The Elite Club: Achieving the Champions League and EURO Double in Football History

Dani Carvajal and Nacho have joined a select group of players who have accomplished the impressive feat of winning both the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Champions League in the same summer.

The Real Madrid duo, who secured the Champions League title in June, added the Henri Delaunay Cup to their collection following Spain’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over England in the EURO 2024 final in Berlin. Their achievement also denied their Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham from joining the same exclusive club.

Carvajal and Nacho now stand alongside just eleven other players who have achieved this dual triumph. With Jorginho being the most recent addition after his success with Chelsea and Italy in 2021.

To qualify as ‘double winners,’ players must have participated in both victorious finals. For instance, Joselu, a member of the Madrid squad that triumphed over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, was an unused substitute during Spain’s victory over England.

Here is the distinguished list of European Cup-EURO double winners:

• 1964: Luis Suárez (Inter Milan & Spain)
• 1988: Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Berry van Aerle, Gerald Vanenburg (PSV Eindhoven & Netherlands)
• 2012: Fernando Torres, Juan Mata (Chelsea & Spain)
• 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal)
• 2020: Jorginho (Chelsea & Italy)
• 2024: Dani Carvajal, Nacho (Real Madrid & Spain)

Notably, Wim Kieft narrowly missed inclusion despite winning the 1988 European Cup with PSV. As he did not play in the 1988 UEFA European Championship final for the Netherlands.

Other notable mentions include Nicolas Anelka and Christian Karembeu, who, despite their club successes, did not feature prominently in their national team’s triumphs.

The article also touches on the even rarer accomplishment of winning both European Cup and World Cup in same year. A feat achieved by iconic footballers such as Franz Beckenbauer and Raphaël Varane.

This elite group underscores the immense skill and dedication required to excel at both club and international levels in the world of football.