The first-ever expanded Club World Cup hosted in the United States boasts a staggering one billion dollars in prize money; however, it will be without some of football’s most distinguished talents.
AFP Sport emphasises five players who won’t be dazzling fans in stadiums across America when the tournament kicks off this weekend:
Despite Liverpool finishing as English champions, they, along with Spain’s Barcelona and Italy’s Napoli, will not be competing in the Club World Cup due to the intricate qualification procedures.
This means that Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, who set a Premier League record with 29 goals and 18 assists, will be absent.
After a long season that saw him diminish in performance during the final months, Salah may not mind an extended break this summer. He even shared a sun-soaked photo of himself relaxing at the beach on Instagram.
It’s a disappointment that African football great Salah, along with captain Virgil van Dijk and others, won’t have the chance for a potential rematch against their Champions League adversaries Paris Saint-Germain.
Another player missing from the event is Liverpool transfer target Florian Wirtz, as his team Bayer Leverkusen did not qualify.
This season, no player has generated more buzz in world football than Barcelona’s remarkable 17-year-old talent, Lamine Yamal.
The Spanish winger has been outstanding for his club this season and is considered a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or.
Yamal’s electrifying dribbling skills and eye for the spectacular have made him one of the most exciting players to watch on the global stage.
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He’s frequently likened to former Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, but due to the Spanish champions’ absence, he may have missed his only opportunity to face the Argentine superstar, who will be representing Inter Miami.
Among the notable omissions are Barcelona’s Raphinha, midfield maestro Pedri, and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.
Prolific forward Lionel Messi will also miss a chance to go head-to-head against his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the US.
The 40-year-old Portuguese striker was reported to be exploring ways to participate in the tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino hinted that Ronaldo might switch from Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr to a team qualified for the event, mentioning that “discussions” were ongoing.
However, after recently winning the Nations League with Portugal, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner indicated he intends to remain at Al Nassr.
“Several teams reached out to me,” revealed the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star last Saturday before the Nations League final.
“Some made sense, while others did not, but you can’t do everything. You can’t catch every ball.”
Champions League semi-finalists Arsenal will also be absent, and following a trophy-less season, the Club World Cup would have been an ideal opportunity for silverware.
England international Bukayo Saka’s only club trophy, aside from the FA Community Shield, came when he helped Arsenal lift the FA Cup in 2020.
Mikel Arteta’s side demonstrated significant progress this season, being in contention for major titles while even eliminating Real Madrid in the Champions League, but ultimately fell short.
For a player of his calibre, who has consistently played at the top level for six seasons, Saka could benefit from adding more medals to his collection.
Arsenal will undoubtedly be disappointed not to seize the prize money as they aim to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City, who have dominated English football in recent years.
Brazilian star Neymar has suffered injuries while at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia and returned to Santos in January 2025, aiming to regain form ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
At 33, he remains one of football’s biggest names despite declining with age, and his absence is also a setback from a commercial perspective.
“Neymar? What can I say? He’s an exceptional player who, for me, is one of the top three in my footballing journey, alongside Cristiano and Messi,” stated Brazil midfielder Casemiro.
With organisers struggling to sell tickets, Neymar’s participation would have been a significant advantage.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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