The best players to watch at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup - from Messi to Mbappe via several hidden gems

Bringing together some of the globe's greatest teams, FIFA's new-look Club World Cup will determine football's ultimate champions over the upcoming weeks. 

Most consider the pinnacle of the club game to be Europe's UEFA Champions League, while international competitions perhaps hold the most pride and prestige, but 32 sides will now do battle for a trophy of similar significance.

Of course, the beautiful game is a team sport, but individual stars are always keen to shine on such a stage - and many will take part in this year's edition, to be held in the United States.

Several greats have graced this tournament and its predecessors down the years, and the depth of talent on show this summer should make for an absorbing spectacle.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up, group by group, the players that could impress most in the USA.

GROUP A

Owned by David Beckham and featuring a whole host of big names, Inter Miami surely bring the most stardust to this group, and none of their players stands taller than diminutive genius Lionel Messi. 

Even as the Argentinian's career begins to wind down, he remains a magnetic presence on the pitch, freely racking up goals and assists in both MLS and CONCACAF competitions.

Now, the eight-time Ballon D'Or winner can make his mark on the first 32-team Club World Cup - but even helping Inter escape Group A could prove a tall task.

Perhaps Palmeiras are favourites to finish first, having won two continental titles and a pair of domestic league crowns over the past five years, latterly helped by rising star Estevao.

The teenage winger is left-footed but plays on the right, and his combination of pace and balance has earned comparisons to previous Brazilian stars such as Messi's old friend Neymar. He will move to Chelsea after the tournament.

While Porto come into the competition following a domestic downturn, Spanish striker Samu Aghehowa has proved himself ready to compete at the highest level, having scored 25 goals last season.

The towering 21-year-old is both mobile and physically imposing, with his strength and aerial ability sure to cause problems for opposition defences; he should link up with 18-year-old talent Rodrigo Mora.

GROUP B

New European champions Paris Saint-Germain have a plethora of top-class players to choose from, having left no expense spared in signing some of the world's best young stars.

Of them all, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia surely had the most remarkable 2024-25 campaign, as he played a key part in claiming two league titles - for PSG and former club Napoli.

The Georgian wing wizard can play all across a flexible front line, with his blend of trickery and raw pace making him a constant menace to opponents that leave any space in behind.

It is fair to say that Julian Alvarez has enjoyed even more success than 'Kvaradona' in his short career, lifting the World Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup in recent years.

Though the Argentine striker came out of last season empty-handed, as his Atletico Madrid side fell away sharply after a promising start, he also settled into life in La Liga with serene ease, finding the net 29 times across all competitions.

Another continental club champion, Botafogo's Igor Jesus is similarly capable of putting back lines under stress, and the 24-year-old's stellar Copa Libertadores performances earned him his first Brazil caps last year.

Picked up on a free transfer from the UAE Pro League, the dynamic striker should soon turn a big profit for the Rio club, as there is strong interest in his signature from Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

GROUP C

Left out of Germany's squad for the recent UEFA Nations League finals, German maverick Jamal Musiala has recovered from injury in time to join his Bayern Munich teammates in the USA.

Joint-winner of the Golden Boot at last summer's Euro 2024 tournament, the attacking midfielder can both make and take chances, holding the key to Bayern's hopes of winning a third Club World Cup.

Musiala's vision, close control and dribbling skills are reminiscent of a young Angel Di Maria, and the latter - now 37 years old - will also take part in Group C.

Back at Benfica at the tail end of an illustrious career, Di Maria continues to light up games with his artistry and flair. This is his final fling before heading home to Argentina, where he will rejoin boyhood club Rosario Central.

Another South American veteran and erstwhile PSG star, Edinson Cavani is still going strong at the age of 38, having ended a lengthy stay in Europe.

Fulfilling his long-held dream of joining Boca Juniors, the rangy Uruguayan striker moved to Buenos Aires in 2023 and has continued to trouble defences ever since.

GROUP D

Renowned for his effortlessly graceful style and ice-cold composure, Cole Palmer has taken centre stage several times for a young Chelsea side who will be among the favourites to prevail this summer. 

Despite a dip in form that plagued the England playmaker through the second half of last season, he rose to the occasion in the recent UEFA Conference League final, less than one year on from scoring in the Euro 2024 decider.

At the other end of the age spectrum, ex-Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is set to meet up with his former club, after the experienced striker set up the winner for Denis Bouanga in a qualifying playoff for this Club World Cup.

When Mexican side Leon were expelled due to an ownership issue, LAFC met Club America for the right to take their place, and the 38-year-old Frenchman played a key role in the MLS team's success.

With a glittering CV, Giroud's credentials cannot be questioned, but two Flamengo stars may feel they still have something to prove.

Brazil forward Pedro made no impact during a brief spell with Fiorentina, while Uruguayan playmaker Giorgian De Arrascaeta has never tried his luck in Europe; both are intent on getting Brazil's biggest club through to the latter stages.

GROUP E

Due to only turning 18 early next month, one of South America's rising stars can stay with Buenos Aires giants River Plate for a few more weeks until joining mighty Real Madrid.

Franco Mastantuono has earned rave reviews for his performances since first appearing on the senior scene, and he has already been snapped up by Los Blancos, with his stay in the Spanish capital set to start after this tournament.

A creative left-footed midfielder whose heroes include Julian Alvarez and Neymar, he seems ready and able to make an impact on the global stage.

While Mastantuono's Madrid career has yet to begin, one of Real's most decorated players will also appear in Group E, towards the very end of an incredible 21-year career.

Sergio Ramos may have missed the last four matches of Mexico's 2025 Clausura through injury, but Monterrey's star man now has his sights set on causing a few upsets at the Club World Cup.

Sent off 30 times in his career, the former Spain defender will surely pay Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez close attention, as 'El Toro' aims to help his team bounce back from their 5-0 mauling in the Champions League final.

Yet to claim Europe's top prize with Inter, Martinez has previously top-scored in both Serie A and the Copa America; on his day, the streaky striker can frighten any defence.

GROUP F

In an intriguing group, raw star power is a little thin on the ground, but Borussia Dortmund's main marksman has proven to be one of the most prolific strikers in Europe over the past two years.

Guinea international Serhou Guirassy joined Raphinha atop the 2024-25 Champions League scoring charts, having previously excelled for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

Since joining BVB, he has proven his all-round worth by racking up 43 goal involvements from just 45 matches, which may worry Fluminense's 40-year-old captain Thiago Silva.

During his long stay in Europe, the latter put on countless masterclasses in rock-solid defending, exemplifying class and composure at AC Milan, PSG and Chelsea.

His Flu side may have been going through turbulent times, but they can also turn to the vast experience of 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio and ex-Brazil playmaker Ganso, relatively a spring chicken at the age of 35.

Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns will turn to Brazil for inspiration too: right-winger Lucas Ribeiro was the South African Premier League’s leading scorer last term with 16 goals. 

He links up with Chilean playmaker Marcelo Allende, who once spent time on trial at Arsenal having captained his nation and top-scored at the 2015 Under-17s World Cup. 

GROUP G

Undoubtedly, Juventus are enduring a sustained downturn in fortunes, but one of the few bright sparks in a largely dismal 2024-25 campaign was Turkish forward Kenan Yildiz.

Born and raised in Germany, the 20-year-old moved to Turin in 2022 and has since inherited Juve's prestigious number 10 shirt. Not always trusted by former coach Thiago Motta last season, he began to shine again after a change of management and finished up with 16 goal involvements.

Fearless, direct and possessing a fearsome finish, Yildiz has at least three attributes in common with Manchester City new boy Tijjani Reijnders, who also stood out in a below-par Serie A side last term.

Milan may have struggled, but the Dutch midfielder always posed a threat from midfield, and his superb link-up skills should dovetail nicely with City teammates such as Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden.

Cited by some as a replacement for Napoli-bound club legend Kevin De Bruyne, 26-year-old Reijnders will try to make his own mark, starting this summer.

Asian champions in 2024, Al-Ain have since struggled to repeat that success and are often found wanting at the back, so Moroccan striker Soufiane Rahimi may be required to fire them out of trouble.

Top scorer in last season's AFC Champions League - and at the Paris Olympics - he is a man for the big occasion and will revel in the chance to tackle two European heavyweights plus fellow countrymen Wydad.

GROUP H

Having watched on from afar as his former club lifted the Champions League trophy, Kylian Mbappe will surely be stung into a response by the collective nature of PSG's recent triumph.

The France captain started last season slowly after fulfilling his boyhood dreams by moving to Real Madrid, but he has been back in something approaching his best shape in recent weeks.

Finishing up with 43 goals from 56 matches, Mbappe is now intent on helping Real to a record-extending sixth Club World Cup title, fronting an attacking unit that also features Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.

One of three Group H contenders hoping to break Madrid's stride, Pachuca met Los Blancos in last year's Intercontinental Cup final, losing 3-0.

Alongside Venezuelan veteran Salomon Rondon, the Mexican side look towards Oussama Idrissi in the final third; a nimble winger with an eye for goal, the latter recorded six assists in seven games en route to glory in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Finally, cash-rich Al-Hilal have an array of proven performers in their squad and aim to go far under new boss Simone Inzaghi.

Serbian stars Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic - the latter his country's all-time top scorer - are integral to the Saudi side's attack. Mitrovic scored 40 goals in just 43 games during his first season, before firing in 28 from 36 this term, so has clearly lost none of his predatory instincts.

Written by
Jonathan O'Shea