Messi back in big time and revamped Man City - Five talking points ahead of Fifa’s billion-dollar tournament

 

Messi back in big time and revamped Man City - Five talking points ahead of Fifa’s billion-dollar tournament Despite ongoing concerns about ticket sales and player fatigue, the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup is set to provide plenty of drama this summer in the United States. With $1 billion in prize money at stake, TRENDINGBLOG247 Sport highlights five compelling narratives to follow as clubs from across the globe battle for world supremacy.

1. Messi Returns to the Global Stage

Lionel Messi, now 37, returns to face European opposition after two seasons with MLS side Inter Miami. Joined by fellow ex-Barcelona veterans Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, the Argentine legend will aim to show he still has the quality to compete at the highest level. Inter Miami's second group match sees them take on Portuguese giants Porto in Atlanta—a club Messi once faced in the 2011 UEFA Super Cup and also in a 2003 friendly, which marked his unofficial Barcelona debut at just 16. If Messi scores during the tournament, he could become the oldest goalscorer in Club World Cup history. He and Suarez are also chasing Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time record in the competition—both trail by just two goals.

2. Desire Doue's Rapid Rise Paris Saint-Germain’s newest sensation, Desire Doue, has emerged as one of world football’s most exciting young talents. The 20-year-old lit up the Champions League final with two goals and an assist in PSG’s win over Inter Milan, drawing comparisons to Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal. With Barcelona absent from this year’s tournament, all eyes will be on Doue as PSG take on Atletico Madrid in their Club World Cup opener at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.

3. A New Look Manchester City After a disappointing domestic season by their high standards, Manchester City responded aggressively in the Club World Cup's dedicated transfer window. The English champions spent over £100 million to bring in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Rayan Cherki. Cherki, a gifted 21-year-old attacking midfielder from France, is tipped to be a breakout star. With Rodri returning from injury, City will look to reassert themselves on the global stage. “He has world-class potential,” said City’s director of football Hugo Viana about Cherki. “With our guidance, he can get there.”

4. South American Firepower Unlike their European counterparts, South American teams arrive fresh, as their domestic seasons are in full swing. Clubs like River Plate and Palmeiras take this competition seriously, viewing it as an opportunity to prove themselves against the best. Fans unfamiliar with the South American game will discover top talents like River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono—soon to join Real Madrid—and Palmeiras’ teenage star Estevao Willian, who will move to Chelsea after the tournament. Both players aim to sign off with a statement performance on the global stage.

5. Atletico Madrid’s Burning Ambition Atletico Madrid enter the Club World Cup with a point to prove. Despite a strong start to the season, they ended without a trophy and were controversially eliminated from the Champions League by rivals Real Madrid. Head coach Diego Simeone has made it clear that this summer’s tournament is a top priority. “I hope we can advance in the Club World Cup and lead Atletico Madrid to a privileged position,” he said. Having edged out Barcelona for a Club World Cup spot, Simeone’s men are eager to end their silverware drought their last major success outside Spain came in 2018.

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