The FIFA Club World Cup : THE GAME ISN’T THE MAIN EVENT

The FIFA Club World Cup isn’t really a tournament.
It’s a market. A massive, dramatic, and outrageously expensive market.

A billion euros in prize money is just the tip of the iceberg.
There’s cash flowing in from transfers, sponsorships, TV deals, and investor hype.
And the football? It’s just background noise. Set decoration.

The Club World Cup: Elite Retirement Home or Coaching Nightmare?

Technically, the season isn’t over.
But many stars have already said goodbye. Gave tearful interviews. Took their final bows.
And yet… here they are again, back on the pitch.

Luka Modrić, Thomas Müller, Ángel Di María – legends who were supposed to rest, not run.

• Modrić is warming Real Madrid’s bench at nearly 40. 
• Di María is still captaining Benfica, though he already signed with Rosario Central. 

Is there still space for them on the pitch? Or are they blocking the next generation?

Real’s rebuild is in the hands of Xabi Alonso – 5 million euros per year to build a system.
But how do you build anything when the roster’s full of “one-night-only” legends?

They’re not playing because they’re needed.
They’re playing because FIFA needs the show.

Inter Miami: $12 Million for a Beach Chill?

Messi is a walking icon. He slows the game down but sells the tickets.

His Inter Miami contract is worth $12 million a year, and with that, he brought in:

• Sergio Busquets
  
• Jordi Alba
  
• Luis Suárez
  
• Keeper Óscar Ustari 

Pace? Intensity? Athleticism? Nope.
This is FC Nostalgia on the beaches of Florida.

Still, they made the playoffs. You can’t buy experience, but you also can’t coach around it.

For the coach, it’s a tactical nightmare.
How do you build a system when half your squad are Messi’s untouchables?

Winning isn’t the priority.
Keeping Leo happy is.

Why No Indonesian Clubs?

Asia was given three slots, not out of fairness, but market logic.

Al-Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Ulsan HD.
No Al-Nassr (despite Ronaldo). No Indonesian clubs.

Why?
Indonesian teams don’t sell global broadcasts, don’t attract European scouts, and don’t move the needle on viewership.

To play in this tournament, talent isn’t enough.
You have to be a profitable asset.

Anyone from Indonesia who could break through?

• Jay Idzes (25, Venezia) – could spark Saudi interest.
  
• Julio César (Persib) – newly signed, solid by local standards, ready for a step up. 

Some Bought Stars, Others Bought Defensive Disasters

The Club World Cup is the perfect testing ground for new signings:

• Trent Alexander-Arnold – thrilling in attack, disastrous in defense. Subbed off in the 75th minute.
  
• Dean Huijsen (price tag: €60M) – looks like Real Madrid’s future anchor. Especially noticeable when he wasn’t on the field against PSG (0–4).
  
• Inter showcased Luka Sučić and Sebastiano Esposito. 

But no sign of Florian Wirtz (€125M, Liverpool) – FIFA didn’t invite the Reds.

Plenty of money. No player.

Ironically, Real Madrid wanted Wirtz. The Spanish press was united on that.
However, neither Madrid nor Bayern offered more than € 100 million.
Liverpool did.

New Coaches, New Drama

Real Madrid, Inter, and Al-Hilal all brought new head coaches:

• Xabi Alonso
  
• Cristian Chivu
  
• Simone Inzaghi 

Now, some Inter players might be tempted to impress their former coach… and land a Saudi payday.
Didn’t quite pan out at this tournament, but the door is open.

South America Isn’t Playing for the Trophy – It’s Playing to Survive

Clubs from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia – they fight like it’s war.
They don’t want medals. They want contracts.

• Igor Jesus (Botafogo) – dreaming of a European return.
  
• Players from Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Fluminense – they treat every game like a tryout. 

One good match here = €500K raise.

Even African sides like Al Ahly (Egypt) and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) are going all in.
Because this might be their one shot.

So What’s the Point of This Tournament?

Not for fans.
Not for football’s soul.
Not for the love of the game.

It’s about money.

The official prize pool is €1 billion.
But there’s more in transfers, deals, and exposure.

Even a benchwarmer could leave this tournament with a €4M/year contract – if the right people liked what they saw.

BOTTOM LINE:

The Club World Cup is Netflix for transfers.

• Messi is the influencer-in-residence
  
• Legends come out for an encore
  
• Coaches stage theatrical showcases
  
• South Americans and Africans fight for a ticket to Europe. 

There is football here, but it’s just a byproduct.