FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009: Barcelona's Historic Triumph
The 2009 FIFA Club World Cup, officially known as the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009 presented by Toyota, was a premier international football competition held from December 9 to 19, 2009. Hosted by the United Arab Emirates, this sixth edition of the tournament brought together seven elite teams from six different confederations to determine the best club side in the world.
The tournament was a landmark event for FC Barcelona, who entered as the winners of the UEFA Champions League. By securing the title, Barcelona became the first Spanish club to win the Club World Cup. More impressively, this victory marked their sixth trophy of the 2009 calendar year, surpassing the previous European record of five trophies set by Liverpool in 2001.
Key Facts
- Champions: Barcelona (1st title)
- Host City: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Best Player: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
- Top Scorer: Denílson (Pohang Steelers) with 4 goals
- Total Attendance: 156,350 spectators
- Official Match Ball: Adidas Jabulani
The Road to the Final
The tournament structure featured a progression from a play-off round to the final. Al-Ahli (the host team from the UAE Pro-League) faced Auckland City in the opening play-off, where Auckland City secured a 2–0 victory to advance to the quarter-finals.
In the quarter-finals, Pohang Steelers defeated TP Mazembe 2–1, while Atlante dominated Auckland City with a 3–0 win. The semi-finals saw Estudiantes edge out Pohang Steelers 2–1, and Barcelona overcome Atlante 3–1, with goals from Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, and Pedro.
The Grand Final
The final took place on December 19 at the Zayed Sports City Stadium. It was a tightly contested match against the South American champions, Estudiantes. Mauro Boselli gave Estudiantes an early lead in the 37th minute, and they held that advantage until the final moments of regulation time. Pedro equalized for Barcelona in the 89th minute, sending the game into extra time.
The deadlock was finally broken five minutes into the second half of extra time when Lionel Messi scored the winning goal, securing a 2–1 victory for the Catalan giants.
Tournament Logistics and Venues
The United Arab Emirates was appointed as the host by the FIFA Executive Committee on May 27, 2008, beating bids from Australia and Japan. All matches were hosted in Abu Dhabi across two primary venues:
- Zayed Sports City Stadium: Capacity of 50,000; hosted the final and placement matches.
- Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium: Capacity of 42,056.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | 9–19 December 2009 |
| Total Matches | 8 |
| Total Goals | 25 (3.13 per match) |
| Fair Play Award | Atlante |
| Total Prize Money | $16.5 million |
Prize Money Distribution
The tournament offered a significant financial incentive for the participating clubs, with a total prize pool of $16.5 million. The distribution was as follows:
- Winners: $5 million
- Runners-up: $4 million
- Third place: $2.5 million
- Fourth place: $2 million
- Fifth place: $1.5 million
- Sixth place: $1 million
- Seventh place: $0.5 million
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the top scorer of the 2009 tournament?
Denílson of the Pohang Steelers was the top scorer, netting a total of 4 goals during the competition.
Which player was named the best player of the tournament?
Lionel Messi of Barcelona received the Adidas Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
How many trophies did Barcelona win in 2009?
By winning the Club World Cup, Barcelona won a total of six competitions in the 2009 calendar year, breaking the European record.
Which ball was used during the matches?
The Adidas Jabulani, which later became the official match ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, was used for this tournament.
Which team won the Fair Play award?
The Mexican side Atlante was honored with the FIFA Fair Play Award.