GOAL takes a look at the seven best players of the tournament, including big moments from Saudi Arabia and Brazil stars
The Club World Cup final is set: Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain take the pitch on Sunday, with a champion set to be crowned in FIFA's expanded 32-team competition.
As the tournament comes to a close, it's time to highlight some specific player performances. Al Hilal's breakout star Marcos Leonardo got the world's attention, as did another young attacker in Real Madrid's Gonzalo Garcia, On the other end, defender Thiago Silva, 19 years older than Garcia, spearheaded a historic run from Brazilian side Fluminense as they made it to the semifinals.
There was a common theme across the tournament, though: Europe was king. Chelsea's electric winger Pedro Neto and stalwart midfielder Moises Caicedo made their marks all tournament. The Parisian side also had attacking output from two unexpected players – Achraf Hakimi and Fabian Ruiz, both of whom were key in their run to Sunday's final.
GOAL ranks the top performers from this summer's Club World Cup.
Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now7Moises Caicedo: Chelsea
Caicedo has been lights-out all tournament for Chelsea, putting in a brilliant showing. Suspended for their quarterfinal match due to yellow card accumulation, he returned in the semifinals to run the show against Fluminense.
The Ecuador international is the key to Enzo Maresca's entire system, as he navigated the center of the park with ease, controlling both the tempo and pace of the match while reading the game like no other on the pitch.
He's featured in just four matches for the London-based club this tournament, but in each, he proved to be the most pivotal player. In their 4-1 victory over Benfica in the Round of 16, he registered a crucial assist in extra-time to secure their spot in the quarterfinals – and now, he's on the verge of leading them to history.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport6Marcos Leonardo: Al Hilal
The Brazilian had a tournament to remember for the Saudi Arabian side. Despite the club being full of star talent and former European superstars such as João Cancelo and Kalidou Koulibaly, it was the 22-year-old who stole headlines.
He scored four goals, including two in their heroic upset against Manchester City, as well as bagging their lone strike in a 2-1 defeat to Fluminense in the quarterfinals.
Despite being a relative unknown to most of the footballing world heading into the competition, he lit up the tournament and will be remembered as the striker who took down Pep Guardiola's men at the Club World Cup.
5Fabian Ruiz: PSG
Often out of the spotlight due to the star-studded attack of PSG and the Portuguese double pivot beneath him in the midfield – Vitinha and Joao Neves – Ruiz has quietly had one of the best midfield performances this tournament.
The Spain international has scored three goals and recorded one assist, helping lead the Parisian side into the final – including a spectacular brace against Real Madrid in the semifinals.
The 29-year-old has broken out under Luis Enrique and taken his game to new heights since joining PSG in the summer of 2022. Heading into the finals, he's the dark horse attacker for PSG in the final-third, and could be the key to them lifting their first CWC title.
Getty Images4Gonzalo Garcia: Real Madrid
The young Spanish forward seemingly came out of nowhere to become the starting striker for when Kylian Mbappe was unavailable due to illness and then fitness issues.
During the Frenchman's absence, Garcia scored four goals and recorded one assist. Heading into the final, he's tied for the Golden Boot in the competition with Leonardo, Angel Di Maria, and Serhou Guirassy.
Through the quarterfinals, Garcia had either scored or assisted in each match as stormed through the competition – that is, until they met PSG in the semifinals. In that match, Garcia was handed a start alongside Mbappe, but the Spanish outfit were blanked 4-0.
Regardless, it was a tournament to remember for the Madrid academy product, who showed that he has what it takes to be a regular with the first team under Xabi Alonso this coming season.
