Neuer: Bayern happy to be at Club World Cup while others miss out
ORLANDO: Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is happy to be at the new-look Club World Cup and said only time will tell whether the event will be a success, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.
The football tournament has been expanded from seven to 32 teams and has a prize money of around US$1 billion (RM4.2 billion).
Critics say it adds to an already saturated match calendar and raises player burnout fears.
Bayern, who arrived on Tuesday at their base camp in Florida, and Borussia Dortmund are Germany's representatives at the June 14 to July 13 event in the United States.
But with European countries limited to two teams per country, and with qualifying based on past results, there are also prominent absentees such as English champions Liverpool and Spanish double winners Barcelona.
"I believe it is something special to be part of it. There are teams which are not part of it. It hurts them. They would surely also like to play," Neuer said ahead of Bayern's opener on Sunday against Auckland City.
The tournament is to be held every four years, and Neuer did not want to come to any conclusions about it just yet.
"We will see in a few years or decades what kind of standing this tournament format will have. It is difficult to say right now because it is played for the first time," he said.
"We are looking forward to the tournament. We know what is at stake and we are happy to be part of it."
But Neuer also said he was aware of the risks as the event, after a long domestic and European season, adds considerably to player workload.
"The calendar is becoming tighter and tighter. This tournament takes place every four years. It is good that it isn't every year. It is becoming more and more. That is something to think about," Neuer said. – BERNAMA-dpa
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