01/03/2024 14:15hs.
Lionel Messi y Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Perhaps the greatest rivalry in sports history. Nothing to envy of Federer vs. Nadal, Magic Johnson vs. Bird, Ayrton Senna vs. Alain Prost, or Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier. But the longevity of the feud and the teams they were a part of have taken versus to another level. Therefore, with one in the United States and another in Saudi Arabia, and As time went by as an executioner, he always fantasized about the possibility of putting them face to face again.
How could Messi and Cristiano cross paths in the Club World Cup?
FIFA has once again clarified the qualification criteria for the Club World Cup 2025 which will be held in the United States, between June 15 and July 13. The top club tournament, which will have 32 teams for the first time in history, could be the scene of a confrontation between Messi and Cristiano. However, the participation of both players is not yet assured by any means.
There are already 19 teams qualified for the tournament: 8 from UEFA, 3 from Conmebol, 3 from Concacaf, 2 from CAF, 2 from AFC and 1 from OFC. There are 13 places left to be defined: 4 from Europe, 3 from South America, 2 from Africa, 2 from Asia, 1 from Concacaf and 1 from the United States (host). It is worth mentioning that each federation has its own classification criteria for the contest.between the continental champions and the ranking recently published by FIFA.
What chances does Messi have of playing in the Club World Cup? The Argentine star has two routes: win the Champions Cup of Concacaf with Inter Miami (will face Nashville in the round of 8) or obtain the host country quota awarded by Major League Soccer. Although the North American organization has not yet defined the way, it is stipulated that it will be as is the current format: the champion of the local league has the right to play it. The problem is, the 2023 champion? The 2024 champion?
What chances does Cristiano Ronaldo have of playing in the Club World Cup?. The first and obvious one is win the Asian Champions League with Al-Nassr (they will face Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the 4th finals). The second, and more complicated, is to get involved like the best team in the AFC according to the ranking of coefficients. At the moment, the Knights of Najd are 5th, with 58 points, 13 behind Ulsan, the last to qualify.
The format of the tournament will be similar to that of the World Cups, until Qatar 2022. The 32 participating teams will be distributed into eight groups of four, where each team will face the other three in unique matches. The top two teams in each group will advance to the round of 16. From this stage, the 16 best teams will face each other in direct elimination matches, also known as “single match”, until reaching the grand final of the tournament. Therefore, Both Leo and CR7, being in different confederations, could face each other in the group stage or in the mata-mata.
The last time of Messi and Cristiano, in the friendly between PSG and the Riyadh team. (AFP)
The 18 teams already classified for the Club Super World Cup
- Palmeiras (Brazil)*
- Flamengo (Brazil)*
- Fluminense (Brazil)*
- Chelsea (England)*
- Real Madrid (Spain)*
- Manchester City (Inglaterra)*
- Bayern Munich (Germany)
- PSG (France)
- Inter Milan (Italy)
- Porto, Portugal)
- Benfica (Portugal)
- Rayados de Monterrey (Mexico)*
- Seattle Sounders (United States)*
- Club León (Mexico)*
- Al Ahly (Egypt)*
- Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)*
- Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)*
- Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)*
*Champions of their respective continental competitions in the period between 2021 and 2023
Julián’s Manchester City and Fluminense, finalists in the last Club World Cup, already have their place in the United States 2025. (AFP)
The 12 who would be entering the Club Super World Cup
- Boca (Argentina)
- River (Argentina)
- Olimpia (Paraguay)
- Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
- Atlético de Madrid (Spain)
- Juventus (Italy)
- Salzburg (Austria)
- Philadelphia Union (United States)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Esperance Sportive (Tunisia)
- Jeonbuk Motors (South Korea)
- Ulsan (South Korea)
River and Boca, with chances of getting into the Club Super World Cup. (FTP Clarín. Maxi Failla)
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2024-03-01 17:29:52
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