Winning the World Cup is the pinnacle of football, for players and managers alike. It is the ultimate achievement that defines careers, nations and generations.
As of 2022, only 471 different players have ever won the tournament.
But to lift the trophy both as a player and manager?
Only three men have ever achieved this historic feat.
1. Mario Zagallo
- As a player: 1958 & 1962
- As a manager: 1970
Mario Zagallo might not be a household name anymore, but he was the first man to achieve the remarkable double.
As a player, Zagallo was a winger who played a key part in Brazil’s golden era. He played alongside Pelé and Garrincha, helping his country win its first two World Cups in 1958 and 1962. Known for his intelligence and work rate on the left wing, he was already regarded as one of football’s sharpest minds.
Eight years after his second World Cup win, Zagallo returned as manager to guide one of the most iconic sides in history. The Brazil 1970 team featured Pelé, Jairzinho, Rivelino and Carlos Alberto, and is remembered to this day for being the perfect blend of style, flair and tactical intelligence. Brazil won all six of their games at the tournament, including a 4-1 demolition of Italy in the final.
2. Franz Beckenbauer
- As a player: 1974
- As a manager: 1990
“Der Kaiser” was elegance personified on the pitch.
He revolutionised the sweeper role, thriving in a role that saw him sniff out danger before launching – and joining – attacks.
In 1974, Beckenbauer captained West Germany to victory on home soil, defeating Johan Cruyff’s Netherlands in the final.
Sixteen years later, he repeated the triumph from the sidelines. Managing West Germany at Italia ’90, Beckenbauer led a disciplined, tactically sharp side built around Lothar Matthäus and Andreas Brehme.
Their 1–0 win over Argentina gave Beckenbauer his second World Cup and confirmed his legacy as one of the greatest leaders football has ever seen.
3. Didier Deschamps
- As a player: 1998
- As a manager: 2018
Didier Deschamps is the most recent to join this exclusive club.
During his playing days, he was a dogged defensive midfielder known for winning possession and starting attacks. He captained France to their first World Cup triumph in 1998, lifting the trophy in front of a jubilant Paris crowd after defeating Brazil 3–0 in the final.
Twenty years later, he returned as head coach to lead a new generation of French talent featuring Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann and N’Golo Kanté to victory in Russia.
His 2018 side combined flair with discipline, a reflection of Deschamps’ own style as a player.
Who Could Be Next?
Zinedine Zidane could be the next name to join this exclusive list.
The 1998 World Cup winner – known for his brilliance as a player and his success as Real Madrid manager – has long been linked with the French national team job.
Reports suggest he wants to take charge after the 2026 World Cup, when Didier Deschamps is expected to step down.
If Zidane does take the role and guides France to World Cup glory, he would become only the fourth man ever to win both as a player and manager – following in the footsteps of Zagallo, Beckenbauer and Deschamps.
