Club World Cup Standouts: Football Park's Player Rankings Revealed

The Club World Cup generated several headlines for various reasons, with a new format featuring 32 teams competing for the title of world champions.

The best teams in the world, such as Real Madrid and Chelsea, competed, while some of the most talented players on earth also battled it out in the States.

Chelsea comfortably defeated PSG, winning 3-0 in the final. However, looking back on the tournament, who were the 10 best players at the FIFA Club World Cup?

1. Cole Palmer

2. Desire Doue

3. Achraf Hakimi

4. Vitinha

5. Robert Sanchez

6. Pedro Neto

7. Gonzalo Garcia

8. Michael Olise

9. Ruben Neves

10. Nicolo Barella

Player of the Tournament: Cole Palmer 🥶 pic.twitter.com/eMXlFgZABa

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 13, 2025

1. Cole Palmer

A player that is often criticised for his performances in big matches, Cole Palmer well and truly showed up at the Club World Cup for Chelsea, netting three goals and assisting twice.

A fluid attacker, the England international ended the tournament with the most open-play chances created (11) and the fifth most take-ons completed (13). A Club World Cup winner, Palmer was the difference maker in the final at the MetLife Stadium, scoring twice and assisting the third goal as Chelsea were 3-0 victors.

The decisive figure in the most important match of the tournament and a consistent threat for his side, Palmer was rightfully awarded the Club World Cup’s best player award and more than deserves to be at the top of this list.

2. Desire Doue

Arguably the most exciting wonderkid - other than Lamine Yamal - in world football, Desire Doue is destined for the top, announcing himself onto the world with an excellent debut season at PSG, scoring twice and assisting once in the UEFA Champions League final.

At the Club World Cup, the Frenchman was not as productive, scoring just one goal. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old was fabulous nonetheless, being awarded the tournament’s award for the best young player.

A tricky customer for any full-back, Doue averaged 3.43 successful dribbles, and 1.14 chances created per 90 as PSG reached the final. Impressively, Doue also finished the tournament as the player with the most take-ons completed (21) as he was rightly recognised for a successful summer in America.

3. Achraf Hakimi

Over the past year, Achraf Hakimi has firmly solidified himself as the best right-back in world football – from unwanted at Real Madrid to a dominant full-back in France. After an incredible final in the Champions League for Hakimi, the Moroccan picked up his hot form in the Club World Cup, despite finishing as runners-up.

Operating as a right back, Hakimi registered two goals and two assists in the tournament, also finishing as the player with the second most touches (839), passes completed (452), and the player with the joint most big chances created (5).

The 26-year-old was outstanding throughout proceedings in America. However, with the Parisians losing out in the final against Chelsea - Hakimi cannot be seen as the best player at the Club World Cup.

🇲🇦 Achraf Hakimi is the only player to have made every Club World Cup Team Of The Week.🤯

🌟Group Stage
🌟 Round of 16
🌟 Quarter-finals
🌟 Semi-finals

— involved in 4 goals (2 Goals & 2 Assists)
— Highest rated PSG player (7.99)

A Player of the Tournament contender🏆 pic.twitter.com/fJhjmHJB7X

— Olt Sports (@oltsport_) July 11, 2025

4. Vitinha

One of the key players in PSG’s Champions League winning campaign last season, Vitinha has exploded onto the scene, making a name for himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. A Portugal international, Vitinha played every minute of the competition for the French giants, starting in every match, including the final.

An instrumental figure in the middle; Vitinha led players in the Club World Cup for possessions won (41), passes completed (711), and touches (839). Vitinha also averaged 101.6 successful passes and 10.3 accurate long balls per 90 in a stupendous campaign.

Unlucky to be defeated in the final, it is clear to see that Vitinha was one of the best players in the tournament, potentially even the best if the result in the final had been different.

5. Robert Sanchez

It was not the easiest season for Robert Sanchez, the Spaniard often coming under criticism in the Chelsea goal. However, at the Club World Cup, it was quite the opposite. Sanchez was awarded the goalkeeper of the tournament award - the shot-stopper also being a hero in Chelsea’s victory in the final.

Within the tournament; Sanchez kept the fourth most clean sheets (4), and made the fourth most saves (23), alongside having the trophy in his hands – the Spaniard was well worth being awarded as the best goalkeeper at the tournament.

Following a tricky season in the Premier League, Sanchez deserves heaps of praise for his performances at the Club World Cup, and his impact in goal should not be underestimated, making big stops to keep Chelsea in front.

6. Pedro Neto

It has been a relatively mixed debut season for Pedro Neto at Chelsea, scoring four goals and assisting six times in 35 Premier League appearances. Initially, the Portugal international struggled to nail down a starting spot, but as the season progressed, Neto impressed, becoming a crucial part of Enzo Maresca’s side.

Come the Club World Cup, Neto played a huge role in Chelsea’s success in the tournament, scoring in both of the opening fixtures before scoring a decisive goal in extra-time against Benfica in the Round of 16. Neto went on to play a large role in the following games in America as Chelsea lifted the Club World Cup trophy.

The third most accurate crosser (12), and second most successful player in take-ons (18) – the Portuguese winger was outstanding, rightly earning recognition as one of the best players at the Club World Cup.

Gonzalo García, shining on the world stage. 🌟

Top Goal Scorer Award presented by Bank of America pic.twitter.com/r44NHxMisn

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) July 15, 2025

7. Gonzalo Garcia

An unknown quantity coming into this tournament, Gonzalo Garcia is a 21-year-old striker for Real Madrid, who has risen through the youth ranks at the Bernabeu, making just six senior appearances before the Club World Cup.

Nevertheless, after it’s competition, the Spaniard made quite the name for himself in America, appearing six times for the Los Blancos and earning the Golden Boot award with four goals.

While he might not have the world-class ability of some of the other players on this list, Garcia’s impact should not be understated with the striker grabbing the opportunity with both hands and making a positive impression on Real Madrid fans.

8. Michael Olise

Since moving from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich, Michael Olise has been dynamite on the wing, registering 12 goals and 15 assists in his debut season in the Bundesliga. This summer, the Frenchman has carried over his form to the Club World Cup, scoring three goals and assisting twice.

The player with the most goal contributions in the entire tournament (5), Olise was also the third biggest creator, generating four big chances. With Bayern Munich comfortably beaten by PSG in the quarter-finals, it is easy to predict that Olise could have had an even better tournament, going from strength to strength against top opposition.

However, without silverware in his hands, it is hard to rank the winger above some of the other players in this list.

9. Ruben Neves

The leader and anchor for Al Hilal, Ruben Neves had a fantastic tournament as the Saudi Arabian side exceeded all expectations, reaching the quarter-final stages. Playing out of his typical position, Neves started as the central defender in Jorge Jesus’ back three, orchestrating play from a deeper role.

Within the tournament, Neves created the three most chances (12), the sixth most big chances created (4), and the fifth most accurate crosses (10). Playing at the back, the Portugal international also thrived on the defensive end, averaging. 2.44 duels won, 4.31 recoveries and 0.75 interceptions per 90.

The former Wolves man had a fantastic tournament, deservedly earning himself a spot in this list.

11 - @Inter_en's Nicolò Barella has created 11 chances at the FIFA Club World Cup, two more than any other player at the competition. Catalyst. pic.twitter.com/BAWf9P0sWr

— OptaPlay (@OptaPlay) June 26, 2025

10. Nicolo Barella

A superb midfielder, Nicolo Barella has quickly developed a reputation for being one of the world’s best men in the middle. Shaping Inter Milan’s play, Barella began the tournament superbly, creating the most chances in their opening match against Monterrey before registering an assist in the Italian’s 2-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds.

The Italian outfit would advance through the group stages. However, Inter were disappointingly knocked out by Fluminense in the Round of 16. Despite a poor tournament from his team, Barella impressed, creating the second most chances from open-play in the Club World Cup (11).

Barella is an outstanding player, who deserves to sneak into this list but he cannot be placed any higher due to the small sample size of Inter at the tournament and the success of other players.