Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov has responded to recent criticism of the FIFA Club World Cup, firmly defending the tournament while questioning the complaints made by Jürgen Klopp and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
Softfootball gathered that Klopp previously described the competition as the “worst idea ever in football,” while Maresca expressed frustration after a Club World Cup match was delayed for two hours due to weather, calling the situation a “joke.”
Speaking to El Mundo, Stoichkov admitted he was surprised by Klopp’s remarks and believes the competition deserves far more appreciation.
I didn’t expect that from Jürgen. I have so much respect for him that maybe if he’s a little angry it’s because Salzburg aren’t (any longer) in the competition because he’s a director of Red Bull.
When Liverpool were playing nobody complained, when they receive money nobody complains. I think we need to have more respect in these tournaments.
Stoichkov also praised FIFA’s approach to the expanded Club World Cup, highlighting the unique opportunity it provides for teams from different football cultures and tactical backgrounds to compete on a global stage.
I had the chance to play in it in the past, when it was just a few matches, but I think that both Gianni (Infantino) and FIFA have done something different.
You bring together many cultures, new systems, new tactics, many different teams that didn’t know each other before playing in a tournament like this.
The former midfielder further defended the tournament’s atmosphere and dismissed concerns about weather‑related interruptions, insisting the competition remains a valuable and exciting global event.
