10 forgotten footballers we can’t believe will be at the Club World Cup: Lanzini, Malcom…

 

10 forgotten footballers we can’t believe will be at the Club World Cup: Lanzini, Malcom… The expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will feature a mix of global giants like Real Madrid, Chelsea, PSG, and Inter, all vying for a hefty £100million prize. Alongside them, lesser-known clubs will showcase players you might’ve forgotten about. Here’s a rundown of 10 such footballers set to appear at the tournament:

Malcom

Once a Barcelona prospect, the Brazilian winger faded from view after a four-year stint at Zenit Saint Petersburg. Now at Al Hilal since 2023, Malcom’s been part of their Saudi Pro League dominance, though he missed out on a league title in 2024-25 for the first time since 2018.

Rui Patricio The 37-year-old Portuguese goalkeeper, a veteran of Sporting, Wolves, Roma, and Atalanta, recently left Europe after warming Atalanta’s bench. He’s now signed with Al Ain, the 2023-24 Asian Champions League winners, ready to guard the net in Abu Dhabi.

Lee Chung-yong A throwback to the Premier League’s “Barclays era,” the South Korean winger starred for Bolton and Crystal Palace. Since returning to South Korea in 2020, he’s with Ulsan HD, who qualified as one of Asia’s top-ranked teams over the past four years.

Oliver Torres A former wonderkid from Football Manager glory days, the 30-year-old Spaniard never fully lived up to the hype. After spells at Atletico Madrid, Porto, and Sevilla, he’s now at Monterrey, alongside Sergio Ramos and Sergio Canales, who qualified via the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.

Salomon Rondon The Venezuelan striker, known for his Premier League days as a physical force, is thriving at Pachuca in Liga MX with a one-in-two goal ratio. The 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners will rely on the 35-year-old’s experience.

Cengiz Under Still just 27, the Turkish winger’s career hasn’t matched his early promise at Roma. After stints in Ligue 1, the Premier League, and a fallout with Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce, he’s on loan at LAFC, who snatched a dramatic last-gasp Club World Cup spot by beating Club America.

Alex Sandro The Brazilian left-back, a long-time stalwart at Porto and Juventus, returned home in 2024 to join Flamengo, the 2022 Copa Libertadores champions. Coached by Filipe Luis, Flamengo also boast Everton Soares and Giorgian de Arrascaeta.

Renato Augusto The 37-year-old midfielder left Europe in 2012 after over 100 games for Bayer Leverkusen. Back in Brazil with Fluminense, via Corinthians and a five-year spell in China, he’s part of the squad hoping to improve on their 4-0 loss to Manchester City in the 2023 Club World Cup final.

Manuel Lanzini The former West Ham flair merchant is now with River Plate, one of South America’s top-ranked sides. Under Marcelo Gallardo’s second stint, Lanzini could shine alongside 17-year-old prodigy Franco Mastantuono in matches against Inter, Monterrey, and Urawa Reds.

Ander Herrera The gritty Basque midfielder, ex-Manchester United and Athletic Club, joined Boca Juniors in 2025 for a new chapter at La Bombonera. He’s not alone, with fellow United alumni Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo, and Edinson Cavani also in Boca’s star-studded ranks.

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