Kings of Europe in search of world glory
READ | Final third ability keeping Europe ahead as gap narrows: Wenger
Luis Enrique's PSG are the favourites after their dominant display against Real Madrid, while Enzo Maresca's Chelsea earned a solid win over Fluminense to book their spot in the decider. With global bragging rights on the line, we break down the clash with football analyst Oma Akatugba, spoke to eNCA.
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IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Chelsea's Club World Cup win was a victory for PR, not football
Chelsea won the Fifa Club World Cup this past Sunday. Photo: AFP Image: AFP To be honest, few would have been surprised to learn that the real Fifa Club World Cup trophy — designed by Tiffany & Co — is destined to remain in the White House in perpetuity. It's the kind of garish Americana that fits neatly with the current president's brand: shiny, performative, and tailor-made for a press conference. Another glittering bauble to be paraded as proof of greatness — regardless of who actually earned it on the pitch. 'I said, 'When are you going to pick up the trophy?'' Trump remarked earlier this week, while showing it off at the White House. 'And (Fifa) said, 'We're never going to pick it up. You can have it forever in the Oval Office. We're making a new one.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'And they actually made a new one,' he added. 'So, that was quite exciting, but it is in the Oval right now.' So, after all that effort — seven matches, difficult conditions, the fatigue of a draining season — the eventual winners, Chelsea, didn't even get to take home the real McCoy. Instead, some replica will sit in the trophy cabinet at Cobham. Moreover, they didn't even get to enjoy their moment properly after beating PSG 3–0. Trump gate-crashed the celebration, too. These moments kind of encapsulate the problems with the Club World Cup for me. It's a political statement — not so much for the US (although they certainly profited from it), but for Fifa. It was created to satisfy the vanity of that organisation, to strong-arm the international association's members into participating. According to reports the official Fifa Club World Cup trophy will remain in the White House. Photo: AFP Image: AFP They dangled prestige, a shedload of money and the title of 'world champions', but much like the replica trophy, it still means very little. Chelsea will not — at least not in this generation — look back on winning the competition as a defining moment in their history. That's not to say that, in 100 years' time, it won't carry some aura, but right now it feels all very manufactured. From a purely commercial standpoint, you can't argue with it. Chelsea are R20 billion richer, their American owners have a new PR avenue to explore, complete with catchphrases to inspire the existing fanbase, while trying to court new supporters in the US and Asia. And a trophy is still a trophy. But, had they lost, the narrative would have been the usual fallback: 'It was a good experience for this young team. It'll help them grow and prepare for next season.' CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD. — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 13, 2025 I'm a Chelsea fan. On Monday, after winning the cup — if you can call the Voyager-inspired design a cup — I woke up and immediately started riling up my fellow football fans (especially the Liverpool ones). I did so with tongue firmly in cheek, poking and prodding for a reaction. 'Good morning, champs,' I wrote to my fellow Blues supporters, with a knowing smile. I didn't do it because I care deeply about the win (although I am proud of the performance) but rather because of the absurdity of it all. When it comes down to it — was it the tournament a success? It certainly was, in its own peculiar way. Just not in on-field terms. It felt like winning an elongated Community Shield — and I remain far more concerned about the upcoming Premier League and Uefa Champions League. I believe most, if not all, of the clubs that participated — regardless of where they come from — harbour a similar sentiment. Maybe one day the Club World Cup will carry the weight its organisers desperately want it to. But until then, it remains a curious experiment: part sporting contest, part PR stunt — with just enough gloss to convince us it matters, even if we know deep down it doesn't. After all, football has a funny way of turning sideshows into centrepieces.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns outcasts lined up for shock move to Siwelele
Mamelodi Sundowns three side lined stars are being targeted by Siwelele FC, the ambitious new outfit preparing for its first Betway Premiership campaign in 2025/2026 The club, which acquired SuperSport United's top-flight status, has already kicked off training in Johannesburg and is working swiftly to shape a competitive squad. Among the prime targets is Neo Maema, the talented 29-year-old who began his professional journey at Bloemfontein Celtic. Despite his promise, Maema struggled for consistent game time under coach Miguel Cardoso last season. He started just six matches, came off the bench 11 times, and appeared in 29 matchday squads from a possible 54 fixtures. Siwelele believes he could rediscover his form with regular football and the backing of a fresh project. Siwelele have also inquired about Terrence Mashego, another Sundowns player who failed to break into the starting XI consistently. The former Cape Town City left-back played just seven games from the start and made six substitute appearances. Coach Cardoso opted to deploy Divine Lunga and Aubrey Modiba ahead of Mashego, pushing the 28-year-old down the pecking order. Mashego's exclusion from the squad that travelled to the FIFA Club World Cup only intensified speculation about his future. Kegan Johannes, who made a high-profile move from SuperSport United, has found life difficult at Sundowns. The right-back, recovering from injury, managed just two starts and four substitute appearances all season. He remains behind Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Morena in the pecking order. Johannes also missed out on the Club World Cup trip, fuelling rumours that a loan or permanent move to Siwelele could offer him the opportunity to reignite his career. While Siwelele is scouting talent from the Brazilians, several former SuperSport players are heading for the exit. Thulani Hlatshwayo is reportedly set to reunite with Gavin Hunt at Durban City FC. Meanwhile, veteran striker Bradley Grobler has joined Sekhukhune United, and Terrence Dzvukamanja is also set to move on. Interestingly, a few unexpected names have surfaced during Siwelele's pre-season. Jesse Donn, who retired from professional football last year, was seen participating in a training match, possibly hinting at a return. Former SuperSport defender Buhle Mkhwanazi, who exited during the COVID-19 pandemic over vaccine concerns, is also back in the mix, along with ex-Kaizer Chiefs man Kamohelo Mahlatsi and former Pirates midfielder Xola Mlambo, who are both on trial. Will Mamelodi Sundowns allow the trio to join Siwelele? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Real Madrid's Bellingham set to miss 12 weeks after shoulder surgery
Bellingham is set to miss the La Liga visit to face rivals Atletico Madrid in late September. Real Madrid's English midfielder #05 Jude Bellingham reacts at the end of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semifinal football match against France's Paris Saint-Germain at the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey last Wednesday. Photo: ANGELA WEISS / AFP Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to miss up to 12 weeks recovering from a shoulder operation after the Spanish giants said Wednesday he had successfully undergone surgery. 'Our player Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery for a recurrent left shoulder dislocation,' said Real Madrid in a statement. ALSO READ: Alonso looks forward to 'starting from scratch' with Real Madrid 'Bellingham will now begin a period of rehabilitation prior to his return to recovery work.' While Madrid did not specify the expected length of his recovery time, Spanish media have reported it will take around 12 weeks for him to return to action. Bellingham has been struggling with shoulder discomfort after dislocating it in a La Liga match in November 2023, and playing with a brace under his shirt since then. The England midfielder held off on the operation until after Madrid's participation in the Club World Cup this summer, with Xabi Alonso's side reaching the semi-finals. Bellingham is set to miss the La Liga visit to face rivals Atletico Madrid in late September, as well as the club's first two Champions League matches. The 22-year-old midfielder should be back in action by the time Madrid host Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season in late October. 'I've got the point where… I'm fed up with the brace, and having to tug on it and having (other) players tug on it, and it rearranging all the time,' said Bellingham during the Club World Cup. The midfielder will also miss World Cup qualifiers with England against Andorra and Serbia on September 6 and 9 respectively.
