Italy have secured their second UEFA Euro title after defeating hosts, England in penalties on penalties. The victory for the Azurris meant that England lost their chance of winning a major international trophy after 55 years.
Donnarumma turned out to be a hero for the Italians as he saved 3 English penalties after the match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes of intense football. When Jorginho stepped up to take what looked to be the winning penalty and end his season in style, he experienced a minor hiccup in the fact that he missed it and that meant Donnarumma had to stop Saka’s penalty in the end.
However, all ended well for Jorginho and the Italians as they emerged victorious and were crowned champions of Europe after 53 years. Jorginho therefore has now finished the season with both European trophies at the club level as well as the International arena. In this article we take a look into the players who have achieved a similar feat as the Italian midfielder this year.
Players to have won the Champions League and Euro Cup
1964- Luis Suarez
The former Spanish midfielder, Luis Suarez became the first player ever to win the double of the Champions League and Euro Cup in 1964. At the club level, he won the Champions League or the European Cup as it was known back then with Inter Milan after making a move from FC Barcelona in 1961. He was also a part of Spain’s maiden EURO Cup in the same year playing a key role in midfield for the Spanish team.
1988- Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Berry van Aerle, Gerald Vanenburg
in 1988, the list which was started by Luis Suarez grew even further as the Dutch won the European Cup that year. Four players in Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Berry van Aerle, Gerald Vanenburg were a key part of the Dutch Euro winning squad. Incidentally all of them played for Dutch club, PSV who won their first ever European Cup that year and all four of them had a crucial part to play in both of their team’s success.
2012- Fernando Torres, Juan Mata
Once again a Spanish duo featuring Fernando Torres and Juan Mata appear in the list of players to have won the EUropean double in the same year, as both were part of the Spanish dominant team of the 2010s. Spain won successive Euro Cups in 2008 and 2012 and Torres and Juan Mata was part of the latter squad. The duo was also part of Chelsea’s historic Champions League win in 2012. Fernando Torres scored the winning goal in the 92nd minute in the Champions league semi-final to take his team through against a well drilled Barcelona side.
2016- Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe
The Portuguese and Real Madrid duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe made their way into the list, after the won the EURO Cup in 2016, the first ever win for the Portuguese side. At the club front both of them were integral part of Real Madrid’s Champions League winning side under new boss Zinedine Zidane.
2021- Jorginho
The latest and the newest entrant into the list of players who have won the Champions League and Euro Cup in the same year is Italy and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho. He was a key part of the Italian side, under Roberto Mancini and worked silently for the Azurris in their Euro Cup campaign. Under Thomas Tuchel too he excelled in the role of the defensive midfielder as Chelsea won their second Champions League trophy this season. He is also in contention of winning the Balon D’or this year although he sees stiff competition from Lionel Messi and Lewandowski among others.
Also Read: Chelsea join Eduardo Camavinga race, rival Manchester United and PSG for the midfielder’s signature
