The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will bring together the most elite football clubs and their biggest stars in a spectacle unlike anything fans have seen before. But behind every goal, every pass, and every tackle lies a more personal layer of the game — the rituals, superstitions, and habits that players follow religiously.
From music playlists to spiritual acts, these football player rituals help athletes perform under pressure, stay centered, and express their identities. With the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 USA welcoming 32 teams, fans will see these routines unfold across stadiums in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and beyond.
Here are 10 Club World Cup stars — including Messi, Veiga, Vinícius Jr., and others — and the pre-game rituals that help define them.
⚽ 1. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) – The Cross and the Dance
A rising figure among the Club World Cup stars, Vinícius Júnior makes the sign of the cross three times before each match. After scoring, he dances to celebrate his joy and pay homage to Brazilian street football culture.
⚽ 2. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – Tunnel Silence and Breathing
Haaland’s routine is minimalist and deeply mental. The Norwegian striker walks out of the tunnel in total silence, focusing on controlled breathing and visualizing goal scenarios to enter “beast mode” before kickoff.
⚽ 3. Raphaël Veiga (Palmeiras) – Green Day Playlist Only
A unique figure among FIFA Club World Cup 2025 participants, Veiga listens exclusively to Green Day before matches. No samba, no hip hop — just the same American rock band. It’s his mental reset button, keeping emotions in balance whether he’s taking penalties or leading an attack.
⚽ 4. Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo) – Maté & Cumbia Ritual
Flamengo’s Uruguayan maestro drinks maté in total silence while listening to cumbia music. He says the combination connects him to his roots and prepares his mind to “create, not just compete.”
⚽ 5. Tiquinho Soares (Botafogo) – Goalkeeper Glove Touch & Corner Flag Prayer
Before every match, Tiquinho walks over to Botafogo’s goalkeeper and touches his gloves — a sign of unity. Then he walks to the corner flag, places his hand on it, and quietly prays. It’s his personal moment of gratitude and focus.
⚽ 6. Jhon Arias (Fluminense) – Wrist Kisses and Skyward Cross
Arias is one of Fluminense’s most passionate figures at the Club World Cup 2025. Before kickoff, he kisses each wrist — one tattooed with his mother’s name, the other with a tribute to his hometown — and makes the sign of the cross while looking upward.
⚽ 7. Ali Maâloul (Al Ahly) – Holy Water and Qur’anic Verses
Veteran Al Ahly defender Ali Maâloul uses holy water and recites Qur’an verses before every match. His faith-based routine brings him mental peace and emotional readiness, especially under the global spotlight.
⚽ 8. André-Pierre Gignac (Tigres UANL) – The Lucky Undershirt
Gignac has worn the same undershirt for international tournaments for years. Worn out and stitched in places, it’s a talisman that he believes brings consistency and confidence when it matters most.
⚽ 9. Mohamed Kanno (Al Hilal) – Duas and Tunnel Clap
Kanno performs a short prayer and follows it with three loud claps in the tunnel. He says it activates a sense of “spiritual intensity” and physical alertness — a tradition he’s carried since youth football.
⚽ 10. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – Left Boot First and Kiss to the Sky
Even the greatest of all time has rituals. Lionel Messi always puts on his left boot first, and after scoring, he looks skyward with both hands raised — a dedication to his late grandmother who took him to his first matches. If Inter Miami appears in the tournament as a host wildcard, fans might witness this iconic gesture live at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 USA.
🧠 Why Do These Club World Cup Stars Follow Rituals?
From pre-game chants to quiet reflection, football player rituals serve a deeper purpose. According to sports psychologists, rituals:
- Help reduce anxiety
- Create emotional control
- Provide a structured transition into “game mode”
Especially in tournaments like the Club World Cup 2025, where pressure and global attention are intense, these habits help maintain mental stability.
🌎 The Human Side of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
These routines reveal the emotional depth behind global football. They connect players to family, faith, memory, music, and inner strength. And they turn athletes into relatable humans — each with their own way of coping with the weight of expectation.
From Veiga’s headphones to Arias’ tattoos, these details add heart to the drama of elite sport. Whether it’s Vinícius’ dance or Messi’s skyward glance, each ritual tells a story.
📣 Final Thoughts
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 USA won’t just be about goals and trophies. It will be about moments — before the whistle, between the lines, and in the rituals that give each match its soul.
At Soccer n Popcorn, we’re here to bring you those hidden layers. We’re following every team, every chant, and every ritual — because football is more than a game. It’s human.
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I’m a Brazilian copywriter and the voice behind Soccer n Popcorn. I’ve been in love with football for as long as I can remember — especially the electric energy of stadiums and the stories that unfold off the pitch. From fan chants to behind-the-scenes rituals, I’m here to explore everything that makes the game more than just 90 minutes.
