Messi & co equal Eto’o’s unique treble record

Until Saturday, African star Samuel Eto’o was the only football player to win two trebles, but now six FC Barcelona stars including, Lionel Messi, equalled that record.

Messi, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves all joined Eto’o in winning two trebles.

Eto’o was part of Guardiola’s side, which won the first treble in Barcelona’s history, and won it the following season with Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.

However, the Cameroon striker remains the only player in football to win back-to-back trebles.

Pique, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi also joined a select group of only eight other players to have won four or more European Cups.

Only Clarence Seedorf had done so previously in the Champions League era, after winning the title with Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan (twice).

Hector Rial and Marquitos (both Real Madrid), as well as Phil Neal (Liverpool) also have four European Cups to their name.

Zarraga and Alfredo Di Stefano (with Real Madrid) as well as Paolo Maldini (Milan) won it five times, while Los Blancos legend Gento is the only player to win the European Cup six times.