One of Manchester City’s legendary figures has voiced his strong support for the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City squad will take part in the much-discussed tournament in the United States next summer, having earned their spot by winning the UEFA Champions League in 2023. City secured the FIFA Club World Cup title for the first time in December 2023 in Saudi Arabia, making them the last team to win before the competition’s format changes and expands for the U.S. edition.
While many are excited about this newly expanded global competition, others have voiced concerns over the impact on players and clubs, with the tournament set to begin just weeks after the conclusion of the European season.
Speaking on the tournament, Sergio Aguero expressed high hopes, calling it “an amazing tournament.” Aguero, previewing the event that will feature his former club and Premier League champions Manchester City, said: “Firstly, it is great fun to watch the best teams playing in one place, competing against each other, while giving other regions the chance to compete against European sides.”
Aguero went on to say, “I think that it will be beautiful for both spectators and for the players themselves. The teams are performing very well, and whenever they play those matches, they end up being very fun to watch.”
On the topic of player fatigue, which has sparked debate given the demanding football calendar, Aguero offered a positive outlook: “I believe it won’t be a problem for the players, as they are used to competing in World Cups, the Copa América, the Euros or the CONCACAF [Gold Cup]. They are prepared and used to pre-seasons… This is something new, similar to representing your country in a FIFA World Cup.”
Aguero further added, “It’s something new that every player will want to win… I think they will focus on becoming the first team to win this tournament.”
The Argentine icon concluded, “I think it will be an amazing tournament, tightly contested between the big teams, as it is always great to be a pioneer, to be the Club World Cup champion, as well as wearing the badge to show that you are the reigning champion.”
Pep Guardiola has openly criticized the tournament’s expansion, highlighting the strain on teams like City, which could face a near 70-game season—similar to the NBA schedule. “Maybe we go to the [FIFA Club] World Cup, arriving in the last stages of competitions and we’re going to play almost 70 games! 70 games is like NBA, but in the NBA they have four months’ holidays, and we have three weeks,” Guardiola pointed out.
Meanwhile, the Club World Cup has also become a potential comeback target for Rodri, who continues to recover from a double knee injury, hoping to make his return by next summer’s competition as he works toward full fitness.
