World Cup trophy to his collection, following his triumphs at the European Championship, Champions League, and the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.
Who Else Has Completed Football?
Only a handful of legends have managed this grand slam. Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller were the first, achieving it on July 7, 1974, when West Germany won the World Cup. Both had previously won the European Cup (later Champions League) with Bayern Munich, the European Championship, and the Ballon d'Or (Müller in 1970, Beckenbauer in 1972).
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Zinedine Zidane joined the club in 2002 after Real Madrid's Champions League victory, adding to his 1998 World Cup, Ballon d'Or, and 2000 European Championship. Rivaldo followed in 2003, though he was an unused substitute in the Champions League final. Ronaldinho's 2006 Champions League win with Barcelona completed his set, despite being an unused sub in the 1999 Copa América final. Lionel Messi, unsurprisingly, also holds all four honors, with his first Champions League in 2006 and a full role in 2009.
How Rodri's Achievement Compares
| Player | World Cup | European Championship / Copa América | Champions League | Ballon d'Or |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franz Beckenbauer | 1974 | 1972 | 1974 | 1972 |
| Gerd Müller | 1974 | 1972 | 1974 | 1970 |
| Zinedine Zidane | 1998 | 2000 | 2002 | 1998 |
| Rivaldo | 2002 | 1999 | 2003 | 1999 |
| Ronaldinho | 2002 | 1999 | 2006 | 2005 |
| Lionel Messi | 2022 | 2021 | 2009 | 2009 |
| Rodri | 2022 | 2020 | 2023 | 2023 |
Rodri's timeline is remarkable: he won the European Championship in 2020, the Ballon d'Or in 2023, the Champions League also in 2023, and the World Cup in 2022. He is the first player to achieve this specific sequence within a three-year span.
Key Takeaways
- Rodri is one of only seven players to have won the World Cup, European Championship (or Copa América), Champions League, and Ballon d'Or.
- This achievement is often called "completing football" and represents the pinnacle of individual and team success.
- Rodri's journey highlights the dominance of Spanish football and his pivotal role as a defensive midfielder.
FAQ
What trophies does Rodri need to complete football?
Has any other player completed football before Rodri?
Did Rodri win the Ballon d'Or in the same year as the Champions League?
Rodri's accomplishment cements his legacy as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. With a combination of tactical intelligence, physicality, and technical skill, he has become the complete footballer. Fans and analysts alike now debate where he ranks among the all-time greats.
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