League: La Liga (Spain)
Total Squad Value: €1.41 billion
Average Age: 25.3 years
Key Achievements: 15 UEFA Champions League titles, 36 La Liga titles, 8 Club World Cup titles
Team Profile
As the most decorated club in world football, Real Madrid enters the 2025 Club World Cup with a blend of star power and tactical sophistication. The team secured its place through yet another Champions League triumph, though their 2024–25 domestic campaign saw mixed results, finishing as La Liga runners-up and exiting the Champions League at the quarter-finals . Despite these setbacks, Los Blancos remain a force to be reckoned with, boasting a squad packed with world-class talents.
Tactics & Key Players
Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Madrid has shifted towards a high-pressing, possession-based system, emphasizing quick transitions and vertical attacks . The midfield trio of Jude Bellingham (€180M), Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelien Tchouameni forms a dynamic axis, combining defensive solidity with creative spark.
Up front, Kylian Mbappé (43 goals, 5 assists in 2024–25), Vinícius Júnior (21 goals, 15 assists), and Rodrygo Goes terrorizes opponents with blistering pace and clinical finishing . Mbappé’s speed (36 km/h) and movement off the ball make him a constant threat, while Vinícius’ dribbling and crossing provide width . Defensively, David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger anchor a backline bolstered by new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose advanced role as a right-sided midfielder adds tactical flexibility.
Challenges & Opportunities
Madrid’s injury crisis, which saw key players like Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal sidelined for extended periods, remains a concern . However, the return of Luka Modrić as an honorary squad member injects invaluable experience, especially in midfield control . With Alonso’s focus on youth integration, prospects like Endrick Felipe could make an impact in the tournament.
League: Saudi Pro League
Total Squad Value: €180 million
Average Age: 28.1 years
Key Achievements: 18 Saudi Pro League titles, 4 AFC Champions League titles
Team Profile
Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia’s most successful club, arrives at the Club World Cup as a rising force in Asian football. Despite losing Neymar in January 2025 , the team has maintained its competitive edge through strategic signings and a cohesive tactical setup.
Tactics & Key Players
The duo of Sergej Milinković-Savić and Ruben Neves orchestrates play from deep, combining physicality with precise passing . Up front, Aleksandar Mitrović (32 goals in 2024–25) leads the line with his aerial dominance and clinical finishing, while Malcolm’s pace and trickery on the wings stretch defenses .
Defensively, Kalidou Koulibaly and João Cancelo (recently recovered from injury) form a robust partnership, supported by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s shot-stopping prowess . The team’s set-piece efficiency is notable, with nearly 30% of their goals coming from corners and free-kicks.
Challenges & Opportunities
Al-Hilal’s aging squad (average age 28.1) and reliance on foreign stars like Mitrović (32) could prove a liability against high-intensity European opponents . However, their experience in AFC Champions League competitions and adaptability to different styles make them dark horses. The return of Cancelo, a key figure in their defensive stability, is a major boost ahead of the tournament.
