In a couple of days, the world’s finest clubs will meet in Japan to battle it out for the coveted title of the best club in the world. The teams that make up this years challengers include:
Al-Sadd Club, Auckland City FC, Club de Futbol Monterrey, Esperance Spotive De Tunis, FC Barcelona and Santos
Brazilian club Santos released it list of players who will feature in the competition with both Ganso and Neymar making the cut. It will be the first time that Neymar and Messi will come face to face in what is expected to be a showdown between 2 of the best players in the world.
The pressure is of course on Neymar as he has to prove that he can also perform on the world stage. A good performance from the teen star could also fuel transfer talks and hasten his way out of the Brazilian League.
Neymar who was recently named the best player in the Brazilian Libertadores has revelead that he is looking to make history in the tournament. In an interview with FIFA he was quoted as saying that Messi is a player who he greatly admires.
“Messi’s a guy who’s already made history and will achieve a lot more yet. I’m just starting out and I’ve a lot to do to get to his level.”
He also paid glowing tribute to Barcelona
“Who doesn’t admire Barcelona?”
“They sowed the seeds a long time back and now they’re reaping the reward. They deserve all the praise they get for the joy they’ve given to the fans and to all the people who like to see good football, which includes me.”
Neymar is the only South American player to feature in this year’s FIFA Ballon D’or shortlist an indication that the youngster is on the right track with his career.
The tournament will begin on the 8th of December and run until the 18 with the host cities being Yokohama and Toyota. Which player do you think will come out on top? Leave a comment below. We would like to here from you.
Photo Credit © Fotografo Teofilo Pereira
