A triumph beyond the scoreboard

They didn’t win a single match, conceded 16 goals, and were knocked out early… but for Auckland City, the 2025 Club World Cup will be unforgettable. The modest semi-professional team from New Zealand is taking home a $3.58 million prize just for participating and one more for the tie against Boca Juniors—a sum that will completely change the club’s history and the lives of its players.

Construction workers, barbers… and heroes

The tournament’s most humble team was made up of players who, outside the pitch, work as bricklayers, barbers, baristas, or P.E. teachers. Most of them had to take time off from their day jobs to represent their country on the world’s biggest stage for clubs. And while they were heavily beaten in both of their matches, they walk away with a massive reward and global recognition.

The biggest prize of their lives

Auckland City leaves the tournament with more money than they’ve ever dreamed of. The amount they'll receive represents the highest earnings in the club’s history. Some players make as little as 90 dollars a week, and this tournament hasn’t just changed their finances—it’s validated their effort, their commitment, and their love for the badge. This story will be told for generations.

The teacher who made history

One of the standout names of the tournament was Christian Gray, a central defender and physical education teacher at a school in Auckland. He found himself defending stars like Harry Kane and Edinson Cavani, and even though the goals came, his fight and spirit moved everyone watching. After scoring the goal against the Xeneizes, back at school, he’ll no doubt be welcomed as a hero by his students and colleagues. Because what he did on the field goes far beyond the final score.

Homebound with a dream fulfilled

These semi-professional players now return to their jobs and everyday routines—but they’re no longer the same. They leave the Club World Cup as heroes, proving that money isn’t everything in football. Their story reminds us why we love this sport so deeply: for its spirit, passion, and pure love for the game. Auckland City didn’t win on the scoreboard, but they earned the world’s respect.