Mamelodi Sundowns dream of rubbing shoulders with the best teams in the globe might not be realized after Real Madrid joined a bunch of clubs that are against the expanded 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.
The first edition has been scheduled to be played next year from June 15 to July 13 across four United States cities.
It is a competition that some top teams and organizations are not thrilled to be included in since they feel Fifa has not objectively thought through it before execution. In a warning letter to Fifa, FifPro, and World League Organisations argued the tournament is meant to prioritize commercial interests over the players' welfare and the integrity of the sport.
Ancelotti latest to declare Real Madrid not interested in playing Club World Cup
Recently crowned Uefa Champions League champions Real Madrid, through their manager Carlo Ancelotti, claimed the team is not interested owing to unconvincing financial gains. The celebrated Italian tactician further alluded that some top clubs are considering snubbing the competition for the same reason.
“Fifa forgets that the clubs and players will not participate in that tournament,” Ancelotti told Il Giornale in a recent interview.
“A single Real Madrid match is worth [R409 million] and they want to give us that money for the entire competition. Negative.”
Manchester City, Chelsea, and PSG are some of the clubs that have raised their concerns about the competition, giving no assurances that they will be part and parcel of the competitors.
What does this mean for Rhulani Mokwena's Masandawana and South Africa at large?
By qualifying for the Fifa Club World Cup, the Brazilians are set to pocket R1 billion which will go a long way to shaping the club's future.
Sundowns have a massive appetite when it comes to signing quality players as witnessed in recent transfer windows. The financial windfall means the team can buy individuals that can help them maintain their dominance in the Premier Soccer League and even go an extra mile to secure their second star as far as Caf Champions League is concerned.
Some Bafana players at Sundowns – like Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Khuliso Mudau, have attracted interest from abroad owing to their performances for the club and country.
At the Fifa World Cup, scouts will have first-hand experience watching those players and others at the club. If they make a move to better leagues abroad, it is Bafana Bafana that will benefit.
