Club World Cup Overview
The opening matches of the Club World Cup revealed a wide disparity in playing intensity across the fixtures. Some games resembled laid-back pre-season encounters, while others reached the level of a World Cup final. This inconsistency was accompanied by an unsettling visual of many stadiums not reaching full capacity. However, amidst this backdrop, young talents emerged, lighting up the tournament with impressive performances.
Notable newcomers included Juventus‘ Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao, Red Bull Salzburg‘s Oscar Gloukh, Jair Cunha from Botafogo, and Real Madrid‘s Gonzalo Garcia, all of whom found the back of the net at least once.
Emerging Talents
As the tournament unfolds, The Athletic plans to spotlight emerging talents who may have flown under the radar, leading with profiles of these promising players. They detail their skills and contributions as their clubs vie for the prestigious title on July 13.
Player Spotlight: Elias Montiel
One standout player is 19-year-old Elias Montiel, a midfielder hailing from Pachuca in Mexico. Despite standing at a modest 171 cm (5 ft 7 in), Montiel is known for his agility and ability to influence matches, both offensively and defensively. A product of Pachuca’s youth academy, he made rapid advancements, ascending from the U-18 squad to the senior team in just two years.
Over his career at Pachuca, he has appeared 65 times, netting two goals and providing five assists. His pivotal role helped secure the 2023-24 Concacaf Champions Cup last June, the key victory that earned Pachuca a spot in the Club World Cup.
Montiel boasts a unique skill set, adept at filling multiple roles ranging from a defensive midfielder to more attacking positions. He is proficient with both feet, whether he’s receiving, passing, or taking shots, fulfilling various tactical requirements for his team. Although he may lack blistering speed, he compensates with clever body movements and side-steps that help him outmaneuver defenders, evident in his ability to create opportunities, such as his strike against the MLS team Philadelphia Union last season.
Defensive Skills and Match Performance
Known for his defensive tenacity, Montiel averages an impressive 3.1 tackles per match, placing him among the top 9% of Liga MX midfielders this season. He also possesses a powerful shot, as highlighted in one of his goals against Necaxa during a high-scoring match (5-3) earlier this year, showcasing his knack for finding optimal shooting positions and finishing effectively.
In Pachuca’s recent group stage opener against Red Bull Salzburg, which ended in a disappointing 2-1 loss, Montiel’s individual performance shone through. He successfully completed 43 of 53 passes and created two scoring chances, demonstrating his effectiveness in maintaining rhythm and defensive support when needed.
One notable moment came in the first half when he created a strong opportunity for Rondon, who saw his effort saved by the Salzburg goalkeeper.
As the game unfolded, Montiel often positioned himself just behind striker Salomon Rondon, making him integral to their attacking plays, especially during counter-attacks. Montiel exhibited keen awareness and anticipation, although an unfortunate turnover led to Salzburg scoring the opener.
Future Prospects
As he continues to develop, sharpening his decision-making in advanced positions will be crucial. Turning 20 in October gives him ample time to refine these capabilities. While his physicality may still be a work in progress, his technical skills are on an upward trajectory. Should he attract interest from a European club following the Club World Cup, a move to a mid-tier team in the Eredivisie or Primeira Liga, where he can gain valuable playing time, could significantly enhance his growth as a player.
Watch the Tournament
For those looking to catch all the action of the FIFA Club World Cup, DAZN offers free access to every match.
