2025 Club World Cup: 10 players to watch including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and rising talents
With the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup approaching, it can be hard to keep track of the 32 squads that will take the field this weekend. However, though the tournament will be a little light on purpose, it certainly won't be lacking in star power.
The sprawling club tournament will be a clash of global heavyweights. As a result, some of the best players in the world will be participating across the U.S., and may even have a chance to play each other if their teams make it to the next round.
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With so much talent taking the field this summer in the Club World Cup, here are 10 of the most exciting players to keep an eye on in the tournament.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kick things off in the Club World Cup opener Saturday vs. Egypt's Al Ahly.(Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
(CHANDAN KHANNA via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi — Inter Miami
Inter Miami's selection last fall raised some eyebrows, as the team was seemingly named to the tournament out of the blue. Though FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that Inter Miami qualified after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield, the more obvious reason was that this tournament wanted — or maybe needed — Lionel Messi.
But the Argentine star and Inter Miami captain is a huge draw for a reason, and is likely to shine just as brightly this summer. After a few injury-ridden years, Messi is finally getting some real playing time with Miami, playing in 13 of the team's 16 matches so far this season. In that span, he's put up an efficient 10 goals and six assists, which puts him in the top five of both categories. The 37-year-old Messi is the highest-scoring player on the team, in part because he shoots more than any of his Inter Miami teammates. So far this season, Messi has 30 shots on target — three times as many as his nearest teammates.
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Despite being one of the better non-European clubs, Miami is a little bit of a long shot this tournament (+660 at BetMGM to win it all). But if they do go far, odds are it'll be Messi driving them to that success.
Kylian Mbappé — Real Madrid
In the previous iteration of the Club World Cup, Real Madrid was the most successful club, winning five titles since the tournament was founded in 2000. Now, French star Kylian Mbappé will be among the players to attempt to recreate that success.
With players like Vini Jr. and Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid might be one of the most stacked and exciting teams at the tournament. But Mbappé is one to watch throughout the tournament. A year after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and joining Spanish heavyweight Real Madrid, the versatile French forward is Madrid's top scorer and one of the most dynamic attacking players in the world.
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Mbappé has had a strong year with Madrid, putting up 31 goals — the most in La Liga. But despite his offensive strength, Real Madrid didn't quite end where it wanted, falling just short of Barcelona for the La Liga title. This tournament offers him a chance to earn his first trophy with the club on a global stage — an opportunity that he'll hopefully take full advantage of.
Ousmane Dembélé and PSG will look to carry Champions League and Ligue 1 success into the Club World Cup. (Photo by)
(Jean Catuffe via Getty Images)
Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain
As the best player on the best team in Europe, Ousmane Dembélé is likely to make a splash at the Club World Cup. Dembélé finished the year with a team-leading 21 goals — a career high — as he moved from a supporting role to a star position in Mbappé's absence.
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The 2025 PSG team is a unique one: After years of thriving on the star power of some of the biggest names in the sport, this year's squad was built with lesser-known but still talented players, who have made a name for themselves this season. Dembélé is one of those players, taking full advantage of his opportunity to establish himself as an attacking presence.
With Dembélé leading the way, but with plenty of other talent alongside him, PSG will attempt to turn their collaborative effort into a victory at the Club World Cup.
Harry Kane — Bayern Munich
English striker Harry Kane is riding high heading into the tournament. The 31-year-old forward helped lead Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title last month, earning Kane his first career title. He led the league in goal contributions with 26 goals and nine assists, and earned Bundesliga's Player of the Season honors.
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Kane joined Bayern Munich in 2023 after a nearly 15-year stint with Tottenham Hotspur. Though his career is long and decorated on an individual level, Kane was notably missing a major title in his trophy case. Now that he's got it, maybe he'll drive Bayern Munich to get another this summer.
(Photo by)
(Alex Davidson via Getty Images)
Erling Haaland — Manchester City
As one of the favorites to potentially win the tournament, Manchester City will rely on the offensive prowess of Erling Haaland.
The 24-year-old Norwegian has slowed down slightly on the scoring front this season, scoring 22 goals across 31 games — down from his 36 goals in his first Premier League season in Manchester. But Haaland is still at the core of Man City's attacking line, and will be an exciting player to watch throughout the tournament. Haaland has a penchant to muscling his way to the goal, and is known for putting up multiple goals in a game; he has 13 hat tricks in three years with Man City, across all competitions.
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The primary competition in Man City's Group G will be Italy's Juventus. But the other two smaller clubs, Wydad and Al Ain, are two of the lowest-ranked in the entire tournament. Expect Haaland to rack up goals in those two group stage games.
Cole Palmer — Chelsea
Heading into this tournament, Cole Palmer has a lot to prove. After a strong 2023-24 Premier League season, the 23-year-old midfielder started off the 2024-25 season well, scoring 12 goals in the first five months of play and putting him on pace for a career best.
But the hot start — including a stunning four-goal performance in September — gave way to a long cold spell. Since January, Palmer has scored only three goals for Chelsea across all competitions, plus three assists. Maybe the Club World Cup will be exactly what Palmer needs to get hot once again.
Julián Álvarez — Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid might be known for its defensive performances, but the club will be depending on Julián Álvarez to keep things moving on the offensive end.
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Álvarez had 17 goals and four assists in La Liga this season, second-most on the team, but his versatility as a forward and attacking player is going to be important to help Atlético Madrid advance to the next round. Álvarez is also the club's primary penalty shooter, something that will be especially key in the later rounds.
Despite only spending a year with the team, Álvarez's time with Atlético Madrid might be numbered: The 25-year-old Argentine has been linked to offseason moves with Liverpool and Barcelona. But for now, he'll do his best to get Atlético Madrid through a competitive Group B.
Palmeiras rising star Estêvão, 18, will showcase his Messi-esque flair at the Club World Cup. (Photo by)
(Miguel Schincariol via Getty Images)
Estêvão — Palmeiras
18-year-old Brazilian winger Estêvão is well on his way to becoming the next great sensation, drawing comparisons to Barcelona teen phenom Lamine Yamal. His skills caught the eye of Chelsea, who signed him away from his hometown club, Palmeiras.
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But before Estêvão heads to England, the forward will play for Palmeiras in the Club World Cup, trying to lead the Brazilian club through the tournament. Though he can score, Estêvão has an ability to read the game and create plays in a way that is beyond his years.
Now, weeks after helping send Palmeiras to the knockout round of the CONMEBOL Libertadores, Estêvão will try to do the same in the Club World Cup. Notably, the young winger, who has also drawn comparisons to Messi, will play Inter Miami in the group stage.
Lautaro Martínez — Inter Milan
Coming off a brutal defeat to PSG in the Champions League final, Inter Milan will be looking to redeem itself. Striker and captain Lautaro Martínez, who is in his seventh year with the Serie A squad, will be at the forefront of that fight.
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Though it's been a slower year for the 27-year-old Argentine forward, Martinez's 12 goals and three assists was still the second-highest on the team. More importantly, it's the forward's ability to pass and move the ball that will be key, as well as his leadership.
As the only European squad in their group, Inter Milan is in an easy spot for the first round. But Inter will have a taller task ahead in the knockout round.
Franco Mastantuono — River Plate
Like Estêvão, River Plate forward Franco Mastantuono will be departing his squad for another Club World Cup team after the tournament. The 17-year-old is set to officially sign with Real Madrid, completing medical tests this week, and will head to Spain after the tournament.
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But first, Mastantuono will stay with his hometown club for now, and will try to push River Plate out of a relatively wide-open Group E.
Mastantuono has had limited playing time this season, but put up three goals and three assists in 10 matches. The young Argentine has and a strong foot, with the ability to score off free kicks and make plays. Though Mastantuono is young and has plenty of development left, there's a good chance that he'll do something exciting as he takes one last ride with River Plate.
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