Players Europe-Bound After Club World Cup Showcase

The FIFA Club World Cup has long been a stage for global football’s finest to collide, but for players outside Europe’s top leagues, it also serves as a rare shop window. The 2025 edition proved no different. As continental champions went head-to-head, a host of emerging and underrated talents seized the moment to elevate their profiles — not just with flashy moments, but with consistent, high-level performances against elite opposition.

For clubs across Europe, especially those seeking value beyond inflated domestic markets, the tournament offered a glimpse into players ready to make the jump. With scouts watching closely, several stars from South America, Asia, and the Middle East left a lasting impression — and have earned transfers, or are now on the radar for summer moves.

Here, we break down the standout names tipped for a European switch following standout campaigns at the Club World Cup.

Jhon Arias (Fluminense, Colombia)

Jhon Arias cemented his reputation as the heartbeat of Fluminense’s creative engine during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Over six fixtures, he registered one goal and one assist, but it was his work off the ball and his vision that captured attention — he generated 18 chances, the most of any player in the tournament, while leading his side in touches per 90 (68.2) and possessions won per 90 (4.3). In the course of the 2024 Serie A season, Arias delivered 12 assists in 43 matches and collected a career total of 47 goals and 55 assists for Fluminense. His exceptional form became impossible to ignore, leading Wolves to agree on a £15–17 million transfer to bring him to the Premier League. The club clearly valued his ability to drive creativity from wide and central areas, paired with his defensive discipline under Renato Gaúcho’s high-intensity system.

🚨🟠 Jhon Arias, set for medical at Wolves in the next days as deal is 100% agreed for €21m package.

Fluminense will also have 10% sell-on clause, deal agreed days ago and now also sealed.

Here we go, confirmed. ✅🐺 pic.twitter.com/7DcJc6wvus

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2025

Richard Ríos (Palmeiras, Columbia)

Richard Ríos delivered consistently high-level performances at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, notably in Palmeiras’ tightly contested round-of-16 match against Botafogo. In that fixture, he completed 83% of his passes, won 10 of 15 duels, made key interceptions, and registered a 7.6 match rating — highlighting his ability to influence the game both defensively and in build-up. Ríos has since attracted interest from top European clubs. Initially linked with AS Roma, those negotiations faltered at a valuation of around €30 million. Reports now suggest Benfica are willing to meet Palmeiras’ asking price, with the player reportedly agreeing personal terms. At 25, Ríos presents as a well-rounded midfield option — combining technical composure, pressing work-rate, and ball progression — ideally suited for Champions League ambitions.

🚨🦅 Richard Rios to Benfica, here we go! Deal agreed right now with Palmeiras after green light on player side.

Benfica director Rui Pedro Braz closed the agreement with mission in Brazil, price tag met and paid in 3 installments.

Rios will fly to Lisbon next week for medical. pic.twitter.com/TBlKh1lh9G

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2025

Igor Jesus (Botafogo, Brazil)

Igor Jesus emerged as a definitive clutch performer at the Club World Cup. He put Botafogo into the tournament’s knockout stages with a stunning goal against Paris Saint‑Germain in the group stage, earning Player of the Match honours. He then followed it with another match-winner in the round‑of‑16. Across those critical fixtures he featured in nearly 50 duels — including 16 against PSG, winning five aerial contests — and seamlessly linked midfield to attack with intelligent movement and pressing work. During his two seasons at Botafogo, he amassed 17 goals and six assists over 59 appearances, playing a central role in both the Brazilian league and Libertadores triumphs. After his Club World Cup performances, Nottingham Forest secured the 24-year-old on a multi-year deal in a transfer reportedly around £10million — making him the statement signing of their summer window.

Jair Cunha (Botafogo, Brazil)

Jair Cunha made a strong impression at the 2025 Club World Cup with Botafogo, playing all four matches and scoring a crucial header in their opening win over Seattle Sounders. The 20-year-old centre-back also shone in the shock victory over PSG, completing over 90% of his passes and making multiple clearances, tackles, and ball recoveries.

His performances across the tournament — alongside consistent form in the Brazilian top flight — earned him a £10.4 million move to Nottingham Forest in July. Despite only joining Botafogo earlier in the year from Santos, Jair’s rapid rise and physical presence convinced Forest to act quickly. He joins fellow Botafogo teammate Igor Jesus at the City Ground, with both expected to bolster Forest’s squad depth ahead of their European campaign.

🇧🇷✨ Nottingham Forest's new summer signings from Botafogo: Igor Jesus (24) and Jair Cunha (20)! 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/hPFEG67iuA

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 19, 2025

Estêvão Willian (Palmeiras, Brazil)

Estêvão Willian booked his final competitive appearances for Palmeiras in spectacular fashion before completing his long-awaited transfer to Chelsea. In the 2024 Brasileiro, he scored 13 goals and registered 9 assists across 31 league games, earning recognition as both Best Young Player and Best Attacker in the competition. His move to Chelsea —valued at an initial €34 million plus potential add-ons rising to €65 million — was agreed in mid-2024 and signed to activate upon his 18th birthday. In the 2025 Club World Cup, Estêvão played all group-stage matches and scored a sensational equaliser in the quarter-final against Chelsea, his future club, from a tight angle—his finish beating Levi Colwill and crashing in off the crossbar. He generated five scoring chances and maintained an 83% pass-completion rate, earning back-to-back Player of the Match awards and demonstrating poise and technical quality even amidst transfer pressures. Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira praised him as a “player who can win games alone,” while Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca called him “a huge talent” prepared for European success.

FROM A NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE ANGLE!

ESTÊVÃO scores a massive goal, first one in the tournament and against the club he's joining!@Palmeiras 1 - @ChelseaFC 1 pic.twitter.com/CQpkWky1K0

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 5, 2025

Wessam Abou Ali (Al Ahly, Egypt)

Wessam Abou Ali delivered one of the most iconic moments of the Club World Cup by scoring a perfect hat-trick —left foot, right foot, and head — in Al Ahly’s 4–4 draw against Porto. This achievement made him the first Asian player ever to do so in any intercontinental club competition. His historic performance earned him the Superior Player of the Match award and global recognition from scouting networks tracking the tournament. Although no official transfer bid has yet emerged, his display secured his place among the most-watched forwards in Europe’s summer recruitment discussions.

⭐️📊 Ahead of the knockout stages, here's our Best XI from Matchday 3 at the Club World Cup.

A lot of these players got on the scoresheet in their respective games - with Savinho, Bastoni, and Deossa’s particularly memorable.

Our top rating goes to Al Ahly's Wessam Abou Ali. pic.twitter.com/Doe9tiWGPL

— FotMob (@FotMob) June 28, 2025

Conclusion

The 2025 Club World Cup served as the ultimate proving ground for standout talents from clubs outside Europe. Jhon Arias turned statistical dominance into a Premier League transfer; Igor Jesus translated two decisive goals into a marquee move to Nottingham Forest; Estêvão balanced remarkable talent with emotional farewells at Palmeiras en route to Chelsea; Wessam Abou Ali made history and raised his stock with one unforgettable game; Salem Al‑Dawsari further solidified his premier status as Asia’s top scorer in the competition’s history; and Richard Rios parlayed his midfield mastery into a big-stage opportunity with Benfica. Each seized a singular moment — creative, clinical or record-breaking — to propel their careers toward Europe’s top leagues.