The 2025 Club World Cup, set to be held for the first time in the United States with an expanded format of 32 teams, is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events on the football calendar. But this historic edition will kick off without some of the sport’s most iconic figures—Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal being the most notable omissions, casting a shadow over a tournament filled with promise but missing a few of its biggest stars.

A legend's quiet farewell to international club football

At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo won’t take part in the tournament after Al-Nassr failed to qualify through Asian competitions and finished the season without silverware. Although several qualified teams—River Plate among them—reportedly made offers, the Portuguese star opted not to join any of them. This will mark the first time in two decades that CR7 will not be part of a major international club tournament, quietly closing a glorious chapter in his career.

Lamine Yamal: A rising star left without a stage

Lamine Yamal's absence is a different story. The Barcelona prodigy, just 17 years old, won’t feature in the tournament for reasons unrelated to his form. Despite an outstanding domestic season, Barça failed to accumulate enough UEFA ranking points due to poor performances in past European campaigns. As a result, the newly crowned Euro 2024 champion and recent winner of both the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy will miss a key opportunity to showcase his talent on the global stage.

Other notable absences include Neymar Jr., recently rejoining Santos but still lacking match fitness after his long-term injury; Mohamed Salah, whose club Liverpool failed to qualify via UEFA rankings; and Pedri, also left out due to Barcelona’s underwhelming European results in recent seasons. From global icons to rising stars, many will be watching the tournament from home.

A number of traditional powerhouses will also be absent, including Napoli, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Barcelona. All were impacted by the qualification system, which prioritizes performance over the past four years and limits participation to two clubs per country. Even strong domestic campaigns weren’t enough to secure them a place this time around.

While the tournament will serve as a platform for emerging talents like Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala, Estêvão “Messinho”, and Désiré Doué, its narrative will also be shaped by those not present. The 2025 Club World Cup may usher in a new era for elite football, but it does so without some of the figures who’ve helped define it in recent years.