THE CLUB WORLD CUP is fast approaching as teams prepare to do battle in the US this month.
The expanded tournament will see 32 teams compete for the coveted trophy and a reported £100million jackpot.
The Club World Cup is just around the corner and forgotten stars are ready to make their mark[/caption]
The newly-expanded 32-team tournament takes place in the US[/caption]
The first-ever edition of the new Club World Cup format will take place in the US.
Chelsea and Manchester City are the sole representatives from the Premier League.
But there are a host of other big-name teams from around the world.
And as a result, there are numerous star players turning out — including those who have vanished from recent memory…
Former Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris will be hoping to make an impact[/caption]
He will turn out for LAFC, who play Chelsea in their group opener[/caption]
GK: HUGO LLORIS (LAFC)
Tottenham’s former captain, 38, joined LAFC at the start of 2024 and has already cemented his place as a fan favourite.
Lloris has clocked up 67 appearances in that short time, hot on the heels of his 447 outings in London.
The World Cup-winning stopper has even landed a trophy in the City of Angels, scooping the US Open Cup in September.
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And after helping LAFC win a playoff to replace Club Leon, Lloris will be between the sticks for the Group D opener against Chelsea on June 16.
But his presence is sure to reignite the Blues’ capital rivalry with Spurs.
CB: SERGIO RAMOS (MONTERREY)
Having led Real Madrid to four Club World Cups in the past, Ramos will be feeling confident he can help Mexican side Monterrey get far this summer.
The centre-back is already captaining the team just four months after joining following spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla.
But at 39 years of age, Ramos has shown he has still got what it takes to boss a defence.
And he will need to be at his best to help Monterrey get past Inter Milan and River Plate in Group E.
Ex-Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos is in town[/caption]
He is now captain of Mexican side Monterrey[/caption]
CB: THIAGO SILVA (FLUMINENSE)
Once a Chelsea icon, always a Chelsea icon.
Even at 40 years old, Silva would still likely walk back into the Blues’ XI.
Instead, he is king of the hill at Fluminense, saving them from relegation in his first season.
And Silva’s know-how should help the Brazilians get out of a group which includes German giants Borussia Dortmund.
Thiago Silva became an icon at Chelsea[/caption]
The veteran is starring for Fluminense[/caption]
CB: NICOLAS OTAMENDI (BENFICA)
A two-time Premier League winner with Man City, Otamendi has gone on to win more trophies since leaving the Etihad.
Having now completed five seasons at Benfica, the 37-year-old has a Portuguese league title to boot.
And he even played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup win in 2022.
Otamendi is just one of several big forgotten names playing at Benfica, who are in a tough group with Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors.
Nicolas Otamendi has won plenty since leaving Man City[/caption]
He has spent five seasons at Benfica[/caption]
RWB: JOAO CANCELO (AL-HILAL)
Once regarded as the best full-back in world football, Cancelo’s fall from grace was swift after starring at giants including Inter Milan, Juventus, Man City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
He is now playing in Saudi Arabia, earning a fortune with moneybags Al-Hilal.
At the age of 31, Cancelo is still playing in his prime years.
And he will be looking to inflict damage when Al-Hilal come up against reigning champions Real Madrid in Group H.
Joao Cancelo will be hoping to upstage old side Man City[/caption]
The right-back plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia[/caption]
CM: ANDER HERRERA (BOCA JUNIORS)
It’s been six years since Herrera, 35, lit up Old Trafford in a Manchester United shirt.
His tenacity in midfield endeared him to supporters while raking in FOUR trophies including the FA Cup and Europa League.
After playing for PSG and a second spell at Athletic Bilbao, Herrera now finds himself in Argentina with Boca Juniors.
But just six appearances in all competitions since his January switch means Herrera may not be guaranteed a starting spot in the US.
Ander Herrera won four trophies at Man Utd[/caption]
He joined Argentine side Boca Juniors in January[/caption]
CM: RUBEN NEVES (AL-HILAL)
Why he was not snapped up by a fellow Premier League club while at Wolves remains a mystery.
Neves, 28, is only entering his prime now and continues to be a key player for Portugal.
Yet he finds himself playing in Saudi with Al-Hilal, completing a shock move two years ago before leading them to a Treble last season.
Neves would still walk into most European squads and could attract interest with some strong Club World Cup performances — but that’s only if he wants to leave the riches of the Middle East.
Ruben Neves was a star man at Wolves[/caption]
He has spent two years at Al-Hilal[/caption]
LWB: ALEX TELLES (BOTAFOGO)
A miserable time at Manchester United saw Telles, 32, fail to live up to the hype as one of Europe’s best left-footers.
After winning trophies galore at Galatasaray and Porto, he left Old Trafford empty-handed after just two years.
But he has enjoyed plenty of success since then, winning trophies at Sevilla, Al-Nassr and now Botafogo.
The Brazilian champs are coming in with a host of experienced homegrown talents and Telles’ deadly free-kicks are likely to cause some damage.
It didn’t work out for Alex Telles at Man Utd[/caption]
He has helped Botafogo win the Brazilian title[/caption]
CAM: ANGEL DI MARIA (BENFICA)
Man United’s flop winger is returning to boyhood Argentina club Rosario Central this summer — but only after he leads out Benfica for the final time at the Club World Cup.
Ignoring his duff sole season in the north west, Di Maria’s record means he will go down as one of football’s most talented and decorated wingers ever.
His two years at Benfica have not yielded any trophies, however.
And Di Maria, 37, will be desperate to make amends before leaving Europe for good.
Angel Di Maria’s struggles at Man Utd are well documented[/caption]
He is leaving Benfica for Rosario Central after the Club World Cup[/caption]
ST: EDINSON CAVANI (BOCA JUNIORS)
Another former United player, Cavani will feel he did not do himself justice during his two seasons in England.
Having also struggled at Valencia, the 38-year-old is now leading the way for Argentine giants Boca Juniors
20 goals in 39 games last year showed Cavani still has an eye for goal.
And although his pace may have gone, the experienced Uruguayan’s sheer physicality and clever movement will surely see him in the mix for the Golden Boot.
Edinson Cavani had a mixed two years at Man Utd[/caption]
He now bangs in goals for Boca Juniors[/caption]
ST: OLIVIER GIROUD (LAFC)
Last but not least, Giroud will face off against old side Chelsea later this month.
His extra-time assist helped LAFC book their place at the tournament ahead of Club America.
Giroud has already become a talisman for his Californian side, preferring the role of creator to goalscorer.
And his cunning know-how could help the experienced poacher nick a goal when he faces off against a young Blues defence.
Olivier Giroud will face old side Chelsea in the group stage[/caption]
He helped LAFC qualify for the tournament with a last-gasp assist[/caption]
You can watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZN.
Subs
- GK: Sergio Romero (Boca Juniors)
- RB: Danilo (Botafogo)
- CB: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal)
- CB: Marcos Rojo (Boca Juniors)
- LB: Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
- CM: Milinkovic-Savic (Al-Hilal)
- CM: Renato Sanches (Benfica)
- RW: Fabio Vieira (Porto)
- CAM: Sergio Canales (Monterrey)
- LW: Felipe Anderson (Palmeiras)
- ST: Salomon Rondon (Pachuca)
