The 18th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup is ongoing in the United Arab Emirates. In this special report, Sporting Ambassador’s Joseph Jacob brings you 15 records of this tournament and their holders:
The Fastest Goal
The fastest goal of the FIFA Club World Cup is scored by Mohamed Ahmed of Al Ain of United Arab Emirate. It took him only 79 seconds to score against Esperance of Tunisia in 2018.
This record was previously held by Atletico Mineiro’s Diego Tardelli who scored after 111 seconds against Guangzhou Evergrande in 2013.
The Oldest Player
The oldest player to play in the FIFA Club World Cup is Oscar Perez, who was 44 years and ten months when he played for Pachua of Mexico against Gremio of Brazil in UAE 2017.
Players like Mitsuo Ogasawara, Miguel Calero, Ante Covic and Paolo Maldini were all 39 years when they played in the competition respectively.
The Youngest Player
Alexandre Pato was only seventeen years and three months when he played in the competition. He was yet to make a professional debut for Internacional when he was named in the squad that played in Japan 2006.
Most Prolific Striker
Twelve players have an average of at least one goal per game in the FIFA Club World Cup. They are Luis Suarez (2.5), Wayne Rooney (1.5), Rafael Santos Borre (1.5), Hamdou Elhouni (1.5), Denilson (1.33), Gareth Bale (1.0), Lionel Messi (1.0), Nicolas Anelka (1.0), Washington (1.0), Mauricio Molina (1.0), Baghdad Bounedjah (1.0) and Andre-Pierre Gignac (1.0).
Country with Most Cub Appearance
Brazil is leading in this regard with nine different clubs.: Corinthians, Vasco da Gama, Sao Paulo, Internacional, Santos, Atletico Mineiro, Gremio, Flamengo and Palmeiras. Mexico are next on eight, with England the leading Europeans on three, they are Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Club with Most Appearance
Auckland City of New Zealand have appeared in the Club World Cup on an unparalleled nine occasions
The nearest club to equal that record is Al Ahly, who are set for their seventh participation.
Highest-scoring Match
Gamba Osaka’s 3-5 loss to Manchester United in 2008 and Al Sadd 2-6 defeat to Esperance in 2019 are the joint-highest-scoring matches in the competition’s history – eight goals.
Highest Goal Scorer
Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading scorer with seven goals in the competition’s history, having netted once for Manchester United in 2008, four times for Real Madrid in 2016 and twice for the same side the following year.
Gareth Bale is next on six, with Cesar Delgado, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on five apiece.
Highest Goal Scorer in One Edition
Luis Suarez of Uruguay scored five goals for Barcelona at Japan 2015. No player has achieved that feat in a single edition.
Winners With More Than One Club
Only six players have lifted the trophy with different clubs: Dida (Corinthians and AC Milan), Danilo (Sao Paulo and Corinthians), Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona and Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Bayern and Real Madrid), Ronaldo (Manchester United and Madrid) and Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich and Liverpool).
Player with Most Titles
Toni Kroos is the only player to collect five Club World Cup winners’ medals. The midfield maestro helped Bayern Munich conquer in 2013 and Real Madrid do so four times thereafter.
Players That Scored For More Than One Club
Only five players have scored for multiple clubs in the Club World Cup: Dwight Yorke (Manchester United and Sydney FC), Neri Cardozo (Boca Juniors and Monterrey), Ronaldinho (Barcelona and Atletico Mineiro), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United and Real Madrid) and Tsukasa Shiotani (Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Al Ain).
Edition with Most Goals
UAE 2018 produced an average of 4.1 goals per game.
Hat-trick Scorers
Only four players have scored three goals at the tournament: Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Hamdou Elhouni. Ronaldo is the only man to register a treble in a final.
FIFA World Cup and Club World Cup Winners
Three players have won the FIFA World Cup and Club World Cup in the same year: Germans Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos in 2014, and Frenchman Raphael Varane in 2018.