Football Stars to Eye at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is ready to roll when Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami squares off against Egypt's Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. This month-long club tournament will showcase top-notch talent from the best leagues worldwide.
Can't-Miss Players
Here's a look at our top 10 players who are set to dominate the competition:
🌟 Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
With eight Ballon d'Or wins and a reputation as the greatest footballer of all time, Messi is expected to steal the show at the Club World Cup. The 37-year-old forward, captain of Inter Miami, will be aiming to bring the MLS side their first-ever tournament title on home soil. In his debut season with Inter Miami, Messi scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists, leading them to the MLS Supporters' Shield triumph in 2024.
🌟 Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
Mbappé, a France forward, joined Real Madrid in 2024 and had an outstanding debut season, finishing as La Liga's top scorer with 31 goals. He also broke records by becoming Real Madrid's top goal scorer in a debut campaign, surpassing Ivan Zamorano and Cristiano Ronaldo. Mbappé, now 26, will be on a mission to win the Club World Cup, further cementing his place in the pantheon of greats.
🌟 Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
The lightning-quick Brazilian striker has emerged as another threat for the reigning Champions League titleholders, Real Madrid. In the 2024-25 season, he scored 21 goals and provided 15 assists in all competitions, finishing second in the league. Vinicius, who signed with Real Madrid at age 17, is one of the most exciting talents in the world of football.
🌟 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Kane, the captain of England, had the best phase of his career during the 2024-25 season, helping Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga title. He also made Bundesliga history by becoming the first player to finish as the top scorer in both his first two seasons, with 26 goals in their championship campaign. Kane, 31, will be crucial for Bayern's chances of winning their third Club World Cup title.
🌟 Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland found the net 31 times in 44 appearances for Manchester City in 2024-25. Despite the club finishing third in the Premier League, Haaland was disappointed by their title drought. The Norwegian striker is eager to win the Club World Cup for the first time, having missed their 2023 triumph due to injury.
🌟 Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)
Dembélé was a key player for PSG during their 2024-25 Ligue 1 title triumph, finishing as the top scorer for the first time. With eight goals in the Champions League, Dembélé also excelled in Europe, playing a vital role in their run to winning the continent's premier club competition.
🌟 Estevao (Palmeiras)
A rising star of Brazilian football, Estevao was Palmeiras's top performer in 2024, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists as the team finished second in the Brazilian Serie A. The 18-year-old left-footed winger has agreed to join Chelsea for the 2025-26 season, with a reported transfer fee of $75m. Estevao will represent Palmeiras one last time at the Club World Cup before joining the London-based club.
🌟 Salomon Rondon (Pachuca)
At 35 years old, Rondon is still a valuable player for Mexican club Pachuca. In Liga MX Clasura 2024-25, he finished as the team's top scorer with 10 goals and three assists. Rondon, Venezuela's all-time leading scorer, was a crucial player in Pachuca's run to the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final,which they lost to Real Madrid.
🌟 Miguel Borja (River Plate)
Colombia's Borja is a reliable forward for River Plate, having scored 11 goals during Liga Profesional 2024 in Argentina. He also helped River Plate win the Argentinian Primera Division in 2023. At the Club World Cup, South American giants River Plate will depend heavily on Borja to score goals as they make their tournament debut.
🌟 Jhon Arias (Fluminense)
The 27-year-old Colombian might play as a winger,but he can also excel as an attacking or central midfielder. In 2024, Arias scored 14 goals in 51 matches for Brazilian Serie A club Fluminense, helping them finish 13th in the 20-team league. Arias was a key figure in Fluminense's 2023 Copa Libertadores title victory and their run to the FIFA Club World Cup final.
This star-studded lineup is sure to make the Club World Cup 2025 an unforgettable tournament. Get ready for an exciting month of world-class football!
In the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025, the politics of team strategy might play a significant role, as top teams from various continents, including Real Madrid with Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr, Bayern Munich with Harry Kane, Manchester City with Erling Haaland, and Inter Miami with Lionel Messi, compete for glory on the field. Meanwhile, the sports of football and politics seem to intertwine, as ongoing conflicts between Major League Soccer clubs and international federations could potentially impact the tournament outcomes, adding another layer of unpredictability to this year's competition.
