Club World Cup Best XI

By Melody Zekey Pand

Chelsea has emerged victorious as the Club World Cup Champions, and they did so with remarkable ease.

This prestigious tournament showcased a number of breakout stars, including Igo Jesus from Botafogo, Gonzalo Garcia, a talented La Fabrica graduate now with Real Madrid 1st team, Chelsea’s newest signing Joao Pedro, and Al Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo, among others. With the competition now concluded, it’s time to highlight the Best XI from the FIFA Club World Cup. StarTimes Sports Editor made this pick based on the overall performance during the tournament.
In goal, we have Chelsea’s own Robert Sanchez, who delivered an outstanding performance throughout the tournament. He achieved three clean sheets, and during the final, he successfully thwarted shots from formidable players like Doue and Dembele, earning him the Best Goalkeeper award.
On the right side of the defense, we have Achraf Hakimi, who has experienced phenomenal growth since joining PSG in 2021. His exceptional strength, speed, and footwork have significantly enhanced PSG’s attacking and defensive capabilities. Partnering with him is Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, who has regained his confidence on the pitch after his pivotal role in winning the EURO 2024 as a starter last year.
At the heart of the defense, we find Marquinhos, a seasoned leader noe at 31 years of age. His experience and leadership have been invaluable in guiding PSG’s younger defenders, helping them maintain their composure against formidable opponents and contributing to the team’s success across all competitions.

Moving into the midfield, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz, all from PSGvand Reece James make our lineup. The midfielders from PSG showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, particularly in the knockout stages. Reece James, despite battling injuries, has made a significant impact since his return. He has excelled in both right-back and defensive midfielder roles, demonstrating his exceptional talent, including a stunning free-kick that found the back of the net, reinforcing his reputation as one of the Premier League’s top right-backs.
Up front, we have the standout PSG forward Desire Doue, who was named the Best young player of the tournament. Alongside him is Real Madrid’s breakout star Gonzalo Garcia, who seized his opportunity following Kylian Mbappe’s illness raising questions on how Alonso will play him with Mbappe available. Garcia scored an impressive four goals, earning him the Golden Boot for the tournament. Completing the Best XI is Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who shone brightly in the final match with a brace and an assist. His remarkable performance earned him the MVP title for the final and the prestigious Golden Ball award as the tournament’s Best Player.
Congratulations to Chelsea for securing the title of world champions, and to all the players who showcased their extraordinary talent during this thrilling competition!