Club season is technically not yet over since we still have the 2025 Club World Cup, which is only a few days away. This year promises to be the biggest one yet, as the tournament has been expanded to 32 teams competing for the grand prize.
The early Club World Cup 2025 odds have Europe-based clubs as some of the favorites to win it all, with a few teams from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer serving as distant challengers.
Just like in most tournaments, it’s the big-time players who will determine the winners and losers, and SBOTOP is here to list the Top 5 players to watch in the showpiece event.
Ousmane Dembele, PSG
Ousmane Dembele could strengthen his Ballon d’Or case by guiding PSG to yet another prestigious trophy. The Frenchman was named Champions League player of the season after helping the Parisiens win the title for the first time with a 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final.
When Kylian Mbappe left for Real Madrid last summer, many wondered who would take over for PSG. Dembele seized the opportunity by finishing as the team’s top scorer with 21 league goals and six assists while guiding the Parisiens to winning an unprecedented quadruple. You can make it quintuple if they win the Club World Cup.
Expect Dembele to be a regular in the Club World Cup 2025 highlights reel, alongside exciting teammates like Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid
Speaking of Kylian Mbappe, he is fresh from a productive first full season with Real Madrid, despite not winning a team trophy. The Frenchman became the first Real Madrid player since Karim Benzema in 2022 to win the Pichichi trophy after scoring 31 La Liga goals. Mbappe also won the European Golden Shoe for the first time after hitting 43 goals across all competitions.
Mbappe must do the heavy lifting since Real Madrid are still missing several injured players and have let go of some key players. With him leading the way, Los Blancos are all-in to win the Club World Cup to give Xabi Alonso his first piece of silverware with the club as manager.
Harry Kane, Bayern Munich
Harry Kane finally ended his trophy drought after helping Bayern Munich win the Meisterschale this season, and he could realistically win his second trophy here in the Club World Cup. The Englishman remains lethal in the final third, as he won the Bundesliga Golden Boot with 26 league goals and eight assists.
Bayern Munich have previously won the Club World Cup in their most recent participations in 2013 and 2020. The Bavarians have never conceded a goal during those two years and will aim to keep their pristine defensive record intact en route to winning it all again.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City
Erling Haaland will be looking to add a second Club World Cup title to his name with Manchester City. The Norwegian striker is back at 100 percent fitness after missing six weeks’ worth of action due to an ankle injury. He finished as the Sky Blues’ top scorer with 22 Premier League goals and three assists.
After failing to defend their Premier League title and losing to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final, the Club World Cup is their last chance of winning a trophy this season. Manchester City have been pretty busy in the transfer market, as they’ve been pursuing Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri, looking to register them ahead of the competition. Meanwhile, Jack Grealish is expected to be left out of the squad since he may leave the Etihad this offseason.
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
Fans in the United States would be eager to see Lionel Messi duel against some of the world’s best clubs in the Club World Cup. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is in fine form heading into the tournament with 10 goals and seven assists across 13 Major League Soccer matches, although he will turn 38 soon. Tadeo Allende, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Telasco Segovia will also look to produce for the Herons.
Messi’s return to the Argentina national team this international break is a good indication he’s 100 percent fit. He may have lost a step or two, but his quality is undeniable and entertaining to watch. Winning the Club World Cup would be a major milestone for Inter Miami and the United States, which will co-host the World Cup 2026 alongside Mexico and Canada.
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