2009 FIFA Club World Cup Preview

Once again, the tournament which puts together the best football clubs from each FIFA’s Continental Confederation gets underway. This time, it will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Lets take a look on what’s in store for us this time as there is plenty of reason to be excited with the many Albiceleste connection that is involved.

Lionel MESSI and FC Barcelona

Having missed out in 2006 because of injury, Lionel MESSI will finally have the chance to grace to the World stage for his club. Clearly that both him and his team are the hot favourites to win it but their history in this competition is unfavorable.

Two of their previous outings have ended in defeat (in 1992 losing 1-2 against Sao Paolo and in 2006 0-1 against another Brazilian side, Internacional). However this season, after dominating in their domestic and continental campaign, the next thing they need to achieved has to be for Global dominance.

After winning the European footballer of the year award, a good outing in this tournament will sealed MESSI’s destiny to become World’s Player of the Year. He will be eager to follow the footstep of what Carlos TEVEZ achieved last year.

The Iron Colts Albiceleste

The only that is likely to stand Barcelona’s way in the final is Mexican side Atlante FC. They will await the winner of the home side Al-Ahly and Oceania’s Champion Auckland City.

Some of the club’s big names are no stranger to us. Among which is non other than Federico VILAR. El Jefe, as he is known, could come in handy for side from set piece situation as he is well know for scoring from free kicks.

The other big name for this team is former Real Madrid and Internazionale winger, Santiago SOLARI. He will be eager to another World title to his name having won the Inter-Continental title with Real in 2002. Atlante will look to him for some source of creativeness, something which well known from him throughout his career.

Other players in the team are Miguel Angel MARTINEZ, Gabriel PEREYRA and Andres CAVEVIC.

La Brujita and Estudiantes

Having defeated Manchester United to win the competition in 1968, Estudiantes will be motivated to come to Abu Dhabi with a aim to surprise everyone.

After all it has been 39 years since they last tasted continental glory, The Rat Stabbers went on to win their fourth crown after defeating Cruzeiro of Brazil.

Much of this success comes from the magic of Juan Sebastian VERON (by the way his father, Juan Roman VERON was a major figure in that team which won it in 1968). The last 12 months has been pretty spectacular for La Brujita, having won the South American Player of the Year in December 08, he was voted as the best player of the 2009 Copa Libertadores.

However Estudiantes is not just about VERON only as the team does contained some other quality players. There Marcos ANGELERI, who has won few caps for the National Team this year. Alongside him, another key figure in defense is Leandro DESABATO.

Plus in midfield, there is Rodrigo BRANA and Jose SOSA, on loan from Bayern. Up front, they will be relying the goal scoring exploits of Mauro BOSELLI.

Good luck to all of them as we hope to see a much more significant ending for an Argentine player in this competition.