In football, some trophies define a career, while others elevate a player into an entirely different realm of greatness.

The Ballon d'Or, the Champions League, and the World Cup stand as the sport’s most prestigious honours. Only a select few have managed to capture all three.

To date, just ten footballers have completed this rare trifecta. Rodri could soon become the eleventh.

The Spanish midfielder is now just one victory away from adding the World Cup to a glittering collection that already boasts both the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or.

The 30-year-old played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic 2023 Champions League triumph, scoring the decisive goal in their 1-0 victory over Inter — a moment that sealed the club’s first-ever European crown.

A year later, Rodri’s exceptional performances were recognised individually when he lifted the Ballon d'Or. In doing so, he became only the second Spanish player to claim the award, following in the footsteps of Luis Suárez Miramontes, who won it in 1960.

Now, Spain face Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final, and victory would see Rodri join one of football’s most exclusive circles. If La Roja are to prevail, it is almost certain that Rodri will be central to their success — orchestrating play from midfield under Luis de la Fuente, dictating tempo, and maintaining balance on both ends of the pitch.

Throughout this tournament, Rodri has been outstanding. After enduring months of injury struggles, he has rediscovered his top form. His tactical awareness, composure under pressure, and control over the flow of play have reaffirmed his status as one of Spain’s indispensable players.

At this stage, few would dispute Rodri’s position among the standout midfielders of his generation. In terms of the deep-lying midfield role, he has already earned a place among the finest the game has seen.

Only ten players in football history have lifted the Ballon d'Or, the Champions League, and the World Cup — an elite list featuring some of the sport’s greatest icons.

The most recent member of that group is Lionel Messi. The Argentine legend has eight Ballon d'Ors and four Champions League titles with Barcelona, and he completed the set by leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, where he was named the tournament’s best player.

Zinédine Zidane is another illustrious member. The Frenchman claimed both the Ballon d'Or and the World Cup in 1998, when France triumphed on home soil, before producing one of the Champions League’s most memorable moments — a stunning volley for Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 final.

Ousmane Dembélé joins Zidane as the other French representative. A World Cup winner in 2018, he secured his first Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain in 2025 and later added the Ballon d'Or to his achievements.

Ronaldinho captured the World Cup in 2002 before conquering Europe with Barcelona in 2006. Between those milestones came the Ballon d'Or — a fitting honour for one of football’s most joyous entertainers.

Kaká followed in 2007. A member of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad, he inspired AC Milan to Champions League glory and lifted the Ballon d'Or that same year, becoming the last player to break the Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo dominance.

Rivaldo completes Brazil’s trio of legends. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1999, the World Cup in 2002, and the Champions League with AC Milan in 2003.

England’s representative, Bobby Charlton, achieved his treble by winning the Ballon d'Or and World Cup in 1966 before helping Manchester United capture the European Cup in 1968, etching his name among English football’s all-time greats.

Franz Beckenbauer also features prominently on the list. Widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders ever, the German won two Ballon d'Ors, three consecutive European Cups with Bayern Munich, and captained West Germany to World Cup victory in 1974.

His compatriot Gerd Müller matched nearly all of those accomplishments. Renowned as one of the most prolific goal scorers in history, Müller claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1970 and netted the winning goal in the 1974 World Cup final after guiding Bayern to European dominance.

The final name on the list is Italy’s Paolo Rossi, who became a national hero during the 1982 World Cup. He won both the tournament and the Ballon d'Or that year before completing his collection with a European Cup triumph at Juventus in 1985.

Rodri has already captured nearly every major honour available. Should Spain overcome Argentina on Sunday, he will join one of football’s most elite groups — a fraternity of champions who have conquered every summit the sport has to offer.

Only ten players have accomplished this rare feat. Rodri now stands just 90 minutes away from becoming the next.