• Khalid Essa (Al Ain). The man of the tournament, even if the Golden Ball eventually went to Gareth Bale. The Al Ain goalkeeper was a colossus, despite the international media’s fixation on his height. The star of two shootouts, and generally excellent everywhere else, Essa made save after save in the final against Real Madrid. The UAE No 1 the tournament with reputation very much enhanced. Reuters
    Khalid Essa (Al Ain). The man of the tournament, even if the Golden Ball eventually went to Gareth Bale. The Al Ain goalkeeper was a colossus, despite the international media’s fixation on his height. The star of two shootouts, and generally excellent everywhere else, Essa made save after save in the final against Real Madrid. The UAE No 1 the tournament with reputation very much enhanced. Reuters
  • Marcelo (Real Madrid). The best left-back in the world? Perhaps Marcelo, centre, can lay claim to that or maybe not, but nonetheless the Madrid defender was a key contributor to his side’s success. Laid on two goals for Gareth Bale in the semi-final: one a clever one-two, the other a carefully measured slide pass. In particular, his partnership with Welshman was a strongpoint for the eventual champions.. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Marcelo (Real Madrid). The best left-back in the world? Perhaps Marcelo, centre, can lay claim to that or maybe not, but nonetheless the Madrid defender was a key contributor to his side’s success. Laid on two goals for Gareth Bale in the semi-final: one a clever one-two, the other a carefully measured slide pass. In particular, his partnership with Welshman was a strongpoint for the eventual champions.. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Tsukasa Shiotani (Al Ain). His inclusion always felt a certainty. Traditionally a midfielder, the Japanese has for some time operated in defence for Al Ain. Dogged and dependable, Shiotani, right, offered plenty in attack too, his goal igniting Al Ain’s comeback against Team Wellington, while he assisted Caio for the equaliser against River Plate and then nodded home in the final. One of the many standouts for the hosts. AFP
    Tsukasa Shiotani (Al Ain). His inclusion always felt a certainty. Traditionally a midfielder, the Japanese has for some time operated in defence for Al Ain. Dogged and dependable, Shiotani, right, offered plenty in attack too, his goal igniting Al Ain’s comeback against Team Wellington, while he assisted Caio for the equaliser against River Plate and then nodded home in the final. One of the many standouts for the hosts. AFP
  • Tongo Doumbia (Al Ain). Have nOt played since joining the club in October? Thrown straight into the Club World Cup? Up against the champions of Oceania, Africa, South America and Europe? Don’t mind if you do. The Mali midfielder was a powerful and pivotal presence in Al Ain’s engine room. He even scored in the opener against Team Wellington to help his side claw their way back. Some introduction, all round. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Tongo Doumbia (Al Ain). Have nOt played since joining the club in October? Thrown straight into the Club World Cup? Up against the champions of Oceania, Africa, South America and Europe? Don’t mind if you do. The Mali midfielder was a powerful and pivotal presence in Al Ain’s engine room. He even scored in the opener against Team Wellington to help his side claw their way back. Some introduction, all round. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Luka Modric (Real Madrid). Not too much more can be said about the World Cup silver medalist, who earlier this month collected the Ballon d’Or. Modric was magnificent in the final especially, his lovely curled shot opening the scoring. Other than that, he did what he typically does: orchestrated, ensured the match ran to his beat. Also assisted Sergio Ramos for Madrid’s third against Al Ain. A joy to watch. AFP
    Luka Modric (Real Madrid). Not too much more can be said about the World Cup silver medalist, who earlier this month collected the Ballon d’Or. Modric was magnificent in the final especially, his lovely curled shot opening the scoring. Other than that, he did what he typically does: orchestrated, ensured the match ran to his beat. Also assisted Sergio Ramos for Madrid’s third against Al Ain. A joy to watch. AFP
  • Mario Barcia (Team Wellington). His team didn’t make it through their play-off, but the Team Wellington midfielder still departed Al Ain with a memory to cherish. Barcia scored the first goal of the tournament, curling a brilliant effort high into the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium net. Wellington, part-timers from New Zealand, promptly went 3-0 up, before Al Ain rallied to prevail on penalties. Still, Barcia had more than made his mark. Reuters
    Mario Barcia (Team Wellington). His team didn’t make it through their play-off, but the Team Wellington midfielder still departed Al Ain with a memory to cherish. Barcia scored the first goal of the tournament, curling a brilliant effort high into the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium net. Wellington, part-timers from New Zealand, promptly went 3-0 up, before Al Ain rallied to prevail on penalties. Still, Barcia had more than made his mark. Reuters
  • Caio (Al Ain). Having already excelled en route to the semi-final, the Al Ain midfielder finally got the reward he deserved against River Plate. Caio grabbed the all-important equaliser, a brilliant solo effort, then converted the first penalty in the shootout. The Brazilian winger’s overall play in the tournament was superb, his pace and trickery a highlight. He registered three assists also, and concluded the event with the Silver Ball. Reuters
    Caio (Al Ain). Having already excelled en route to the semi-final, the Al Ain midfielder finally got the reward he deserved against River Plate. Caio grabbed the all-important equaliser, a brilliant solo effort, then converted the first penalty in the shootout. The Brazilian winger’s overall play in the tournament was superb, his pace and trickery a highlight. He registered three assists also, and concluded the event with the Silver Ball. Reuters
  • Hussein El Shahat (Al Ain). Man of the match in the victory against Esperance de Tunis, the Egyptian, left, was a persistent threat to whomever he lined up in front of. El Shahat was always willing to take on opponents, a regular out-ball for whenever Al Ain were under pressure. Capped a strong tournament with the goal against Esperance and was unlucky to have another ruled out, wrongly, in the semi-final. Reuters
    Hussein El Shahat (Al Ain). Man of the match in the victory against Esperance de Tunis, the Egyptian, left, was a persistent threat to whomever he lined up in front of. El Shahat was always willing to take on opponents, a regular out-ball for whenever Al Ain were under pressure. Capped a strong tournament with the goal against Esperance and was unlucky to have another ruled out, wrongly, in the semi-final. Reuters
  • Gareth Bale (Real Madrid). The Welshman came into the tournament with serious questions about his form and doubts regarding his fitness. But he answered them pretty emphatically in the semi-final against Kashima Antlers. Bale grabbed the fastest hat-trick in tournament history, at 11 minutes, a treble straddled across both halves. Only Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo had previously notched Club World Cup hat-tricks. Decent company. Reuters
    Gareth Bale (Real Madrid). The Welshman came into the tournament with serious questions about his form and doubts regarding his fitness. But he answered them pretty emphatically in the semi-final against Kashima Antlers. Bale grabbed the fastest hat-trick in tournament history, at 11 minutes, a treble straddled across both halves. Only Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo had previously notched Club World Cup hat-tricks. Decent company. Reuters
  • Santos Borre (River Plate). It was certainly not the tournament River envisioned. The South American champions, crowned winners of the Copa Libertadores earlier this month, were expected to face Real Madrid in the final, but came unstuck in the semi-final against Al Ain. Nevertheless, Santos Borre was a bright spark, nabbing two goals in the last four before tucking away a late penalty as River secured third spot. Later awarded the Bronze Ball. AP Photo
    Santos Borre (River Plate). It was certainly not the tournament River envisioned. The South American champions, crowned winners of the Copa Libertadores earlier this month, were expected to face Real Madrid in the final, but came unstuck in the semi-final against Al Ain. Nevertheless, Santos Borre was a bright spark, nabbing two goals in the last four before tucking away a late penalty as River secured third spot. Later awarded the Bronze Ball. AP Photo
  • Gonzalo Martinez (River Plate). The River No 10 will probably leave the tournament thinking what might have been. In the semi-final, with the score at 2-2 and 20 minutes remaining, Martinez thundered a penalty against the Al Ain crossbar. The Argentines never recovered. But he scored twice, as a substitute, in the play-off for third. His second, a deft chip in injury-time, was one of the goals of the tournament. Some redemption, at least. Reuters
    Gonzalo Martinez (River Plate). The River No 10 will probably leave the tournament thinking what might have been. In the semi-final, with the score at 2-2 and 20 minutes remaining, Martinez thundered a penalty against the Al Ain crossbar. The Argentines never recovered. But he scored twice, as a substitute, in the play-off for third. His second, a deft chip in injury-time, was one of the goals of the tournament. Some redemption, at least. Reuters

Khalid Essa and Gareth Bale lead way in Fifa Club World Cup team of the tournament

Five Al Ain players among the 11 picked by John McAuley following the conclusion of the competition in Abu Dhabi

John McAuley
John McAuley

December 23, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

The 2018 Fifa Club World Cup is over with Real Madrid champions for a record fourth time.

But as the dust settles on the tournament it is time to reflect on those who stole the show on the pitch.

John McAuley picks his best line-up from the players that took part in the action in the UAE.

Surprise package Al Ain lead the way with five players, including goalkeeper Khalid Eisa and Brazilian midfielder Caio.

Real, who have now won the title a record four times, are also well represented with Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Marcelo in the side, while there are also spots for two River Plate players and one from Team Wellington.

To view John's complete XI, check out the photo gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

____________

Read more

Zoran Mamic: Al Ain must now maintain 'higher levels' reached at Fifa Club World Cup

Caio not ruling out exit from Al Ain after Fifa Club World Cup heroics

Santiago Solari impressed by 'remarkable' Al Ain as he celebrates Real Madrid's Fifa Club World Cup win

Real Madrid win the Fifa Club World Cup - as it happened

____________

Real MadridAl AinFifa Club World Cup 2025Al Ain Football Club