Club World Cup: Vitinha, Arias, and stars compete for best player award

The 2025 Club World Cup semifinals, which began on Tuesday, July 8, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, highlight a fierce competition for the tournament’s best player award. Stars like Vitinha from PSG, Jhon Arias from Fluminense, and Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid lead the betting odds with decisive performances for their teams. The competition, featuring global football giants, reaches its final stages with thrilling matches like Fluminense vs. Chelsea and PSG vs. Real Madrid. The best player selection, set for July 13 after the final, reflects the high technical level and intensity of the championship. What makes these athletes favorites? Their on-field contributions and impact on their clubs’ campaigns are key factors.

The tournament, in its new 32-team format, has surprised with the quality of matches and the spotlight on players. The best player award, given by FIFA, recognizes individual performance amid star-studded squads. Beyond stats like goals and assists, tactical influence and consistency in crucial moments weigh heavily in the selection.

The candidates for the trophy represent a balance of youth and experience, with names already shining at their clubs and national teams. To understand the favorites, their tournament journeys need analysis:

• Vitinha: The Portuguese midfielder is PSG’s engine, with one goal and two assists in five games.

Ver essa foto no Instagram

Uma publicação compartilhada por Vítor Ferreira (@vitinha)

• Jhon Arias: The Colombian from Fluminense blends technique and leadership, with one goal and one assist.
• Hakimi and Kvaratskhelia: The PSG duo impresses with goals, assists, and decisive plays.
• Bellingham: The young Englishman from Real Madrid is a midfield reference, with one goal and one assist.

Vitinha’s favoritism in PSG’s midfield

Vitinha, 25, has solidified himself as a cornerstone of PSG’s tactical setup under Luis Enrique. His ability to control the game’s tempo, paired with sharp vision, makes him a top contender for the award. During the Club World Cup, the Portuguese contributed to three goals, notably against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, where he led the midfield despite PSG being down to nine players.

The player, with 54 matches in the 2024/25 season, including the Champions League title, shows versatility. He switches between defensive and offensive roles, serving as PSG’s main playmaker. His average of 38.2 accurate long passes per game in the tournament underscores his strategic importance.

Moreover, Vitinha has earned praise for consistency. In five Club World Cup games, he completed 92% of his passes and won 65% of duels, numbers that highlight his impact. The Parisian fans, filling the stands in New Jersey, see the midfielder as the hope for a world title and a deserved individual accolade.

Jhon Arias: The soul of Fluminense’s campaign

At Fluminense, Jhon Arias is more than a player; he’s the symbol of the team’s grit. The 27-year-old Colombian has been the standout in the club’s historic campaign, reaching the semifinals against European giants. His performance against Al-Hilal in the round of 16 was unforgettable: one goal and a display of leadership that secured the Tricolor’s victory.

Arias, with 48 games in the season, has 12 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. In the Club World Cup, his impact goes beyond numbers. He drives the attack and presses opponents, averaging 2.8 tackles per game. His 70% dribble success rate also stands out.

The player shines with his connection to the fans. In interviews, Arias emphasized the pride of representing Brazil and Fluminense globally. His versatility, playing as both a winger and attacking midfielder, makes him a constant threat. Against Chelsea in the semifinal, he’ll be key to challenging the English defense.

Hakimi and Kvaratskhelia: PSG’s offensive strength

PSG doesn’t rely solely on Vitinha. Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan right-back, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian forward, form a duo blending speed, skill, and goal-scoring instinct. Hakimi, with two goals and one assist in five games, is a team pillar. His performance against Bayern, providing key passes for Doué and Dembélé, was a tournament highlight.

Kvaratskhelia, meanwhile, is having a stellar season. With 13 goals in 49 games in 2024/25, the Georgian is PSG’s main attacking weapon. In the Club World Cup, he scored one goal and provided two assists, notably against Atlético Madrid in the group stage, where he was the team’s assist leader with two passes for goals. His dribbling and playmaking make him hard to mark.

The duo has been crucial for PSG’s 2.4 goals-per-game average in the tournament. Together, they create a fluid attack that will test Real Madrid’s defense in the semifinal. Their chemistry, built over the season, is a major asset for the French side.

Bellingham: Real Madrid’s young talent

For Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham carries the Merengue hopes. At 22, the English midfielder is already a leader under Xabi Alonso’s management. In the Club World Cup, Bellingham scored one goal and provided one assist in five games, shining against Pachuca, where he opened the scoring.

Leia Tambem

NASA desvenda segredos do cometa interestelar 3I/Atlas, fascinando a comunidade científica

Myanmar president’s india visit bolsters diplomatic ties amid isolation challenges

Deadly Russian missile and drone attacks hit Kyiv and Dnipro, claiming at least 10 lives

His influence extends beyond stats. With an 88% pass completion rate and 3.2 interceptions per game, Bellingham is the brain of Real Madrid’s midfield. He combines physicality with refined technique, excelling in both playmaking and finishing.

Despite Real Madrid’s uneven 2024/25 season without titles, Bellingham maintains individual brilliance. His ability to decide big games, like the 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals, keeps him in the award race.

How the award is decided

The Club World Cup best player is chosen by FIFA’s technical committee, evaluating criteria such as:

• Direct goal contributions (goals and assists).
• Tactical impact on team performance.
• Consistency throughout the tournament.
• Leadership and influence in decisive moments.

The winner’s announcement follows the final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium. Beyond the individual trophy, the winner gains global spotlight, potentially boosting their career and market value.

Other names that could surprise

Beyond the favorites, other players have a shot at stealing the show. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, with two goals in the tournament, is a threat. At Fluminense, Keno and Cano also stand out with solid performances. PSG’s Désiré Doué, only 19, impresses with maturity, having scored twice in the Champions League final.

These athletes, though less in the spotlight, could shine in the semifinals and final, influencing the committee’s choice. The tournament’s unpredictability, with close games and tight scores, leaves room for surprises.

The weight of the semifinals in the race

The semifinals, featuring Fluminense vs. Chelsea and PSG vs. Real Madrid, will be crucial for determining the best player. A goal, assist, or standout performance in these matches could shift the odds. For instance, Arias has a chance to shine against Chelsea’s defense, while Vitinha and Bellingham will face off directly in the PSG vs. Real Madrid clash.

The intensity of these matches, broadcast live by Globo, SporTV, CazéTV, and DAZN, boosts the players’ visibility. Every pass, dribble, and goal will be watched by millions worldwide, raising the stakes for the candidates.

The award’s global significance

The Club World Cup best player title is more than individual recognition. It reflects football’s evolution, with players from diverse nationalities and styles vying for the spotlight. The award also elevates the tournament, which gained prestige in 2025 with its new format.

For clubs, having a player win is a coup. For Fluminense, Arias’ potential victory would be a milestone for Brazilian football. For PSG, the trophy would reinforce European dominance. Real Madrid aims to uphold its tradition of producing stars.

What to expect from the final

The final, set for July 13, will be the ultimate stage for the award candidates. Whether Fluminense, Chelsea, PSG, or Real Madrid, the champion is likely to produce the best player. The tournament’s history shows that decisive performances in the final carry weight, as seen with Lionel Messi in past editions.

The world’s eyes will be on MetLife Stadium, where the tournament’s star will be crowned. Until then, Vitinha, Arias, Bellingham, and others have the mission to shine on the pitch and claim not just the title but also individual glory.