João Cancelo Becomes First Player Ever to Win League Titles in Four Top European Leagues
João Cancelo etched his name into football history after FC Barcelona defeated Real Madrid CF 2-0 to clinch the La Liga title in dramatic fashion.
João Cancelo becomes the first footballer to win league titles in four of Europe’s top five leagues after Barcelona’s La Liga triumph.
The Portuguese defender achieved a milestone no other footballer has managed before, as Barcelona celebrated another league triumph at the Camp Nou.
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Barcelona Clinch Historic El Clasico Title Victory
Barcelona wrapped up the Spanish league crown with victory over their fiercest rivals in Sunday night’s El Clasico. The result marked a historic moment for the Catalan giants, who secured La Liga directly against Real Madrid for the first time.
Heading into the 35th match of the season, Barcelona only needed to avoid defeat, holding an 11-point advantage over Alvaro Arbeloa’s side. However, Hansi Flick’s team ensured there would be no tension by delivering another dominant display.
A spectacular Marcus Rashford free-kick — the first scored in a Clasico since Lionel Messi in 2012 — gave Barcelona the lead before Ferran Torres sealed the victory. The triumph extended Barca’s winning streak to 11 consecutive league matches and secured the club’s 29th La Liga title.
Cancelo Becomes the First to Conquer Four Major European Leagues
For Cancelo, the title carried extra significance. After missing out during his previous loan spell with Barcelona in the 2023-24 campaign, the defender finally captured the Spanish league crown.
The former Manchester City FC star returned to Barcelona on loan from Al Hilal SFC in January and has played a major role in the club’s impressive form throughout 2026. He started in the title-clinching victory and contributed one goal and three assists across 13 La Liga appearances.
Having operated on both flanks of the defence, the 31-year-old has now become the first player ever to win league titles in four of Europe’s “Top Five” leagues.
His remarkable achievement includes:
• Primeira Liga title with SL Benfica in 2014
• Serie A title with Juventus FC
• Three Premier League titles with Manchester City
• Bundesliga title during his loan spell at FC Bayern Munich
• La Liga title with Barcelona
Only Ligue 1 now remains missing from his collection.
Football Legends Fell Short of the Same Achievement
Several legendary footballers managed league triumphs in three of Europe’s top leagues, but none reached a fourth title in a different major division.
David Beckham came close after winning championships in England, Spain, and France. However, he failed to secure the Serie A title during his loan spells with AC Milan.
Cristiano Ronaldo also collected league titles in England, Spain, and Italy without adding a fourth major league success.
Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimović won league crowns in Spain, Italy, and France before joining Manchester United FC in 2016. Despite winning the Europa League, League Cup, and Community Shield, he finished sixth in his only full Premier League campaign.
Other notable names to win titles across three major countries include Thierry Henry, Kingsley Coman, Dani Alves, Arturo Vidal, Maxwell, Sami Khedira, and Claude Makélélé.
What Comes Next for Cancelo?
Although his latest loan spell from Al Hilal has been highly successful, uncertainty still surrounds Cancelo’s future beyond the summer.
Barcelona must now decide whether to pursue another loan agreement, attempt to make the move permanent, or allow the defender to return to the Middle East.
There is also the intriguing possibility of completing the full “Top Five” league collection. With league titles already secured in England, Spain, Italy, and Germany, only France’s Ligue 1 remains. A future move to a French club could offer Cancelo the chance to complete an unprecedented clean sweep of Europe’s biggest leagues.
