Mateo Kovacic can achieve something even Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t in Club World Cup

Mateo Kovacic could become the first player to win the Club World Cup with three different teams.

The midfielder is part of the Manchester City squad that has traveled to Saudi Arabia in the hope of capping off a glorious year by being crowned the top club side in world football.

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Kovacic first won the Club World Cup during his time with Real Madrid and can make history with Man City if they win itCredit: Getty

Pep Guardiola’s side qualified for the competition by winning the Champions League last season.

But while Kovacic wasn’t part of the treble-winning Man City side, he’s certainly earned his spot at the competition.

The Serbia international was part of the Real Madrid side who won the Club World Cup in 2016, before then being part of the side who retained the crown the following year in 2017.

His time at the Santiago Bernabeu saw him win the Champions League no less than three times, something he subsequently won with Chelsea.

Joining the Blues in 2019, Kovacic won the Champions League – beating City in the 2021 final – and the Club World Cup.

In the summer of 2023, he joined Man City and won his first trophy – the Super Cup almost immediately – with the Club World Cup giving him the chance to win his second trophy of his fledgling City career.

Still only 29, if Kovacic does win the Club World Cup with a third different club, it would see him surpass a number of football greats.

Stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo [Manchester United and Real Madrid], Toni Kroos [Bayern and Real Madrid], David Alaba {Bayern Munich and Real Madrid] and Antonio Rudiger [Chelsea and Real Madrid] are all among the players to win it with two different teams.

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Kovacic won the trophy with Chelsea – earning a place in the Club World Cup by beating Man City in the Champions League finalCredit: Getty

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He’ll be hoping to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo by winning it with three different clubsCredit: Getty – Contributor

But with Urawa Red Diamonds standing between Man City and the Club World Cup final, Kovacic will be desperate to step away from the crowded pack to claim the record for himself.