South American Stars Ready to Shine on Club World Cup Stage
The group phase of the Club World Cup has concluded, and one of the most notable aspects of the tournament thus far has been the impressive displays from several Latin American squads.
Each of the four Brazilian clubs participating in the competition advanced to the knockout phase, with three of them securing first place in their respective groups. From North America, Liga MX representatives Monterrey and MLS outfit Inter Miami also progressed to the round of 16.
The majority of these teams' squads consist of South American players who remain largely unfamiliar to football enthusiasts beyond the Americas region.
The Club World Cup has provided these athletes with an opportunity to compete against some of Europe's finest clubs, and they have demonstrated their capabilities admirably.
South American football has historically served as a major talent pipeline for European leagues. In essence, it functions as Europe's training ground, and the Club World Cup has demonstrated that numerous players possess the quality to make the transition across the Atlantic.
Below are five emerging South American talents from the Club World Cup who could potentially join European clubs in the coming period.
Richard Rios: Palmeiras - Colombia
Richard Ríos captivated audiences with his displays during last summer's Copa América, where he was instrumental in Colombia's historic run to the final.
Twelve months on, the 25-year-old midfielder is again commanding attention at the Club World Cup, excelling for Palmeiras.
Throughout his developmental years, the Colombian international primarily played five-a-side futsal, which is evident in his style. His most remarkable quality is his fearlessness when receiving possession under pressure in central areas, possessing both the technical skills and confidence to excel with the ball in confined spaces.
Ríos typically operates on the right side of a midfield partnership, but he embodies the modern box-to-box midfielder. While not the quickest player, his initial acceleration is sufficient to consistently evade opponents. He may not complete 100 passes per match, but he excels at carrying the ball forward.
With remarkable technical ability, strong physical presence, and matching character, Ríos has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs. Palmeiras are demanding a substantial fee, but continued strong performances could see him departing the Brazilian league this summer.
Gonzalo Plata: Flamengo - Ecuador
Gonzalo Plata recovered from a knee problem just in time for the Club World Cup and is now making his mark.
The 24-year-old Ecuadorian international was outstanding in Flamengo's 3–1 triumph over Chelsea, providing two assists in his first start after more than 40 days out.
The talented Plata is an adaptable player who can operate effectively across the front line, a quality that has impressed Flamengo coach Filipe Luís, who recently commented, "He's [Plata] so talented that he can feature anywhere in the attacking third. On both flanks, as a striker, as a false nine, or attacking from deeper positions. He's a crucial player for the team."
His return to South America following challenging spells with Sporting CP and Real Valladolid has rejuvenated Plata's career. He's now playing regularly and has shown improvement in his game, particularly in creative areas where he thrives.
Plata graduated from Independiente Del Valle's academy, widely regarded as the continent's finest. Moisés Caicedo, William Pacho, and Piero Hincapié all emerged from this academy recently and, along with Plata, have contributed to Ecuador's national team improvement.
Impressive knockout stage performances could see Plata reunite with his international teammates in Europe shortly.
Nelson Deossa: Monterrey - Colombia
When the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020, Nelson Deossa was working as a miner in Colombia. Today, he's been vital to Monterrey's Club World Cup campaign.
Deossa entered as a substitute against Inter Milan and energized Monterrey's midfield, helping secure a draw against the Champions League runners-up. Since then, the 25-year-old Colombian has featured in every minute, becoming instrumental in his team's round of 16 qualification.
Like Ríos, Deossa is a dominant midfield force that opponents struggle to dispossess. He was fouled seven times against River Plate in Monterrey's second tournament match, resulting in yellow cards for Enzo Pérez and Giuliano Galoppo that led to their suspensions.
Though perhaps not as technically refined as his compatriot Ríos, he's an exceptional duel winner with a powerful left foot. His striking ability is noteworthy, but his overall game completeness might be even more impressive.
Deossa has yet to earn his first Colombia cap, though he's already received call-ups from Néstor Lorenzo. If he partners with Ríos, Colombia could field a formidable midfield partnership at next summer's World Cup.
European clubs will certainly have noticed one of Liga MX's standout performers, making his return to Mexico for next season increasingly doubtful.
Igor Jesus: Botafogo - Brazil
Few Club World Cup performances have surpassed Igor Jesus's display in Botafogo's memorable victory over Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.
Jesus's showing against PSG exemplified the lone striker role and highlighted all his attributes. He demonstrated his ability to play with his back to goal as an outlet and possession stabilizer. He constantly made runs to create attacking opportunities and pressed PSG's entire defensive line throughout the match.
Most importantly, he repeatedly carved through the center-back partnership of Lucas Beraldo and Pacho, most notably in the sequence that led to Jesus scoring what may be the group stage's most memorable goal.
Jesus joined Botafogo last summer and netted three goals in six crucial knockout matches that helped El Fogão claim their maiden Copa Libertadores title. His performances earned him a Brazil call-up, where he scored on his debut.
Nottingham Forest reportedly have a verbal agreement to sign the 24-year-old striker, whom many Brazilians consider the best option to lead La Seleçao's attack at the 2026 World Cup.
Jhon Arias: Fluminense - Colombia
At 27 years old, Fluminense winger Jhon Arias is a late developer. He didn't debut until age 21, but has since become a Fluminense icon, a Colombia regular, and in the Club World Cup, he's showcasing his abilities to a global audience.
In Fluminense's tournament opener, Arias was devastating and the match's standout performer as El Flu nearly defeated Borussia Dortmund. Days later, Arias scored one of the tournament's finest goals and provided another assist in El Flu's win over Ulsan HD.
Arias concluded the group stage as the South American player with the most fouls drawn, ground duels won, and passes leading directly to shots.
Since joining the Rio de Janeiro club in 2021, he's appeared in 226 matches, scored 47 goals, recorded 55 assists, and became a club legend by bringing the Copa Libertadores back to the Maracana in 2023.
He's among the finest technicians on this side of the Atlantic, but he's also tactically astute, makes good decisions, and shows leadership qualities, even captaining the team in the group stage finale.
The Colombian has expressed his ambition to play in Europe during his career. Now established in Lorenzo's Colombia squad and excelling in international competition, he appears destined to make the European transition sooner rather than later.