The big guys no longer despise the FIFA Club World Cup.

Man City stars like Haaland really need the FIFA Club World Cup to regain their form - Photo: Reuters

Pep Guardiola has spent the past year lamenting Man City's busy schedule, with the club expected to play 64 competitive games in 11 months.

Pep no longer complains

In the 2024-2025 season alone, by the end of May, Man City will have played a total of 57 matches in different competitions. That number will be supplemented by at least 3 matches and up to 7 more matches in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

64 consecutive matches in 11 months (not counting friendlies), it's understandable why coach Guardiola is always complaining.

But that was a year ago, when Man City were still arrogantly claiming the title. At that time, experts even predicted that Man City would have to play up to 70 matches this season. But then Pep and his team had a disastrous season, witnessing their early elimination from the Champions League.

Pep no longer complains about the schedule. Instead, over the past few months, the Spanish strategist has turned to complaining about the spirit of his players with statements such as "My players no longer celebrate with excitement, they are losing passion".

The shocking defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final will make Pep even more worried. Haaland suddenly gave up the penalty to Marmoush (possibly because he was afraid of the pressure), and Marmoush missed. On the bench, a series of superstars such as Foden, Nico Gonzalez, Grealish, Gundogan... were fidgeting because they could not get on the field.

Man City's squad is no longer thin after the winter transfer window. They currently have 28 players in the first team - an overwhelming number compared to other strong teams (like Liverpool and Arsenal only have 24). Pep does not need his players to rest anymore.

Instead, he needs them to get their fighting spirit up, and a tournament like the FIFA Club World Cup is the perfect opportunity. In terms of rewards, it offers as much money as the Champions League.

Real Madrid's chance

Meanwhile, another giant, Real Madrid, promises to introduce new superstars at the FIFA Club World Cup. The season is not over yet, but Real Madrid has already completed two impressive contracts in the names of Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen.

The first is considered the best right-back in the world , the other is a young centre-back with great potential. Both fit the exact positions that Real Madrid are lacking.

Not only players, Real Madrid also has new head coach Xabi Alonso, promising to bring a strong change of blood at Bernabeu. The Spanish royal team has done everything to have the new stars working from the beginning of June.

In the immediate future, coach Alonso and center back Huijsen will definitely attend the FIFA Club World Cup, while Alexander-Arnold is negotiating with Liverpool to leave the team as early as the beginning of June.

Real Madrid's enthusiasm is the clearest answer to the quality of the FIFA Club World Cup - the tournament is held for the 21st time this June, but is a completely superior version compared to the past.

32 teams, including 12 European teams, 1 Saudi Arabian team (Al-Hilal with many world stars) and 1 team with Messi on the list (Inter Miami). Overall, the FIFA Club World Cup is not much different in quality than the Champions League.

In the case of the World Cup or Euros, the stars leave their clubs at the end of May, join the national team at the beginning of June, and have only about 10 days to prepare before the tournament. But in the FIFA Club World Cup, those problems do not exist when they are still wearing the club's shirt.

The criticism will be gone. Instead, there will be a great effort to win the huge prize of more than 100 million euros for the champion.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cac-dai-gia-da-khong-con-che-fifa-club-world-cup-20250519101512738.htm