The Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo takes the trophy after the final match of the UEFA Nations League between Portugal and Spain in Munich (Germany), June 8, 2025.
Photo: EFE – Anna Szilagyi
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Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Salah, Pedri Y Lamine Yamal —The new football jewel – will be absent in the 2025 Club World Cup.
The tournament, which will premiere extended format in the United States, aspires to mark an era, although without several of the most recognized stars of the global stage.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, the absent giant
Cristiano Ronaldoarchitect last Sunday of the title of Portugal in the European Nations League, confirmed that, despite having received offers, including one from Argentina – it is believed that it was River Plate After his connection with Marcelo Gallardo – he refused to join other teams to play the World Cup.
The Saudi Al -Nesr was out of the competition after a season without titles, and even its future hangs from a thread: its contract expires on June 30 and its recent publications in networks – as “This chapter is over. History? It is still being written”– They were interpreted as possible goodbye to Arabic football.
For the first time in two decades of prominence, the 40 -year -old Portuguese star will miss a tournament of this size.
2. Neymar Jr., the jewel that goes out
He returned to Santos in January 2025 with the illusion of recovering continuity after a serious knee injury when he belonged to the Saudi Al-Hilal.
But since then, the passage of the 33 -year -old Brazilian star has been erratic: two almost consecutive injuries They have prevented him from shining while the emblematic club sinks into the descent positions of the Brazilian.
His contract expires on June 30 and his future in the Paulista painting, the same where Pelé forged a good part of his legend, It is uncertain.
Neymar's absence – still one of the most unbalanced talents on the planet – is a sensitive decline for the tournament, which is deprived of one of the most attractive players both in sports and commercial.
3. Mohamed Salah, King of Africa
The Egyptian attacker will not participate because the Liverpool failed to classify the tournament under the UEFA performance criteria between 2021 and 2024.
At 32, Salah is still a key player in Anfield, conquering this season the title of the Premier League, and an icon of African football.
His absence leaves the Club World Cup Without one of the most lethal ends and consisting of recent times, and without a particularly popular figure in the Middle East and Africa.
4. Pedri, the elegant boy
The Club World Cup will not have FC Barcelona, one of the great absent. The Spanish club did not achieve enough points in the UEFA ranking to classify the tournament, leaving out two of its greatest promises: Pedri and Lamine Yamal.
Pedri, 22, was elected Golden Boy in 2021 and received the Trofeo Ask That same year by France Football, after dazzling in the sub-17 World Cup in Brazil-2019.
His game vision, precision in the pass and tactical maturity catapult him as the creative engine of Barça and one of the most refined midfielders in Europe.
5. Yamal, the future Messi?
Lamine Yamal, with just 17 years, conquered the Golden Boy In November 2024, becoming the youngest winner of the prestigious award, and also added the Kopa trophy. He was champion of the Eurocup of 2024, where he was named the best young player in the tournament.
With FC Barcelona he won this season with LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cuptransforming into the irreplaceable figure of the team.
Yamal is considered by many as the natural heir of Lionel Messi. His self -confidence, technique and early maturity project it as a future gold ball.
His absence takes away the tournament one of his most fascinating stories: that of the child prodigy that already challenges the greats and has everything to become A legend.
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