Club World Cup 2025: The 10 players that could define this summer’s tournament

The start of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is closing in with the 32-team footballing extravaganza starting on June 14, featuring some of the biggest names in the sport, all live on DAZN.

From Real Madrid to Bayern Munich to Inter Miami, clubs involved in this summer's competition boast some of the most recognizable players on the planet.

They'll be going head-to-head to determine the best in the world at the club level, and while the list of influential players taking part in the Club World Cup is long, some stand out above the rest.

Whether it's the ability to turn a match on its head, create chances for others, score clutch goals themselves, or just their sheer starpower, here are 10 players that could define the summer tournament.

• Read next | 20 facts about the FIFA Club World Cup

The 10 players that could define the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Lionel Messi

As obvious a pick as there is.

Lionel Messi is one of the true GOATs and still a massively influential icon. Now starring for MLS side Inter Miami, Messi shows that class is indeed permanent as he is the focal point of a club that hopes to shock the world with a deep run on home soil.

Cole Palmer

Chelsea FC

Sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes to unlock a player's potential. That was certainly the case for Cole Palmer, who left boyhood club Manchester City for Chelsea in 2023 and never looked back.

The 23-year-old has thrived at Stamford Bridge after being given the keys to the Chelsea attack, and he has quickly become one of the most feared young talents in England with 40 goals across all competitions in two seasons.

Ousmane Dembélé

Getty Images

Similar to Palmer, Dembélé grew into a bonafide star after swapping one major club for another.

In the French attacker's case, it was leaving Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain that proved pivotal as he has evolved into a true gamechanger with the Ligue 1 giants.

It wasn't immediate — Dembélé scored just six goals in his first campaign in the French capital. But this season has seen the 27-year-old hit his potential in a team built around him, and he could head to the USA with a Champions League winners medal in tow.

Kylian Mbappé

The biggest star for Real Madrid will always command attention no matter the competition, and Mbappé has shown for club and country that he rises to occasion when the lights grow brighter.

Mbappé's ability to take over matches is well documented, and he will be looked upon to provide moments of brilliance as Real Madrid aim to add a sixth FIFA Club World Cup title to their considerable trophy case.

Lautaro Martinez

The Argentine has been a model of consistency with Inter Milan, scoring 20 or more goals in five of the last six seasons for the Nerazzurri — and he scored 19 times in the other season.

Martinez has quietly collected an impressive amount of silverware for club and country, but he hasn't been a passenger for those teams as he is the reigning Serie A Most Valuable Player and helped lead his country to the 2024 Copa America title by winning that tournament's Golden Boot.

Serhou Guirassy

Getty Images

He may not boast the star power of other names on this list, but Serhou Guirassy is just as influential to his team as anyone playing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

A prolific striker boasting back-to-back 20-goal campaigns in the Bundesliga, the Guinea international was second to only Harry Kane in the German top flight's goal charts in each of those seasons.

Harry Kane

Speaking of Harry Kane, the English forward just raised his first trophy for club or country when he led Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title, surely whetting his appetite for more.

Kane has been productive wherever he's played and that has continued into his 30s at Bayern, where he has become the key piece of a vaunted attack that has scored nearly 100 Bundesliga goals this season. The 31-year-old can score in any fashion, making him one of the most exciting players set to suit up in the Club World Cup this summer.

Julián Alvarez

Getty Images

Another Argentina international on this list, Alvarez has enjoyed a fruitful first season in La Liga with Atletico Madrid with 27 goals across all competitions.

At just 25, Alvarez boasts a winning pedigree matched by only the best of the best, with World Cup, Champions League, Copa America, Premier League, FA Cup and Club World Cup medals in his ever-expanding trophy case.

Estêvão

Getty

The youngest player on this list, 18-year-old Estêvão isn't included simply for his enormous potential. He's Palmeiras' leading scorer this season, with eight goals in all competitions so far in 2025.

The teenager already has four caps for Brazil and looks to be that country's next big export as he will join another Club World Cup side — Chelsea — in a transfer that could reportedly fetch roughly €60 million for the South American side.

With the Club World Cup looking to be his Palmeiras swan song, Estêvão could look to use the summer tournament to boost his profile even more.

Erling Haaland

Getty Images

Simply put, Erling Haaland may be the best pure goalscorer of his generation.

A terror for opposing defences at every club he's played for, the 24-year-old has collected Golden Boot awards in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, UEFA Nations League (x2), Premier League (x2) and Champions League (x2). As such, he should probably be considered the favourite to take home the Golden Boot award at this year's FIFA Club World Cup, as well.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZN

Sign up now for a free DAZN account to watch the Club World Cup, starting on Saturday, June 14.

Or, if you are already a DAZN subscriber or Freemium member, then the tournament is part of your current membership.

A DAZN Freemium account costs nothing and provides access to action across football, boxing, NFL, golf, motorsports, basketball, padel and more*.

Free TV Channels include Matchroom Boxing, PGA Tour, PowerSports World, Billiard TV and Padel Time TV*.

You only need an email address to register for a Freemium account, with no hidden costs.

Join now to watch the FIFA Club World Cup and other sport for free on DAZN. Sign up here.

*Sports and channels dependant on country of residence

More Club World Cup

• 2025 FIFA Club World Cup fixtures, groups, schedule, venues
• The wonder kids to watch out for at FIFA Club World Cup
• Ten legends to star at FIFA Club World Cup
• FIFA Club World Cup: The continental champions looking for world glory
• A guide to the 12 US Club World Cup venues
• How to watch the Club World Cup on DAZN