"Ricken at the World Cup: "We're unmatched by anyone else"
Borussia Dortmund's performance in the 2025 Club World Cup showcased their competitive spirit on the global stage, advancing through the early rounds undefeated and securing impressive victories against CF Monterrey and Fluminense. However, their quest for international dominance took a step back when they were edged out by Real Madrid in a dramatic quarter-final match, losing 3-2 [1][2][3].
The German side displayed resilience, earning a late penalty and fighting valiantly against the world-class opposition. Despite the defeat, the tournament served as a validation of Dortmund's status as one of Germany's elite clubs, albeit not quite surpassing the recent achievements of Bayern Munich [4].
Bayern Munich, another German powerhouse, failed to progress further in a competition this year, losing to Paris Saint-Germain. While Dortmund's Club World Cup performance maintained Germany's strong presence on the international stage, it did not surpass Bayern's international pedigree over the past couple of years [5].
Following their Club World Cup run, Dortmund distributed approximately €3 million in bonuses to their players, and received approximately $53 million in prize money from FIFA. Lars Ricken, the business manager of Borussia Dortmund, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance and believed that the tournament, held in the United States, had brought the team closer together [6][7].
Despite the defeat, Ricken acknowledged Real Madrid's effectiveness in the crucial moments of the game and congratulated them on their progression. He also mentioned that the team would have a few weeks of vacation after returning to Germany before starting preparations for the new season [8].
One key moment in the game against Real Madrid came when Marcel Sabitzer had a chance to equalise at 3-3, but the opportunity was not capitalised. This near miss underscores Dortmund's growing competitiveness internationally but also highlights room for improvement before they can overtake Germany's historically dominant club sides [9].
In conclusion, Borussia Dortmund's 2025 Club World Cup performance has affirmed their status as one of Germany's top clubs on the global stage, but has not significantly altered their international standing relative to Bayern Munich and other German teams over the past two years. Their fight against Real Madrid underscores their growing competitiveness internationally but also points to room for growth before they can claim the top spot [1][3].
Borussia Dortmund's loss to Real Madrid in the Club World Cup quarter-final indicates a setback in their quest for international dominance, especially compared to Bayern Munich's recent achievements in European leagues. However, the Champions League remains a prime objective for the German side, showcasing their growing competitiveness on the global sports stage.
