Real Madrid’s possible opponents at the 2025 Club World Cup

Carlo Ancelotti, the club’s ultimate politician, put a rare foot out of place when the subject of his FIFA Club World Cup 2025 appeared last summer.

Real MadridHis manager surprisingly admitted in an interview that his team would “decline the invitation” for the new competition as the prize money on offer was too small.

The club hastily released an official statement insisting it will do so it is part of the tournament before Ancelotti posted a scathing message on social media claiming his words had “not been interpreted in the way I expected”.

Like it or not, Ancelotti will lead his side into the 32-team event in Miami in June. Madrid, as two-time European champions in the last three years, will be in Pot 1 along with the other top seeds – three others from Europe and four from South America.

However, there is still the potential for some tough games in the group stage of the competition. Here are Madrid’s potential opponents ahead Thursday’s draw to decide all eight teams of four.

Simply pulling random names out of a hat would be too simple for the powers that be at FIFA. Soccer’s world governing body with a deservedly corrupt reputation has openly rigged the upcoming draw to ensure the elite teams from Europe and South America do not meet too early in the competition.

In order to avoid meeting another UEFA heavyweight in the first knockout round after the group stage, Madrid can only face a select number of clubs from Pot 2. This rules out possible clash with ChelseaBorussia Dortmund, Inter or Porto.

Atletico Madrid cannot face their city rivals as the clubs from the same confederation will be kept apart, leaving Madrid with three options. Benfica, Juventus and Red Bull Salzburg.

Salzburg are easily the weakest of this trio, having fallen off the pace in the Champions League and – for the first time since the era of energy drinks began – on the domestic scene.

While a clash with Juventus is a tantalizing historic encounter, Benfica boast the creative power of former Madrid playmaker Angel Di Maria.

The juxtaposition of clubs from different corners of the world is not a new idea. The Intercontinental Cup has been played for more than four decades since the inaugural edition in 1960 saw Real Madrid, as European champions, face then South American champions Peñarol of Uruguay.

Madrid were the joint record winners of this defunct competition, an honor they share with the Argentine giants Boca Juniors. The legendary teams could face each other in the latest iteration of this global affair.

Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal they don’t have the same illustrious international history as Madrid or Boca, but they’ve certainly thrown in enough money to compete with those teams.

Since the summer of 2023, the Riyadh outfit have splashed out more than £390m on the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves and the vague idea of ​​Neymar. Real Madrid have spent less than half but should be favorites against any Pot 3 opponent.

Given the commercial revenue offered by a match involving Lionel Messi, almost every club will want to draw Inter Miami from Pot 4. Real Madrid, however, may want to avoid the Argentine.

Messi has either scored or created 40 goals in 47 appearances for Madrid. THE Barcelona The icon is the most productive player in its history The Classicwith eight more goals than any of the other legendary individuals who have graced this game. Miami have created their own enclave of Barcelona, ​​with Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. directed by Javier Mascherano.

Mexican uniform Patsuka boasts Salomon Rondon. The veteran Venezuelan is one of the two Premier League players who have scored a hat-trick of headers in a single game, but don’t have the same high reputation as Messi (for most).

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