Top 5 Colombian Stars of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
With the conclusion of the biggest-ever FIFA Club World Cup — featuring 32 teams — which saw Chelsea reign victorious after a dominant 3-0 win over PSG, it’s time to reflect on the tournament’s standout performers. It was a thrilling event packed with drama, and several Colombian players stepped up in a big way with their respective teams. Today, we rank the top 5 Colombian players from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out our earlier post — https://cafeterodelnorte.com/mejores-jugadores-colombianos-mundial-de-clubes-2025/ — as today’s list features a few changes from the original.
1. Jhon Arias
Arias retains his #1 spot — and deservedly so. What a tournament he had. He was one of three Colombians to reach the semi-finals, and the only one to start every match and play every single minute for Fluminense. Operating in a free false 9 role, Arias was key to his team’s success and received widespread praise for his consistency and creativity.
Tournament Highlights:
- A strong group stage: 1 golazo and 1 assist (see link in intro for full breakdown and goal)
- Round of 16: 2-0 win vs Inter — Arias had 61 touches, completed 43% of his dribbles (3), won 50% of his duels (7), made 4 key passes, and earned Man of the Match with an 8.0 rating (Sofascore)
- Quarterfinal: 2-1 win vs Al Hilal — A tough match, but Arias contributed 5 key passes and finished with a 6.9 rating
- Semifinal: 0-2 loss vs Chelsea — Despite the defeat, Arias completed 92% of his passes(44) and 1 key pass, had 67 touches (second most on Fluminense), and earned a 6.8 rating
- Named in the DAZN Team of the Tournament
A phenomenal tournament for Arias. With growing interest from European clubs, it’ll be exciting to see what comes next for him.
2. Richard Rios
Rios climbs the rankings after a fantastic run with Palmeiras, the team to go second-deepest in the tournament in this ranking. Playing a key role in the double pivot, Rios was the maestro for Palmeiras — dictating tempo, supporting transitions, and contributing creatively.
Tournament Highlights:
- Solid group stage: Started every match and delivered consistent performances (see previous ranking for more)
- Round of 16: 1-0 win vs Botafogo — 70 touches, 100% dribble success (1), 67% duel success (10), 83% pass accuracy (39) with 1 being an assist, 7.7 rating
- Semifinal: 1-2 loss to Chelsea — After a slow first half, Rios turned it up in the second. Finished with 39 touches, 90% pass accuracy (26), and 45% duel success (5). Got an assist and a 6.8 rating
A strong showing from Rios, who has been attracting interest from abroad. A big move could be on the horizon.
3. Nelson Deossa
Despite Monterrey not going as far as the top two teams, Deossa was exceptional throughout. As one of the driving forces behind Monterrey’s surprise run past the group stage, Deossa’s creativity, calmness under pressure, and range — both in passing and shooting — stood out.
Tournament Highlights:
- Strong group stage performance, including a stunning goal (see link in intro for clip)
- Round of 16: 1-2 loss vs Borussia Dortmund — Deossa had 77 touches, 80% pass completion (45 passes), 57% successful dribbles (4), and 65% duel success (11). Earned a 7.7 rating
It might be time for Néstor Lorenzo to give him more call ups with the national team — Deossa is a serious midfield option.
4. Gabriel Fuentes
New to the top 5, Fuentes was also one of the three Colombians to reach the semifinals with Fluminense. Though he logged the fewest minutes among this group, his appearances were impactful.
Tournament Highlights:
- Group stage vs Ulsan HD (4-2 win) — 106 touches (top 3 for Fluminense), 95% pass accuracy (80), 2 key passes, 64% duel success (11), 7.4 rating
- Quarterfinal vs Al Hilal — 45 touches, 92% pass accuracy (24), 1 assist, 100% dribble success (1), 83% duel success (6), 7.1 rating
Limited appearances, but high efficiency — Fuentes makes a strong case for future involvement.
5. Stefan Medina
A seasoned veteran of the Seleccion Colombia, Medina played an important role in Monterrey’s backline, often pairing up with Sergio Ramos. His rating slipped compared to our previous list, but his leadership and consistency were evident.
Tournament Highlights:
- Strong group stage (see previous ranking for details)
- Round of 16: 1-2 loss to Dortmund — 99 touches, 93% pass accuracy (90), but won only 1 of 5 duels (20% success), finishing with a 6.4 rating
Not his best outing in the knockout round, but Medina’s reliability and experience still earned him a place in the top 5.
Honorable Mentions
- Jerson Lagos
- Kevin Castaño
- Kevin Serna
Click the link in bio to read more about these players performances in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Your Thoughts
Do you agree with these rankings? Any changes you’d make? What was your favorite moment or highlight of the tournament? Share your thoughts in the comments!
to see how it went for every Colombian player in the FIFA Club World CUP read: https://www.elpais.com.co/deportes/mundial-de-clubes-2025-como-les-fue-a-los-colombianos-que-participaron-1356.html
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