Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Palmeiras' Estevao Willian and those who have the most to prove at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

It's fair to say Vini hasn't performed at the level expected of him over the past year. He unexpectedly fell to second place at the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards and from there? It was a slow fall off that resulted in a trophyless season for the Brazil star for Los Blancos.

What's unfair, is to say he's been poor, he hit 20 goal-contributions in La Liga, and 11 in 12 in the Champions League this season, but he didn't fit role of the star of Real Madrid that's long been commanded from him. At the CWC this summer, Real Madrid will have title expectations, and Vini will play more than a major role in those aspirations. Alongside Kylian Mbappe, he will be expected to help them compete for a championship trophy.

Cole Palmer hasn't enjoyed himself as much on the pitch with Chelsea during the latter half of the English clubs' campaign in the Premier League. The breakout star of the 2023-24 season for the Blues, the 23-year-old suffered an 18-game goalless drought from January to May this year - and saw a relative slump in productivity as a result. Chelsea have also been in a relative slump, though. The Blues are trophyless dating back to their 2021 UEFA Champions League title, and although they're playing for a Conference League title in a few weeks time, they haven't played at the level that fans are used to seeing them at in recent years.

At the Club World Cup this summer, Palmer will be tasked with being the face of the club in the tournament, and the centerfold of attacking productivity within the team. There will be high expectations for the London-based club, and Palmer himself, who needs a big tournament following a tough stretch of form to close out the Premier League season.

Inter Miami's 2024 MLS playoff run was nothing short of an disaster. The No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the overall favorite to lift MLS Cup, they were eliminated by Atlanta United in Round 1 of their Best-of-3 series against the Five Stripes. Fast forward to 2025, and the Herons first trophy to play for this season is already out of their grasp, following their semifinal elimination from the CONCACAF Champions Cup by the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Messi - an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner - was brought in to lead them in moments like those. And although the supporting cast needs to play a role as well, he's looked at as the face of those respective tournament exits. The Club World Cup, meanwhile, offers the Argentine a chance at redemption over the matter.

Inter Miami were handed the luck of the draw with their group, landing in Group A with Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly FC. There's a realistic path to the knockout round for the Herons. They must capitalize on the opportunity, and Messi will be expected to lead the charge.

Haaland's goalscoring output has down down for the second-consecutive season for Manchester City in the Premier League. In the 2022-23 season, he scored 36 goals, and in the 2023-24 season, he bagged 27. This season has seen him score 21 times. However, it's important to note he was sidelined for seven weeks, and as a result, wasn't able to find consistency during the spring campaign.

For a striker of his caliber, and with his previous output taken into context, he's still fallen below the standard expected of him this season. It's not just him, though. The reigning champions fell out of contention for the Premier League title around the flip of the calendar year following a rough spell of form - allowing Liverpool to firmly put their feet forward and eventually claim the domestic league title.

Come this summer, Haaland will need to show that he still has what it takes to be the best in the world in his spot, while City will look to reclaim their throne atop the Club World Cup podium as they enter the fray as the reigning champions following their 2023 triumph in the competition.

Harry Kane FINALLY won a trophy, the Bundesliga title, and boy - did he deserve it. It was a long time coming for the England star, who has fought for his spot on the top of the podium for over a decade now across his time with Tottenham and the national team. One year with Bayern Munich did the trick, though. It's also only one trophy - the club had three to play for at the start of the calendar year - meaning, they fell short in the grand scheme of things.

So, what's next?

Time for No. 2. And it will be up to Kane to step up and show the world that he has what it takes to lead the German outfit to more than just a domestic league title. He's fallen short in every other "competition-style" tournament across his career for both club and country - but with momentum at this side - he can look to shift the tides in the U.S. this summer.

Being labeled the "next Neymar," is a lot of weight to bare. Neymar, now with Santos, is the heart and soul of the Selecao, and during his Barcelona days, he was what instilled belief in the country's national team. For 18-year-old Estevao, who is set to permanently join Chelsea after the competition in a $71M move, this is the tournament where the world will really get a first glimpse into what makes him worthy of that label.

He's a special talent. Already a name with the senior national team, he's shown over the past year at Palmeiras that he has all the traits and skills to become a genuine world-class footballer. However, beyond his time with the Selecao over the past few months, he's never played against a club outside of Brazil at the professional level. The Club World Cup is his chance to break out and show the world that he's more than hype, more than a label.

Mitrovic was heavily criticized when he left English Premier League side Fulham for Saudi Arabain club Al-Hilal - but the Serbia international has absolutely flourished with the club since joining them. This summer, he is their marquee player to watch at the tournament. Since joining them ahead of the 2023-24 season, he's scored 44 regular season goals in 46 regular season starts, while bagging six assists as well.

For the 30-year-old, it's a simple scenario, really: prove everyone wrong.

Weah's had an up-and-down year for the Bianconeri. He's played a handful of positions on both sides of the pitch at wingback, winger and even as a fullback early on. He expressed versatility, which is a trait not all footballers have, but he never excelled anywhere on the pitch, either. At some point, he became a reliable bandaid - and that's not a solution for him or Juventus.

This summer, he needs to figure out where he belongs with the Italian side. There were rumors that Everton were interested in his services in January, but nothing came from it - and he's continued to fight for his spot in Turin instead. A tournament like the Club World Cup is a stage for him to really show that he has what it takes to be a regular selection in a position where he does excel: on the wing.

Weah needs to fight for a spot in the XI first and foremost, but he has a chance to show he's their man in the final-third as well - it's a can't miss opportunity for the American.

Gittens, who had a breakout 2024-25 season with Borussia Dortmund is an interesting player to watch this summer at the Club World Cup. He's attracting the attention of clubs from all over Europe with a potential transfer away from BVB, with both Chelsea and Arsenal reportedly interested in his services.

At 20-years-old, he's being touted as the next English star to come from the Bundesliga side - following in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Bellingham - but Gittens is also inexperienced. He's yet to make his senior debut for the Three Lions, and has never played in an international tournament of this capacity before. If he wants to take the next step in his budding career, he needs to take advantage of a chance to showcase his skills against the world's best. A dream transfer come come as a result.

There is ZERO doubt that Dembele was the best player in all of France during the 2024-25 season. He might have a case for being the best in Europe and still has a Champions League title to play for even. Yet, for some reason, his previous struggles at Barcelona prior to his move to Paris are still overshadowing his out-of-this world performances for the Ligue 1 champions this season.

He's performed at such a high level that there are genuine calls for his name to be in the running for the 2025 Ballon d'Or award - and realistically? Why not? And the Club World Cup could potentially boost his chances.

Lead PSG to a tournament title, fight for the Golden Boot, and show the world that your 2024-25 season wasn't a fluke. The Parisian club has what it takes to compete for a Club World Cup title - and Dembele? He can absolutely lead them there.

It's safe to say Jesus Ferreira's trade to the Sounders ahead of the 2025 MLS season has not paid off - yet. The U.S. international and former FC Dallas star switched Texas for the Pacific Northwest ahead of the campaign, but after 11 appearances and eight starts with Seattle to begin the season, he's yet to score in MLS action for the Rave Green.

The 24-year-old has really yet to make an impact with his new club, but the Club World Cup would be the perfect opportunity for him to do so. In a tournament where his club are viewed as immense underdogs, a breakout performance could do wonders for anyone who is already doubting him after his cross-country move to the Pacific Northwest.

Bellingham dropped off for Real Madrid, significantly, during the 2024-25 campaign. A third-place finisher at the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards, his current campaign won't have him sniffing the top 20 this October. Its not entirely his fault, but he has taken a step back from his breakout season with Los Blancos. He hasn't reached double-digits in goals or assists in La Liga this season, and with two matches left in his domestic campaign, has 10 goals less than his 19-tally from 2023-24 in regular season play.

All signs point to Madrid having a new coach for the tournament, too, so there will be expectations that the Englishman sets out to impress his new boss, as well. Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid have confirmed they are parting ways at the end of the season, and whoever takes over for the Italian manager, will look to get the best out of Bellingham in the competition, too.

Nicolas Jackson's 2024-25 season in the Premier League is already over. He will be available for selection in the UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis, but after receiving a straight red card last weekend against Newcastle United for violent conduct, he is suspended for the remainder of the campaign and the first game of the 2025-26 Premier League season as well. It's a sending off that could have harsh implications on the club as it is battling to secure a return to Champions League with a top-five finish in the Premier League.

Before the months-long wait to begin the 2025-26 campaign begins, Jackson has a chance at redemption at the Club World Cup - and he must seize it. The Senegal international is the starting striker for the club, but the Bluesare reportedly entering the market for competition in the position come the start of the transfer window. The 23-year-old needs to show manager Enzo Maresca why he can trust him next season at the No. 9 position, while regaining the faith of his teammates after his costly red card against the Magpies.