South American teams have stood out in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ and arguably one of the most eye-catching players has been Jhon Arias of Fluminense FC.
The Colombian midfielder continued his excellent run of performances in the tournament with a sparkling display in Fluminense’s spectacular 2-0 win against FC Internazionale Milano in the Round of 16 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
It was Arias who served up the cross that resulted in German Cano’s opener, setting in motion another breathtaking performance going forward and in defence for the Brazilian side. The 27-year-old garnered his third Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match distinction to help his side reach the quarter-finals.
“I’m happy, happy for advancing, happy for this award, which is the fruit of work and effort,” said Arias to FIFA. “We played a great match. We faced a great opponent in Inter, who are a world power. And we leave here with a very important qualification [to the next round]. It’s very important for the club, Brazil and South America. So now we will enjoy it, enjoy with family, enjoy with our fans because it’s a reward for everyone.”
Arias was quick to deflect any personal attention, stressing that Monday’s majestic result was a group effort that will no doubt reverberate back in Brazil.
“I think the whole team played a great match,” said Arias. “We played a complete game. Like I said, it was a demanding match, so I dedicate it to my team-mates, our coaching staff, our directors, because I believe today was a victory that made all of Brazil proud.”
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Fluminense join Palmeiras as Brazilian clubs into the final eight, with Arias & Co. traveling to Orlando on Friday, 4 July to play the winner between Manchester City and Al Hilal. Even though they are just three wins from the title, Arias is preaching caution as they reach the business end of the tournament.
“We are going step by step,” said Arias. “We are in the quarter-finals. We know that regardless of the next opponent that comes, it will also be difficult. So we are going step by step with humility, with our feet on the ground, knowing that it is a very demanding tournament and that we are going to have very competitive opponents from here on out. We just need to keep working because we have a chance.”
Still, when asked what it would mean to lift the trophy at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on 13 July, Arias allowed himself to imagine the possibility.
“I think it would be a dream, a dream for me personally, for the team, for a whole country and a continent,” said Arias. “We are representing all of South America. We are representing our cultures, we are representing our roots, so this is a team reward and a dream. I believe that all of us who feel football in that part of the world are dreaming about it.”
