Joao Cancelo has etched his name into football history by becoming the first player ever to win league titles in four of Europe's "Top Five" divisions. The 31-year-old Portuguese defender secured the feat after Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-0 in El Clasico on Sunday night, clinching the club's 29th La Liga crown at the Camp Nou.
Cancelo's journey through Europe's elite leagues spans over a decade of consistent success. He won the Primeira Liga with Benfica in 2014, captured Serie A honours with Juventus, claimed three Premier League titles during his time at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, and lifted the Bundesliga crown during a loan spell at Bayern Munich. Now, with La Liga secured after returning to Barcelona on loan from Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in January, the full-back has completed four of the five major championships.
Historic Achievement Surpasses Football Legends
Despite their legendary careers, previous football icons fell short of this milestone. Cristiano Ronaldo won titles in England, Spain and Italy but never captured a fourth major league. David Beckham succeeded in England, Spain and France, yet failed to win Serie A across two loan stints at AC Milan. Zlatan Ibrahimovic triumphed in Spain, Italy and France, but his Premier League stint with Manchester United yielded only a sixth-place finish, though he did claim the Europa League and domestic cups.
Other elite performers to achieve three major league titles include Kingsley Coman, Dani Alves, Arturo Vidal, and Maxwell—none managed to reach four. Cancelo's return to form has been instrumental to Barcelona's resurgence, contributing one goal and three assists across 13 La Liga matches since January.
The Ligue 1 Prize Awaits
With England, Spain, Italy and Germany conquered, only France's Ligue 1 remains for Cancelo to complete the unprecedented quintet. His current Barcelona deal is temporary, leaving uncertainty about his summer plans. A potential move to a French powerhouse like Paris Saint-Germain or Monaco could provide the stage for the ultimate career crown, cementing his status as the only footballer to dominate all five elite European divisions.
