Club World Cup: Galaxy of Stars

Who will be the player to watch at the Club World Cup in the United States? By Dylan Appolis.

LUCAS RIBEIRO COSTA (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Lucas Ribeiro Costa of Mamelodi Sundowns during the CAF Champions League 2024/25 Final 1st Leg match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, on 24 May 2025 ©Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix

Costa has been a revelation for Mamelodi Sundowns and has hit double figures in terms of goals for the club this season. The left-footed Brazilian will play a major role in helping Sundowns gain success in the Club World Cup with his excellent link-up play and his lethal eye for scoring goals. Costa will add much value to his side’s attacking presence as he forms part of a formidable Sundowns outfit, who are on the hunt to better their feat of finishing sixth in the competition in 2026.

LIONEL MESSI (Inter Miami)

epa12066307 Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi gestures during the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals game between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, 30 April 2025. EPA/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH

All eyes will be on Lionel Messi when he takes centre stage at the Club World Cup, representing Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. The Argentine is no stranger to this competition, having played in it three times with Barcelona in 2009, 2011 and 2015. Messi will be aiming to add another major trophy to his extraordinary resume following his 10-year absence from the competition. The 37-year-old will be one of the standout performers with his bamboozling ability, especially playing alongside former Barça teammates Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez.

BRADLEY BARCOLA (Paris Saint-Germain)

epa12132279 Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint Germain celebrates after scoring a goal during the Coupe de France final soccer match between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and Reims in Saint-Denis, near Paris, France, 24 May 2025. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Barcola was signed by Paris Saint-Germain from Lyon for €45 million in 2023 to replace the departing Kylian Mbappé. Someone needed to step up and fill the void left by Mbappé and Barcola easily slotted into that role and cemented his place in PSG’s starting XI. The 22-year-old brought excitement back to the club by providing goals and assists with his good dribbling skills, vision, explosive speed, and technical ability, which will all be on display when he debuts at the Club World Cup.

Estêvão Willian (Palmeiras)

epa12142282 Estevao Willian (L) of Palmeiras vies for the ball with Axel Cabellos of Sporting during a CONMEBOL Libertadores group stage soccer match between Palmeiras and Sporting Cristal in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 28 May 2025. EPA/Sebastiao Moreira

The 18-year-old has already established himself as one of the biggest young talents in world football. Willian has committed his future to Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth £56 million, but the Brazilians will be representing Palmeiras in the competition. He has already shown the world his capabilities for club and country but has now been given the opportunity to show his keen eye for goal, his amazing dribbling ability and his maturity on and off the ball.

ERLING HAALAND (Manchester City)

epa12088900 Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Southampton FC and Manchester City, in Southampton, Britain, 10 May 2025. EPA/DANIEL HAMBURY EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, ‘live’ services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Haaland has continued to demonstrate his deadly goalscoring ability during the 2024/25 season and continues to prove why he is one of the world’s best strikers. The Norwegian will be a threat for Manchester City in the competition and will put fear into defenders with his staggering figure and ruthlessness in the final third as Man City look to clinch their second trophy in this competition.

COLE PALMER (Chelsea)

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer during the UEFA Conference League final match at Tarczynski Arena Wroclaw, Poland. Picture date: Wednesday May 28, 2025.

Although Palmer has been a shadow of his former self this campaign, the Club World Cup will be the perfect stage for him to rediscover his form after winning the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season during his debut campaign at Chelsea in 2023/24. The England attacker will be expected to take the world by storm when he represents the Blues at the tournament and even though he has not had the best of seasons, Palmer’s stats prove that he will be one of the standout performers in the competition.

KYLIAN MBAPPE (Real Madrid)

epa12091953 Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe (C) celebrates scoring the 4-3 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 11 May 2025. EPA/Siu Wu

Mbappé had a slow start at Real Madrid since his move from Paris Saint-Germain, but has proved his critics wrong and rediscovered his goal scoring abilities, which he is known for, especially leaving PSG as their all-time top goal scorer. The Frenchman looks poised to be one of the standout stars participating in the competition as he looks to assert his dominance alongside his start-studded team. In his current form, the 26-year-old has already netted over 30 goals for his club and will be roaring to win the Golden Boot and the new competition to add to his already packed trophy collection, playing for the most successful team in this competition.

CASSIUS MAILULA (Wydad Casablanca)

Cassius Mailula of Wydad reacts during the 2024/25 Morocco Botola League match between Wydad and Hassania Agadir at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco on 9 February 2025 ©Nabil Ramdani/BackpagePix

Although Mohamed Rayhi has been the main man up front for Wydad, Mailula has been one of their key players this campaign since joining the club on loan from Major Soccer League outfit Toronto FC. The South African winger will be given the chance to show the world his ability to not only assist goals but to find the back of the net himself, as he did previously at Toronto and Mamelodi Sundowns.

KENAN YILDIZ (Juventus)

The teenage sensation is one of the most exciting young talents of the modern game and has proven himself worthy at Juventus, especially after inheriting the No.10 shirt made famous by Alessandro Del Piero. The Turkish international has already cemented his place in the Bianconeri squad but this competition will give him the opportunity to further his development and show his potential and quality to help Juve secure their f irst-ever Club World Cup trophy.

SALOMÓN RONDÓN (Pachuca)

epa11988685 Salomon Rondon of Venezuela celebrate a goal during a CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier soccer match between Venezuela and Peru in Monagas, Venezuela, 25 March 2025. EPA/MIGUEL GUTIERREZ

Everybody knows Salomón Rondón for his goalscoring exploits playing in the Premier League for the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United and Everton. Now in his mid-30s, he remains a powerhouse and prolific striker in front of goal at Mexican side CF Pachuca. The Venezuelan striker will be the go-to man for Pachuca going into their fifth appearance in the competition.