Where were you in 1999? If you’re reading The RoadRunner chances are you probably weren’t even alive, so I’ll tell you a little bit of what the world looked like back then for two football teams in particular, Manchester City and Fluminense. Both teams found themselves buried in the third division of their respective leagues, something not too common for big teams. Fast-forward to today, and it’s almost surreal seeing them clash in the FIFA Club World Cup final.
The story I’m about to tell you isn’t just a football story; it’s a story about never giving up, about how today’s losers can become tomorrow’s champions. A reminder that in soccer just as in life, anything’s possible.
In the late 1990s, Manchester City faced one of its lowest points in their 143 years of history. After a series of relegations, they found themselves in the third tier of English football. However, the 1998-99 season marked a turning point. A dramatic playoff final victory against Gillingham, where they overturned a 2-0 deficit in the dying minutes before coming out on top in a penalty shootout, secured their promotion back to second-tier football.
Similarly, Fluminense, a Brazilian football club based in Rio also experienced a dramatic fall around. Relegated to the Série C ( Brazil’s third division) in 1998, they fought back and clinched the Série C championship in 1999. This victory set them on a path back to Brazil’s top-flight football.
Fast forward to 2023, and these two clubs, who not too long ago were in the depths of third-tier football, faced each other in the FIFA Club World Cup final.
The championship which is a one-of-a-kind event brings together all the continental champions of the world of World to play in a knock-out style tournament. The 2023 edition was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and marked the 20th edition of the tournament
This edition of the FIFA Club
World Cup saw Manchester City be crowned champions, defeating Fluminense 4-0 in a one-sided final. The match will be remembered for the early goal by Julian Alvarez, just 45 seconds in, setting the tone for City’s dominance. Phil Foden and an own goal by Fluminense’s Nino added to the tally, with Alvarez sealing the deal with his second strike.
This victory marked another milestone for Manchester City, adding the Club World Cup to their impressive trophy cabinet.
This edition of the Club World Cup holds particular significance as it is the last in its current format. Starting in 2025, the tournament is set to expand, featuring 32 teams and adopting a four-year cycle. This change aims to increase the competition’s global appeal and give more clubs a chance at international glory.
The stories of Manchester City and Fluminense tell of two teams who rose from the ashes of third-tier football to the biggest stage of the sport, reminding us of the unpredictable and beautiful nature of football. Their journeys, marked by moments of despair and triumph, reflect the essence of why we love sport. It is proof that no matter how bad things look right now, stay at it because tomorrow can be better.
