Top Five Football Stars Missing the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Overview of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to take place in the United States, boasting a staggering prize pool of one billion dollars. However, the tournament will be missing some of football's biggest names. The event is crucial in the global football calendar, with the first play-in match having occurred on May 31, featuring LAFC against Club América. As the tournament approaches, here are five renowned players who will not be participating.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, the 40-year-old Portuguese forward, had expressed interest in participating in the tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino suggested that Ronaldo could transfer from Al Nassr to a qualifying club. Despite winning the Nations League with Portugal recently, Ronaldo confirmed his intention to stay with Al Nassr, stating, "Some teams reached out to me, but you can’t try and do everything."
Neymar
Brazilian superstar Neymar has been dealing with injuries while playing for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. He returned to Santos in January 2025, aiming to regain his fitness ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Although he has lost some of his previous form at 33, his absence from the tournament is a significant commercial setback. Brazil midfielder Casemiro praised Neymar, calling him one of the top three players in football history.
Mohamed Salah
Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah, who recently set a Premier League record with 29 goals and 18 assists, will also miss the tournament. After a demanding season, Salah seems to welcome a summer break, sharing a photo of himself relaxing on the beach. His absence, along with that of captain Virgil van Dijk, means they will miss a chance for a rematch against PSG, who defeated them in the Champions League.
Lamine Yamal
Spanish winger Lamine Yamal has had an impressive season, scoring 53 goals across all competitions and is a contender for the Ballon d'Or. Known for his exciting dribbling skills, Yamal is often compared to Lionel Messi. Unfortunately, with Barcelona not qualifying, he will miss the opportunity to face Messi, who will be playing for Inter Miami.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka, the England international, has only won the FA Cup with Arsenal, aside from the FA Community Shield. Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has shown significant improvement, but Saka's absence from the Club World Cup means he will miss a chance to add to his trophy collection. Arsenal will also miss out on the prize money as they strive to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City.