GOAL runs through the players who have announced themselves at the top level in the first week of the global tournament
"I think the players are loving it, it’s something new. It’s something special," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said when asked to assess the first week of the expanded Club World Cup at the Fanatics Fest in New York at the weekend. "It’s a real World Cup with the best teams and the best players."
That final statement may be a stretch given the absence of Premier League and La Liga champions Liverpool and Barcelona among a host of other elite teams. But Infantino is not wrong about the general mood among the players who are starring in the United States this summer.
There was much debate about potential burnout heading into the tournament, but all the big names have been playing with huge smiles on their faces. Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos have rolled back the years for Inter Miami and Monterrey, respectively, while Jude Bellingham has led by example at Real Madrid, and Phil Foden has rediscovered his best form with Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich duo Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala have stormed to the top of the scoring chart with three goals apiece, and former Arsenal midfielder Jorginho helped Flamengo become the first team to reach the knockout phase. But the more seasoned performers have also had to share the headlines with hungry newcomers determined to leave a lasting impression on the elite stage.
GOAL takes a look at the top 10 breakout stars of the 2025 Club World Cup so far, starting with a Brazilian striker bound for the Premier League…
Igor Jesus (Botafogo)
Described as the "Didier Drogba of modern times" by South American football expert Tim Vickery, Igor Jesus has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining Botafogo from Shabab Al Ahli in July 2024. The physically imposing frontman, ironically nicknamed 'The Little Frog', helped Botafogo clinch a league and Copa Libertadores double last season while also breaking into the Brazil national team, which prompted Nottingham Forest to swoop for his services.
Forest reportedly agreed a £17 million ($23m) deal for Jesus the week before the Club World Cup kicked off, which looks like a snip based on how he has performed in Botafogo's group games. The 24-year-old scored the winner in the Brazilian club's opener against the Seattle Sounders, busting out a passionate 'Kamehameha' celebration inspired by the iconic anime show Dragon Ball Z, and then repeated the trick against Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain after nutmegging Willian Pacho.
But Jesus will bring so much more to Forest than just goals. Botafogo ceded almost 75 percent of the possession to PSG, but always posed a threat on the counter because of Jesus' superb hold-up play. He's a relentless ball winner with an incredible spring that more than makes up for his 5'10 stature, and his presence alone makes Botafogo dark horses for the Club World Cup crown.
AdvertisementJhon Arias (Fluminense)
Colombia international Jhon Arias has emerged as a surprise early contender for Player of the Tournament. The 27-year-old dazzled with his pace and trickery in Fluminense's 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund on matchday one, earning the Player of the Match award in the process, and was very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after a fascinating battle with BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Arias did get his goal in Fluminense's subsequent 4-2 triumph against South Korean outfit Ulsan, though, and it was well worth the wait. He curled an unstoppable, 25-yard free-kick into the top right corner of the net to give his team the lead, which was the cherry on top of another MVP performance as he also assisted Juan Freitas' goal.
Crystal Palace were strongly linked with Arias in the winter transfer window, and they may well reignite their interest if he keeps delivering the goods for Fluminense. The former Santa Fe attacker has spent his entire career so far in Latin America, but is now showing that he deserves a chance to test himself in one of Europe's major leagues.
Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZNStream nowGettyEstevao Willian (Palmeiras)
Estevao Willian claimed back-to-back Player of the Match awards with Palmeiras at the Club World Cup, further whetting the appetite of Chelsea fans anticipating the 18-year-old's arrival at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2025-26 season. Chelsea's £56m ($71m) investment in Estevao is already looking like a shrewd one, with the youngster having tormented the Porto backline in a 0-0 draw before also shining in Palmeiras' comfortable 2-0 win against Al Ahly.
There is still plenty of room for improvement when it comes to Estevao's end product, but his explosive, fearless style of play has been a joy to behold. The supremely gifted Brazil international, nicknamed 'Messinho', possesses the acceleration, footwork, and balance to dance around defenders with ease, while he has a penchant for identifying and exploiting space in the final third.
It also bodes well for Chelsea that Estevao is more than holding his own physically in the United States. The teenager could go straight into Enzo Maresca's line up based on his group-stage displays, and there is potential for him to form a fearsome partnership with the Blues' current leading man, Cole Palmer.
Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)
Juventus have had big hopes for Kenan Yildiz ever since beating Barcelona to the former Bayern Munich academy star's signature in 2022. His development has not always run smoothly, though, with consistency proving elusive after his breakthrough into the senior squad, and a reported clash with ex-Juve coach Thiago Motta only worsened matters.
But Yildiz is reminding the world of his unique talent at the Club World Cup. The 20-year-old was among the scorers in Juve's 5-0 demolition of Al Ain, finding the bottom corner from long range despite being surrounded by defenders, and he was simply sensational in their 4-1 win over Wydad Casablanca on matchday two.
Yildiz forced the own goal that broke the deadlock after just six minutes before scoring what may end up being the goal of the tournament. The Turkey international almost burst the net with a thunderous half-volley from the edge of the box that whistled past the Wydad 'keeper in the blink of an eye, and he doubled his account in the second half for good measure.
"Kenan has huge potential, but it's his mentality that will take him far," Juve boss Igor Tudor said after the game. It may also take the Bianconeri to their first Club World Cup crown.
