In an achievement reserved for the elite football stars, many players have succeeded in combining winning the World Cup, the most prestigious title with national teams, and the UEFA Champions League, the biggest club competition, during the 21st century, creating a remarkable blend of continental and global glory.

Winning the UEFA Champions League is the ultimate dream for any football player, as it is the most valuable club title worldwide, while winning the World Cup remains the pinnacle of glory at the national team level.

Combining both titles is an exceptional achievement attained by a limited number of legends who have etched their names in golden letters in the history of the game.

German star Toni Kroos tops the list, according to the global “Transfermarkt” network, as the player with the most UEFA Champions League titles among World Cup winners, having won the trophy six times—five with Real Madrid and once with Bayern Munich—alongside his World Cup victory with Germany in 2014, making him the prime example of a player who combined European and global glory.

The list also features Argentine legend Lionel Messi, who fulfilled his greatest dream by winning the World Cup with his country in 2022 in Qatar, adding this title to his rich tally of four Champions League trophies with Barcelona, completing his historic career with the greatest possible achievement.

The list prominently includes stars from the Spanish golden generation who led Spain to win the 2010 World Cup, including names like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Piqué, Victor Valdes, and Sergio Ramos, all of whom combined global glory with four Champions League titles with Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Also present are Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Pedro Rodriguez, and Iker Casillas, who won three European titles alongside the World Cup.

French defender Raphael Varane is also on the list, having succeeded in combining the 2018 World Cup win with France and four UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid, confirming his status as one of the top defenders of his generation.

Notably, no national team has won the World Cup more than once since the start of the 21st century, meaning no player has achieved the title twice during this period.

Nevertheless, several stars have carved their names in the history of the game by combining the two greatest achievements in modern football.