Raphael Veiga, Ederson, Raúl Asencio, Lucas Beraldo: the disappointments of the Club World Cup
While the FIFA Club World Cup celebrated Chelsea’s dominance and Cole Palmer’s heroics, it also left a trail of disappointments. Several big-name players underperformed during the competition and now face uncertain futures at their respective clubs.
Veiga’s European Dream Fades
Palmeiras midfielder Raphael Veiga was expected to use the global stage as a springboard to European football. However, with no goals in four matches, including two starts and one game where he didn’t feature at all (vs. Botafogo), his performance fell flat. Rumored interest from Barcelona and Inter Milan has cooled, and Veiga’s hopes for a major move have taken a serious hit.
Asencio: Real Madrid’s Weakest Link
At Real Madrid, Raúl Asencio emerged as the tournament’s biggest flop. The forward struggled in every appearance and was publicly criticized by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, a rare occurrence at the club. According to reports, Asencio may be transferred out during the current window as manager Xabi Alonso looks to overhaul the squad following the 4-0 loss to PSG.
Lucas Beraldo Requests PSG Exit
Lucas Beraldo, who started in PSG’s 3-0 final defeat to Chelsea, also failed to impress. According to L’Équipe, the young Brazilian defender has formally requested a transfer. After joining PSG from São Paulo, Beraldo now believes a new club will provide him with more consistent minutes, essential for his development. PSG has not yet received official offers.
Ederson’s Time at Man City Nearing Its End?
Goalkeeper Ederson is another high-profile casualty of the tournament. His performance in Manchester City’s shocking loss to Al-Hilal further compounded a string of recent errors. With his contract expiring in 2026, sources within the club indicate that a departure is likely.
The Brazilian is now linked to clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and City are reportedly preparing to pursue Diogo Costa, the FC Porto goalkeeper highly rated by Pep Guardiola.
