Paolo Guerrero is a name that resonates with both CR Flamengo and FC Bayern München. The Brazilian and German heavyweights, who will square off in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, both feature in the storied career of Peru’s all-time top scorer. Yet for the 40-year-old forward, the most familiar figure on the Hard Rock Stadium turf will be Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany – a former team-mate and long-time friend.
The man now at the helm of the Bavarian outfit was one of Guerrero’s closest team-mates when the two played together – in Germany, no less – at Hamburger SV from 2006 to 2008.
“I have a really close friendship with Vincent, I think of him like a brother,” Guerrero revealed in an exclusive interview with FIFA. “I’d only been in Hamburg for a month when he arrived. He wore the number ten shirt and I wore number nine,” he recalled.
Back then, they were two fledgling prospects looking to establish themselves in the European game. Kompany was two years younger than Guerrero, but his age never held him back from showing his leadership qualities on the pitch.
“He left Anderlecht as the most promising talent in Belgian football,” said Guerrero. “He was already a top professional and leader. He always encouraged his team-mates before they stepped out onto the pitch. His personality came through in spades.”
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Guerrero also remembers the positive leadership style adopted by Kompany. Instead of losing his temper or complaining to team-mates, he preferred to offer them a supportive arm around the shoulder.
“He wasn’t one to get angry with players; he was a motivator, always talking, always there to help his team-mates if they gave away the ball or anything like that.
“You could see that he was a really dedicated guy, determined, with tonnes of personality. They were traits worth emulating. I’d come over from South America, where we tend to be a little less sure of ourselves, and even at that young age he was already behaving like an adult.”
Manchester City, where he would ultimately become captain and write himself into the history books as a club legend. But their reunion was nearly written into the script more than a decade down the line.
In 2020, following a stint as Anderlecht player-manager, the centre-back hung up his boots and took over as head coach of the Brussels-based outfit, the club where he had also started his playing career. And the newly appointed manager wasted no time in deciding who he wanted to be his first signing.
“He rang me up and asked me to go and play over there,” revealed Guerrero, who was playing for Internacional in Brazil at the time. “I was under contract and leaving wasn’t an option; I was scoring goals for fun.”
After finding the net 20 times for Porto Alegre-based Inter in 2019, Guerrero hit a purple patch the following year. With ten goals in 15 games, he was instrumental for the side from the south of Brazil. Days after his phone conversation with Kompany, Guerrero suffered a serious ACL injury.
“It was the year I got injured. Just before that happened, he had called me up and I told him, ‘Bro, I’m under contract, Inter wouldn’t let me leave on a free, it would be really difficult.’”
“I would have loved to (play for Kompany). He knows what makes me tick, we’ve been through a lot together and got on really well. It would have been a fantastic experience to join up with him again.”
When asked what he expects to happen when Bayern and Flamengo go toe-to-toe at the groundbreaking global showpiece, Guerrero is sure of only one thing: that there will be no shortage of quality on display.
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The clash between the Peruvian predator’s former clubs is one of the most eagerly awaited matches in the last 16 and will pit two contrasting footballing philosophies against each other – but also two teams with a lot in common.
“Both Bayern and Flamengo are currently in fine form,” Guerrero analysed. “I think it’s going to be an epic encounter.If you look at the way Bayern play, they aren’t used to facing South American teams. They might struggle to cope with their street-smart approach.”
The Mengão remain unbeaten in the competition thanks to triumphs over Chelsea FC and Espérance and a 1-1 draw against LAFC. Bayern, meanwhile, progressed as group runners-up after losing to SL Benfica in their third outing after winning their opening two fixtures.
“Flamengo have to be very shrewd in the way they approach the game and make the most of the players at their disposal,” said Guerrero. “Bayern won’t stray from their usual game plan; they are extremely consistent and have bags of skill. And German sides never give up.
“I think both teams will cause problems for each other. It’s going to be a real battle, and whoever comes out on top will have to shed blood, sweat and tears. May the best team win.”
