Soccer-Porto transfer targets did not want to play in Club World Cup, says Villas-Boas
FILE PHOTO: Jun 15, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; FC Porto forward Pepe (11) controls the ball during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against SE Palmeiras at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images/File Photo
(Reuters) -Portuguese side Porto struggled to recruit players ahead of FIFA's expanded Club World Cup, with transfer targets turning down moves specifically to avoid the tournament's additional fixture burden, club president Andre Villas-Boas said.
FIFA had given leagues the option to open the transfer window between June 1-10 so participating clubs could sign players before the month-long tournament in the United States.
"We tested the market recently, so we had a special transfer window from June 1-10 where the Club World Cup clubs operated. It was incredible to see that a lot of football players didn't want to be in the competition," Villas-Boas told Men in Blazers.
"They prefer to rest in order to start afresh in the new season. So this is actually outstanding as well because FIFPRO (the global players' union) is demanding more rest for the players."
A FIFPRO study concluded that a four-week off-season break should be mandatory for professional soccer players.
"With the World Cup coming in America next season (2026), it's an even bigger competition -- more teams, probably 1,200 athletes in one competition," he added.
"So the calendar is becoming exhausting and we have more injuries... The players can't put on a good spectacle if they are not fresh."
Villas-Boas, a former manager at clubs like Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, also said that the expanded 32-team tournament comes at a "very bad time" for European clubs who wrapped up an exhausting season in May.
Porto drew 0-0 with Palmeiras in their opening group game where the Brazilian side dominated the contest but were unable to find a breakthrough.
"A few of us (European clubs) have had to give a vacation to the players, then we have to bring them back early without time enough for them to reset," Villas-Boas said.
"So for us, we are like in a continuation of the last season. And whatever happens after this tournament, the new season is coming, so they never actually have the reset that they need (going) into a new season."
Porto will next play Lionel Messi's Inter Miami on Thursday.
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Flamengo, Bayern in last 16
Published on: Sunday, June 22, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 22, 2025 By: AFP Text Size: Boca Juniors' Argentine goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin clears the danger from a Bayern attack in a Group C match at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami. PHILADELPHIA: Flamengo produced a brilliant second-half fightback to beat Chelsea 3-1 at the Club World Cup on Friday and qualify for the last 16, while Bayern Munich joined them in reaching the knockout phase with a battling win over Boca Juniors. In Philadelphia, Pedro Neto gave Chelsea an early lead but Flamengo, roared on by their frenzied supporters who made up the majority of the 54,019 crowd, did not deserve to be behind and came roaring back in the second half. Bruno Henrique came off the bench in the 56th minute and quickly equalised before setting up former Real Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus defender Danilo to make it 2-1. Chelsea were stunned, and their hopes of pulling level again were effectively destroyed when substitute Nicolas Jackson was sent off in the 68th minute for a dangerous tackle on Ayrton Lucas. Wallace Yan then sealed the victory for the Rio de Janeiro club, the Brazilian league leaders, when he made it 3-1 late on. 'It was a special day for me and our club,' said Flamengo coach Filipe Luis. Advertisement 'We knew we would have chances against Chelsea, because we have one way to play and they know how to follow that path.' Flamengo have won both matches in Group D and their place in the knockout stage was confirmed later when Esperance of Tunisia defeated Los Angeles FC 1-0 in Nashville. Youcef Belaili scored the only goal of the game in the 70th minute in front of a sparse crowd featuring Nicole Kidman. LAFC, who were last-minute qualifiers after beating Club America of Mexico in a play-off, cannot now progress further. Chelsea and Esperance each have three points from two games and their meeting in Philadelphia next Tuesday will decide who joins Flamengo in advancing. 'We expected a tough game because Flamengo is a very good team, with good players and a good manager,' said Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca. 'They play very well, and in Brazil they are top of the league, unbeaten for many games, so it was not a surprise for us.' Flamengo's win followed Botafogo's stunning success against European champions Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, continuing an impressive record for South American clubs at the competition. But Bayern's 2-1 win over Boca in Miami was the first time either a Brazilian or Argentinian team had lost in 10 matches since the tournament started. England star Harry Kane did not find the target when Bayern hammered New Zealand's Auckland City 10-0 in their opening game, but he opened the scoring in Miami with a clinical finish on 18 minutes. Boca's fans made up most of the 63,587 crowd and brought incredible passion and noise to the Hard Rock Stadium, spurring their team on to equalise in the 66th minute. Alan Velasco found Miguel Merentiel down the right and he powered goalwards, skipping around Josip Stanisic before producing a brilliant finish past Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal. It looked like South American clubs' unbeaten record in the tournament so far was going to hold, but with six minutes remaining Michael Olise provided the decisive blow. After a scramble on the edge of the box, Kane found the France international with a delicate lay-off and Olise provided precision control with a superb finish into the corner to send Bayern through to the next round. 'Big performance from the guys. We knew it wasn't going to be easy, we knew we were coming into a hostile environment,' Kane told DAZN. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Guardiola signals summer clear-out to ease City squad crunch after transfer spending spree
ATLANTA, June 22 — Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said yesterday his club will have to sell players this summer for the stars' own good. The Premier League side brought in several players ahead of the Club World Cup, leaving Guardiola with a large squad. Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move to Turkish side Galatasaray in recent days. Guardiola said he did not know anything about it, but said several players would have to be sold following the purchases of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri. 'I will love to have the players we have right now all season,' Guardiola told reporters in Atlanta. 'The problem is they will be unhappy during the season, they will be sad, they will be disappointed. 'I don't want that. I do it for them, not for me. For them. We have to see what happens, it's a long time until the transfer window will be closed, we have to see step by step.' Guardiola has said in the past he prefers a squad size of around 20 senior players, whereas City have more than 30 at present. Before trimming the squad City are hoping to win the Club World Cup in the United States with their new arrivals providing fresh energy. They beat Wydad AC in their first match and face Al Ain on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where they can seal qualification to the last 16. Guardiola said Spanish defensive midfielder Rodri was not able to start the game as he continues his comeback from injury. 'He's getting better. He can play 20 minutes, 30 minutes at a time. He wants to play to help but we want to protect his knee,' said the coach. 'Privilege' Guardiola said he was keen to take City far in the Club World Cup and it was a 'privilege to be here'. The coach dismissed some of the complaints about the competition and pointed towards the attitude of the South American clubs as an example of follow. 'I love when I see Botafogo, all the Brazilian teams, Argentinian teams, how they celebrate, how they are together, I love them,' said Guardiola. 'I'm pretty sure for the South American teams, for the Brazilian teams, for Argentinean teams, this competition is maybe the maximum... 'I like how all the games are tight, except one or two, and people are surprised, European teams lose. Welcome to the real world. Welcome to the real world my friends.' Guardiola said Brazilian sides would have a 'carnival for one week' if they won the tournament. After Manchester City failed to win a trophy apart from the Community Shield, it would provide a boost heading into the new season. Guardiola said his team and staff, both featuring new arrivals, were enjoying spending time with each other and their facilities in Florida. 'It's a privilege to be here... to be back in four years' time you have to win big, big, prizes,' said Guardiola. 'Once we are here why should not we fight to stay longer and longer and longer... 'We can say it's annoying to come here (but) I want to arrive to the last stages, and that's the truth.' — AFP
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Guardiola Hints at Summer Sales to Trim Man City Squad
MANCHESTER City coach Pep Guardiola said Saturday his club will have to sell players this summer for the stars' own good. The Premier League side brought in several players ahead of the Club World Cup, leaving Guardiola with a large squad. Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move to Turkish side Galatasaray in recent days. Guardiola said he did not know anything about it, but said several players would have to be sold following the purchases of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri. 'I will love to have the players we have right now all season,' Guardiola told reporters in Atlanta. 'The problem is they will be unhappy during the season, they will be sad, they will be disappointed. 'I don't want that. I do it for them, not for me. For them. We have to see what happens, it's a long time until the transfer window will be closed, we have to see step by step.' Guardiola has said in the past he prefers a squad size of around 20 senior players, whereas City have more than 30 at present. Before trimming the squad City are hoping to win the Club World Cup in the United States with their new arrivals providing fresh energy. They beat Wydad AC in their first match and face Al Ain on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where they can seal qualification to the last 16. Guardiola said Spanish defensive midfielder Rodri was not able to start the game as he continues his comeback from injury. 'He's getting better. He can play 20 minutes, 30 minutes at a time. He wants to play to help but we want to protect his knee,' said the coach. 'Privilege' Guardiola said he was keen to take City far in the Club World Cup and it was a 'privilege to be here'. The coach dismissed some of the complaints about the competition and pointed towards the attitude of the South American clubs as an example of follow. 'I love when I see Botafogo, all the Brazilian teams, Argentinian teams, how they celebrate, how they are together, I love them,' said Guardiola. 'I'm pretty sure for the South American teams, for the Brazilian teams, for Argentinean teams, this competition is maybe the maximum... 'I like how all the games are tight, except one or two, and people are surprised, European teams lose. Welcome to the real world. Welcome to the real world my friends.' Guardiola said Brazilian sides would have a 'carnival for one week' if they won the tournament. After Manchester City failed to win a trophy apart from the Community Shield, it would provide a boost heading into the new season. Guardiola said his team and staff, both featuring new arrivals, were enjoying spending time with each other and their facilities in Florida. 'It's a privilege to be here... to be back in four years time you have to win big, big, prizes,' said Guardiola. 'Once we are here why should not we fight to stay longer and longer and longer... 'We can say it's annoying to come here (but) I want to arrive to the last stages, and that's the truth.'
