A mid-summer in the United States will set the stage for an extraordinary sight: a constellation of aging superstars gracing the revamped 2025 FIFA Club . These names have defined an era of football, many of them in the twilight of glittering careers. They’ve won everything from Champions Leagues to World Cups, and now they converge one more time — some chasing a final triumph, others simply adding a coda to their story.

The tournament’s expanded format brings together 32 clubs from every corner of the globe, and with it comes a unique chance to witness the game’s elder statesmen competing on a world stage together.

Era-defining talents on show

10. Koke, Atlético’s loyal general

At 33, Koke remains the beating heart of Atlético Madrid. A one-club man for 16 years, the midfield general has lifted La Liga titles and Europa Leagues while closing in on 700 appearances. This Club World Cup could be his last act in rojiblanco — a final chance to captain Atléti against the world’s best.

Even as his role has shifted this season, Koke’s leadership and intensity haven’t dimmed, and he’ll relish one more battle on behalf of the club he’s called home since boyhood.

9. Edinson Cavani, the relentless marksman

Age hasn’t tamed Edinson Cavani. Now 38 and spearheading , the Uruguayan striker still strikes fear in defenders with his intelligent movement and predatory finishing. A decade after conquering Europe with Napoli and PSG, “El Matador” is chasing Boca’s long-awaited global glory.

For Cavani, who famously said, “The goal is always the highest… every tournament they play, they must win,” this summer is about fulfilling that credo. Don’t be surprised if his hunger for goals and glory produces magic under the Miami night sky.

8. Thiago Silva, evergreen defensive rock

Few defenders in history boast a résumé like Thiago Silva’s. The Brazilian center-back will be 40 when he leads Fluminense into battle, coming full circle to his first club after illustrious chapters at AC Milan, PSG, and Chelsea. An ageless reader of the game, Silva captained Brazil through two World Cups and clinched a Champions League in his “second youth” at Chelsea.

Now back home, he lends his vast experience to the Copa Libertadores champions. His mere presence in the back line inspires teammates — proof that class is permanent as he marshals one more tournament campaign.

7. Ángel Di María, the clutch performer

Back where it all began at Benfica, Ángel Di María embraces a swansong rich with sentiment. At 37, the Argentine winger still delivers flashes of the genius that made him a star at Real Madrid and a hero for . Di María’s knack for the big occasion is legendary — from a Champions League final man-of-the-match performance to a goal in Argentina’s World Cup triumph. His second stint in Lisbon has been a triumphant encore, and he’ll be dreaming of one last masterpiece on the American stage. When the pressure rises, expect Di María’s class and cunning left foot to shine through in crucial moments.

6. Sergio Ramos, the warrior’s last stand

Sergio Ramos brings unique gravity to the field. At 39, Spain’s most-capped player is not just showing up at the FIFA — he is coming to win. After a career built on clutch goals, bruising tackles, and relentless leadership at Real Madrid, Ramos joined Monterrey earlier this year, drawn by the challenge of lifting silverware in Mexico.

His move was no retirement tour. Ramos immediately brought steel to Rayados’ backline, the same qualities that helped him win four Champions League titles and a World Cup. Wearing No. 93, a nod to his unforgettable stoppage-time header in the 2014 final, Ramos enters this tournament not as a nostalgic figure, but as a competitor still chasing victory. With Monterrey a potential dark horse, Ramos’ fiery spirit and veteran know-how could turn tight matches their way, just as he has done so many times.

5. Thomas Müller, Bayern’s jester king

After 25 years with Bayern Munich, Thomas Müller is set to bid adieu to the only club he’s ever known. The 35-year-old embodiment of “Mia San Mia” has 12 Bundesliga titles and two European crowns while playing with a wink and a grin.

Müller’s game has never been about speed or flash — it’s about instinct, timing, and an uncanny football IQ that coined a new term (“Raumdeuter,” the space interpreter). As his minutes waned in Bavaria, Müller made it clear he wants to go out lifting more silverware. This Club World Cup, he’ll chase one last honor with Bayern, his every clever run and witty celebration a reminder that few have enjoyed the ride as much as he has.

4. Luis Suárez, the relentless predator

38 Luis Suárez remains a formidable force leading Inter Miami’s attack. Since joining the club in December 2023, Suárez has demonstrated his enduring prowess, becoming the team’s top scorer in the 2024 season with 25 goals across all competitions. Suárez’s impact was immediate; he debuted in February 2024, and by March, he had already notched multiple goals and assists, earning accolades such as MLS Player of the Month.

His partnership with Lionel Messi rekindles their Barcelona synergy, adding a potent edge to Miami’s frontline. Despite a recent goal drought, Suárez’s experience and tenacity make him a critical asset as Inter Miami prepares for their inaugural Club World Cup appearance. His leadership and goal-scoring instincts will be vital as the team faces top international clubs on home soil.

3. Sergio Busquets, the quiet catalyst

His style is understated, but Sergio Busquets’ legacy is immense. The Spanish midfielder, 37 by tournament’s end, is widely hailed as one of the finest defensive midfielders ever. At Barcelona, he was the unseen engine behind three Champions League titles and Spain’s 2010 World Cup win.

Now in Fort Lauderdale, he’s the metronome for Inter Miami, bringing order and calm to a frantic league. Busquets doesn’t do flashy — he intercepts a pass, turns away from trouble with a balletic swivel, and sets his team moving forward. Reunited with Messi in Miami, he’ll hope their telepathic connection can conjure one more trophy. If this is Busquets’ final bow, expect him to exit as he played: with quiet dignity and a winner’s poise.

2. Luka Modrić, defying the years

Even at 39, Luka Modrić still dominates midfields with elegance. Real Madrid’s Croatian maestro seems unaffected by time — his touch and vision as sublime as ever. Modrić has collected five Champions League titles and the 2018 Ballon d’Or in a career that rose from war-torn beginnings to the pinnacle of world football. He famously quipped that “I’d like to keep playing forever”, and watching him glide across the pitch, you almost believe he could.

Modrić will aim to guide the 14-time European champions to yet another piece of silverware in what might be his Real Madrid swansong. Don’t count against him doing just that — his right foot and football brain remain an orchestra in perfect sync, conducting Real’s play one last time.

1. Lionel Messi, the eternal icon

Lionel Messi, the Argentine legend whose exploits hardly need introduction, is topping this list. At 38, with eighth Ballon d’Or and a storybook World Cup win, Messi has chosen to write an unexpected new chapter in Miami. The Club World Cup allows him to translate his magic to yet another stage, leading a young MLS club against the elite teams he used to torment in Europe.

Inter Miami’s captain has been inspired, scoring and assisting as if the years in his legs were a minor footnote. Ever the competitor, Messi isn’t just here for a cameo; as he told Argentine media, “We also have a difficult group, and we’re going to fight… We’re going to compete”. His very presence elevates this tournament’s profile, and every time he weaves through defenders or rifles a left-footed shot, fans in the stands and around the world will feel privileged to watch the master at work — perhaps for the final time on a global club stage.