With one billion dollars of prize money at stake but featuring the absence of some of the stellar names in the game, as the first expanded Club World Cup in the United States gets underway under the auspices of FIFA. In America this year FIFA Club World Cup is a key event in the global football. Play-in to determine the final team to participate in the group stage May 31 The first play-in match was played on May 31, between LAFC and Club América. Five players that will not be shining stadiums around the United States when it kicks off this weekend are listed here:
Here Is A List Of Five Most Famous Players Who Will Miss FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo
The 40-year old Portuguese striker was said to be seeking a means to feature in the tournament. The idea had been raised by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who said Ronaldo could leave Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr to a club who had qualified to the event, with talks being done regarding the matter. Ronaldo, who won the Nations League with Portugal last weekend, being the five-time Ballon doro winner, showed after the game however he would remain at Al Nassr.
“Some teams reached out to me,” The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star disclosed this last Saturday, just ahead of the Nations League final.
“Some made sense and others did not, but you can’t try and do everything. You can’t catch every ball.”
Neymar
Neymar, the Brazilian star, had injury woes in Saudi Arabia at Al-Hilal and came back to Santos in January of 2025 with the aim of getting fit and firing ahead of the world cup next summer. Even though he has faded with age, the 33-year-old forward remains one of the biggest names in the game and his absence is a commercial loss as well.
“Neymar, what can I say about him? He’s an outstanding player, who, for me, in my football cycle, is in the top three, with Cristiano and Messi,” said Brazil midfielder Casemiro.
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Mohamed Salah
Egyptian winger, Salah who set a new Premier League record of goal involvements, 29 goals and 18 assists is absent. Following a taxing campaign where he dwindled during the last few months Salah may not mind having the summer off. The winger shared a picture on Instagram of him sun bathing along the beach. It will however be a pity that African football star Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and others will not have the opportunity of a possible rematch with their Champions League conquerors PSG. Liverpool transfer target Florian Wirtz will miss out too as his team Bayer Leverkusen failed to qualify.
Lamine Yamal
The winger of Spain has scored 53 goals in all competitions this season and is among the contenders to lift the Ballon dOr. The exciting dribbling and affection to the spectacular make Yamal one of the greatest attractions in the world football nowadays. He is likened to the erstwhile Barcelona star, Lionel Messi, but due to the absence of the Spanish giants, might have lost his only opportunity to play against the Argentina captain, who will be representing Inter Miami. Raphinha of Barcelona, pedigreed midfield creator Pedri and aging forward Robert Lewandowski are others.
Bukayo Saka
The FA Cup with Arsenal in 2020 was the only club trophy, not counting the FA Community Shield, that England international Saka has won. Under Mikel Arteta, the team demonstrated that they have closed the gap and are now competing towards the big prizes, such as eliminating Real Madrid in the Champions League, but fell short. Saka could use some addition to his medal collection, having been a player of his quality and having played six seasons of top-level football regularly. Arsenal will also be denied the prize money as well as they attempt to close the gap on Liverpool and Man City, who have been the overwhelming forces in the English game in recent campaigns.
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