<p><strong>Karim Benzema</strong>’s journey in Saudi Arabia has mirrored a classic soccer redemption arc — from maligned megastar to title-winning talisman. Once the subject of widespread discontent among fans and internal tensions within&nbsp;<strong>Al-Ittihad</strong>, Benzema has risen to become the emblem of their&nbsp;<strong>2024-25 Saudi Pro League</strong>&nbsp;triumph. His transformation wasn’t just about goals — though he delivered 21 of them — but about rebuilding trust, influence, and identity.</p>



<p>After arriving with great fanfare from Real Madrid in 2023,&nbsp;<strong>Benzema’s first year in Jeddah was anything but smooth</strong>. Struggling with injuries and criticized for an apparent lack of engagement, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner faced growing hostility. The situation worsened with former coach Marcelo Gallardo, whose falling-out with Benzema reportedly contributed to his sacking.</p>



<p><strong><em>“Gallardo wanted to bench Karim, and for us, that was a red line,”</em></strong>&nbsp;<strong>club president Loay Nazer revealed</strong>, explaining the club’s decision to part ways with the Argentine tactician.&nbsp;<strong><em>“Karim is integral to our vision.”</em></strong></p>



<h2>New regime and a ew Benzema</h2>



<p>The summer proved pivotal. Benzema played a quiet but powerful role in shaping the club’s direction, reportedly influencing the arrival of&nbsp;<strong>Laurent Blanc</strong>&nbsp;as head coach and key signings like&nbsp;<strong>Houssem Aouar</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Moussa Diaby</strong>. With so much sway behind the scenes, the pressure on the Frenchman to deliver was immense.</p>



<p><strong>And deliver he did.</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Al Ittihad crowned 2024/25 #RoshnSaudiLeague champions 🏆 | Highlights presented by Visit Saudi" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HYqaLCLV-dQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>In&nbsp;<strong>28 league appearances</strong>, Benzema notched&nbsp;<strong>21 goals and nine assists</strong>, directly contributing to&nbsp;<strong>30 goals</strong>. His performances weren’t just statistically impressive — they came when it mattered. From late winners to moments of inspiration in tight games, the Frenchman became the spine of a side that morphed from fractured to formidable.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/07175331/ronaldo-benzema-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="ronaldo benzema" class="wp-image-568764" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<h2>Sealing the title in style — In front of Ronaldo’s shadow</h2>



<p>On&nbsp;<strong>Matchday 32</strong>, Al-Ittihad clinched the title with a&nbsp;<strong>3-1 comeback win over Al-Raed</strong>&nbsp;at King Abdullah Sports City. Though Benzema missed the game through injury, he watched from the stands as his teammates completed the mission. After an early scare — Al-Raed scored in the 9th minute through Oumar Gonzalez — the People’s Club responded with goals from&nbsp;<strong>Steven Bergwijn, Danilo Pereira, and Abdulrahman Al Obood</strong>&nbsp;to seal the match and the league.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Al-Ittihad players celebrating with their fans after winning the #RSL title 🏆" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eowp_kKfyKk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>With this win,&nbsp;<strong>Al-Ittihad amassed 77 points</strong>, establishing a&nbsp;<strong>nine-point gap over Al-Hilal</strong>, which proved unassailable due to a superior head-to-head record. The triumph was particularly symbolic. In dethroning&nbsp;<strong>Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr</strong>, Benzema achieved something he never managed at Real Madrid —&nbsp;<strong>“taking Ronaldo’s crown”</strong>&nbsp;in the same domestic league. Despite Ronaldo finishing the season as top scorer with&nbsp;<strong>23 goals</strong>, Benzema’s trophy and leadership offered the ultimate reply in their long-standing silent rivalry.</p>



<h2>Karim Benzema trophies list 2025</h2>



<h3>Lyon (2004–2009)</h3>



<ul><li class=""><strong>Ligue 1</strong>: 2004–05, 2006–07</li><li class=""><strong>Coupe de France</strong>: 2007–08</li><li class=""><strong>Trophée des Champions</strong>: 2005, 2006, 2007</li></ul>



<h3>Real Madrid (2009–2023)</h3>



<ul><li><strong>La Liga</strong>: 2011–12, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23</li><li><strong>Copa del Rey</strong>: 2010–11, 2013–14</li><li><strong>Supercopa de España</strong>: 2012, 2017, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23</li><li><strong>UEFA Champions League</strong>: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22</li><li><strong>UEFA Super Cup</strong>: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022</li><li><strong>FIFA Club World Cup</strong>: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018</li></ul>



<h3>Al-Ittihad (2023–Present)</h3>



<ul><li><strong>Saudi Pro League:</strong> 2024–25</li></ul>



<h3>France National Team</h3>



<ul><li><strong>UEFA Nations League</strong>: 2020–21</li></ul>



<h3>Individual Honors (Selected)</h3>



<ul><li class=""><strong>Ballon d’Or</strong>: 2022</li><li class=""><strong>UEFA Champions League Top Scorer</strong>: 2021–22</li><li class="">Multiple top scorer awards in La Liga and Champions League seasons</li><li class=""><strong>French Player of the Year</strong>: Several times</li></ul>


Al-Ittihad clinches 10th Saudi Pro League title right under Cristiano Ronaldo’s nose — A look at Karim Benzema’s glittering trophy list

Al-Ittihad clinches 10th Saudi Pro League title right under Cristiano Ronaldo’s nose — A look at Karim Benzema’s glittering trophy list - World Soccer Talk

Al-Ittihad seals 10th Saudi Pro League title: Karim Benzema trophies list

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<p><strong>Barcelona has officially clinched its 28th La Liga title</strong>, sealing a dominant 2024-25 domestic campaign under&nbsp;<strong>Hansi Flick</strong>, who joined the club last May. The Blaugrana defeated Espanyol&nbsp;<strong>2-0 in the Catalan derby</strong>&nbsp;at the RCDE Stadium on Thursday, with goals from&nbsp;<strong>Lamine Yamal</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Fermin Lopez</strong>, confirming their status as the best team in Spain.</p>



<p>The win also marked&nbsp;<strong>Barcelona’s second La Liga title in three years</strong>, and perhaps more significantly, completed a&nbsp;<strong>domestic treble</strong>&nbsp;following their earlier victories in the&nbsp;<strong>Copa del Rey</strong>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<strong>Spanish Super Cup</strong>—both of which were&nbsp;<strong>won against arch-rivals Real Madrid</strong>.</p>



<h2>Season defined by rivalry and redemption</h2>



<p>Barcelona’s journey to the title was not without adversity. The campaign featured its&nbsp;<strong>share of dips and pressure moments</strong>, including a late-season challenge from&nbsp;<strong>Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid</strong>. A pivotal moment came just a week earlier in&nbsp;<strong>El Clasico</strong>, where&nbsp;<strong>Barcelona’s win over Madrid created the decisive points gap</strong>.</p>



<p>Though&nbsp;<strong>Real Madrid won their match against Mallorca</strong>&nbsp;shortly before the Catalan derby, it wasn’t enough.&nbsp;<strong>Barcelona’s win mathematically secured the title</strong>&nbsp;with two games to spare.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="ESPANYOL 0 vs 2 FC BARCELONA | CHAMPIONS!!! LALIGA 2024/25 MD36" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rXxhAY3zR5E?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>The title caps a&nbsp;<strong>historic season</strong>, where Barcelona not only returned to the summit of Spanish soccer but also&nbsp;<strong>defeated Real Madrid in all four official encounters</strong>&nbsp;across La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa. That feat alone added extra flavor to their campaign, signaling a shift in dominance back to Catalonia.</p>



<p>The club’s ability to&nbsp;<strong>blend youth and experience</strong>&nbsp;was pivotal.&nbsp;<strong>Pedri, Frenkie de Jong</strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>Lewandowski</strong>&nbsp;provided the stability, while Yamal and&nbsp;<strong>Fermin Lopez</strong>&nbsp;brought the flair and fearlessness needed to unlock tight games. Flick’s tactical nous—centered on&nbsp;<strong>high pressing, swift transitions, and positional discipline</strong>—has laid a foundation for long-term success.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="LA LIGA CHAMPIONS 2024/25 | This is how FC Barcelona celebrated the title | INSIDE VIEW 🔵🔴" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/InSHWHQ7PP8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<h2>Lewandowski: Experience and elegance</h2>



<p>While the league may be abuzz with&nbsp;<strong>Kylian Mbappe’s impact at Real Madrid</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Robert Lewandowski remains the Blaugrana’s talismanic figure up front</strong>. He may have suffered a dip in form following a hamstring injury and missed scoring in the final stretch of the season, but the&nbsp;<strong>Polish striker still ended with 40 goals in all competitions</strong>, tying with Mbappe.</p>



<p><strong>The Pole’s impact, however, goes beyond numbers.</strong>&nbsp;His positioning, aerial dominance, and veteran presence have been critical to Barcelona’s overall attacking cohesion. Though&nbsp;<strong>the French star statistically edges Lewandowski in passes, key passes, and set-piece conversion</strong>, the veteran’s role in mentoring Yamal and stabilizing the attack in Flick’s system is indisputable.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/06141526/Robert-Lewandoski-2-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="Robert Lewandoski celebrates a goal" class="wp-image-568528" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<h2>Robert Lewandowski trophies list 2025</h2>



<h3>Borussia Dortmund (2010–2014)</h3>



<ul><li class=""><strong>Bundesliga</strong>: 2010–11, 2011–12</li><li class=""><strong>DFB-Pokal</strong>: 2011–12</li><li class=""><strong>DFL-Supercup</strong>: 2013</li></ul>



<h3>Bayern Munich (2014–2022)</h3>



<ul><li class=""><strong>Bundesliga</strong>: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22 (8 titles)</li><li class=""><strong>DFB-Pokal</strong>: 2015–16, 2018–19, 2019–20</li><li class=""><strong>DFL-Supercup</strong>: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021</li><li class=""><strong>UEFA Champions League</strong>: 2019–20</li><li class=""><strong>UEFA Super Cup</strong>: 2020</li><li class=""><strong>FIFA Club World Cup</strong>: 2020</li></ul>



<h3>Barcelona (2022–Present)</h3>



<ul><li><strong>La Liga</strong>: 2022–23, 2024–25</li><li><strong>Copa del Rey:</strong> 2024–25</li><li><strong>Supercopa de España</strong>: 2022–23, 2024–25</li></ul>



<h3>Poland National Team</h3>



<p>While Lewandowski has not won major international tournaments with Poland, he is the <strong>nation’s all-time leading scorer</strong> and has captained the team at multiple UEFA Euro and FIFA World Cup tournaments.</p>



<h3>Individual Honors (Selected)</h3>



<ul><li class=""><strong>The Best FIFA Men’s Player</strong>: 2020, 2021</li><li class=""><strong>UEFA Men’s Player of the Year</strong>: 2020</li><li class=""><strong>European Golden Shoe</strong>: 2020–21, 2021–22</li><li class=""><strong>Bundesliga Top Scorer</strong>: 7 times</li><li class=""><strong>La Liga Top Scorer (Pichichi Trophy)</strong>: 2022–23</li></ul>


Barcelona clinches La Liga glory leaving Real Madrid behind: How Robert Lewandowski’s trophy list continues to impress

Barcelona clinches La Liga glory leaving Real Madrid behind: How Robert Lewandowski’s trophy list continues to impress - World Soccer Talk

Barcelona win La Liga for 28th time: Robert Lewandowski trophies list

<p>The USA will not win the World Cup in 2022, unfortunately for American supporters. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mistakes-cost-young-us-eliminated-by-netherlands-in-world-cup-20221203-WST-411058.html">A 3-1 loss</a> at the hands of the Netherlands assured that much.</p>



<p>Of course, it was a young American team with just a handful of callbacks to the team that failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. For instance, the USMNT was the <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1298094/average-player-age-national-teams-qatar-world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second-youngest team</a> at this year’s World Cup. Only Ghana, which exited in the group stage, had a younger side.</p>



<p>Therefore, the likes of Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna and the other young starlets gained invaluable experience. That experience can come in handy in 2026. Then, these players will play a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/10/how-many-countries-have-won-a-world-cup-on-home-turf/">World Cup on home soil</a>, a rare privilege for any player.</p>



<p>However, the question remains over whether or not the USA will ever win a World Cup. The signs for improvement in the squad are clear. The Stars and Stripes went toe to toe with England in the group stage, even if it was a draw. Plus, it got out of the group. That is something Germany, Belgium, Denmark and rivals Mexico cannot say.</p>



<p>At the same time, while the US shows progress, other, more soccer-centric nations, show as much, if not more, progress. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/france-squad-isnt-as-deep-as-the-world-first-feared-20221203-WST-410911.html">France</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/england-releases-26-man-squad-for-world-cup-20221110-WST-407579.html">England</a> both fielded young squads at the 2018 World Cup. While France won, England finished fourth. The two sides poised to meet in the quarterfinals of 2022 are among the favorites and, yet again, each are in the top-10 youngest squads at this World Cup. </p>



<h2>Can the USA win a World Cup in our lifetime?</h2>



<p>Regardless, the potential and projections for this batch of American talent is something to celebrate. There are players at top clubs across Europe, and Major League Soccer continues to grow as it is.</p>



<p>Winning the World Cup is a tall task, particularly as only eight countries can say it won the competition in its history. On top of that, only nations from Europe and South America claim the honor. The farthest a North American team went was the United States, but that was before WWII when it finished third.</p>



<p>So, what say you? Can the USA actually win the World Cup in our lifetime? If so, what needs to happen for that dream to become a reality?</p>



<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
</div>
</div>


Will the USA ever win a World Cup in our lifetime?

Can the USA win a World Cup in our lifetime? It will not be this year, but there are signs for potential in the next several tournaments.

Will the USA ever win a World Cup in our lifetime? - World Soccer Talk

<p>The countries with the most World Cup soccer titles are an elite group.</p>
<p>These nations have history of producing world class talent each year. Therefore, they are always in the mix for contention when the World Cup rolls around every four years.</p>
<p>In the 21 editions of the tournament, only eight countries out of FIFA’s 211 members won the World Cup. Then, six of those can say they won the competition multiple times. Spain and England are the only countries to win just one World Cup Final. Interestingly, three countries played in more World Cup Finals than both Spain and England. However, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Hungary all came up short on multiple occasions.</p>
<p>There is certainly overlap between where the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/04/21/world-cup-top-scorers-of-all-time/">best players in the history of the game</a> come from and which country has the most World Cup soccer titles. Pele, Diego Maradona, Gerd Muller and more all played crucial roles in lifting the World Cup.</p>
<p>However, Pele stands out. As a member of the Brazil National Team, he is the only player to claim three World Cups as a player. Plenty of Brazilians won two with Brazil winning three World Cups in four tournaments from 1958 to 1970.</p>
<p>Therefore, Brazil built its pedigree as one of the most successful countries at the World Cup. Despite last winning over 20 years ago, Brazil remains the country with the most World Cup titles in history.</p>
<h3>The country with the most World Cup soccer titles</h3>
<p>	table.tableizer-table {<br>		font-size: 12px;<br>		border: 1px solid #CCC;<br>		font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;<br>	}<br>	.tableizer-table td {<br>		padding: 4px;<br>		margin: 3px;<br>		border: 1px solid #CCC;<br>	}<br>	.tableizer-table th {<br>		background-color: #104E8B;<br>		color: #FFF;<br>		font-weight: bold;<br>	}</p>
<table class="tableizer-table">
<thead>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th>Country</th>
<th>World Cup wins</th>
<th>Runner-up finishes</th>
<th>Years won</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Brazil</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">5</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Germany</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1954, 1974, 1990, 2014</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Italy</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1934, 1938, 1982, 2006</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Argentina</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1978. 1986</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>France</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1998, 2018</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Uruguay</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1930, 1950</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>England</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1966</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Spain</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2010</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>There are interesting things to note regarding Brazil being the country with the most World Cup wins. From 1950 to 2002, the World Cup Final featured one of Brazil or Germany/West Germany each tournament except for one. That exception is when Argentina defeated the Netherlands in 1978. Only once did Brazil and Germany play each other in a Final: 2002 when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/30/worldcupfootball2002.sport19">Oliver Kahn’s mistake in goal</a> opened up a lead Brazil would not relinquish.</p>
<p>Something else not listed in the table above are the efforts of the Netherlands. Despite three World Cup Final appearances, the Netherlands lost against West Germany, Argentina and Spain.</p>
<p>While the host of the World Cup switches each year, it is always more fun from a neutral fan’s perspective when they host nation does well. Having the support of a nation on full display provides more excitement. Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Uruguay and England all won the World Cup on home soil at some point. Brazil despite both being the country with the most World Cup titles and hosting the competition twice, is not one of those teams. In 1950, over 150,000 fans watched Brazil lose in the final against Uruguay. Then, in 2014, a crushing 7-1 defeat in the semifinals sent the hosts packing.</p>
<p>All these teams enter the World Cup each year with hopes of adding to their trophy cabinet. That is, of course, leaving out Italy, which failed to qualify for a second-consecutive World Cup in 2022.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>


What country has the most World Cup soccer titles?

Eight nations have won the World Cup. Of these soccer giants, which country actually has the most World Cup titles in the competition?

What country has the most World Cup soccer titles? - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/football.co.uk/upl/nejournal/apr2009/8/8/west-auckland-s-cup-heroes-776170741.jpg" alt="" width="460" height="300"></figure></div>
<p>As it’s World Cup draw week, I thought I’d share one of my favourite football stories with you, about the first ever World Cup, though it was only for domestic sides at the time.I heard this story for the first time when I was nine, due to it being made in to a television drama in 1981, called <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Cup-Captains-Tale-VHS/dp/B00004D2XM" target="_blank">a Captain’s Tale.</a> It made a real impression on me, because it seemed so far fetched, yet was true and here’s how it happened.</p>
<p>After the success of the first Olympic football tournament at the London Olympics of 1908, a gentleman by the name of Sir Thomas Lipton had an idea to have a World Cup. Whilst the Olympic tournament had been for amateur players only, Lipton wanted the best professional club sides in the world to compete for a trophy, which would be called the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy. He approached the English F.A. who refused to have anything to do with such a nonsense.</p>
<p></p>
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/images/995540/?type=display" alt="" width="310" height="419"></figure></div>
<p>It was sad to say, but in those days, the English F.A. tended to look down at most countries in the world and upheld it’s insular and rather outdated opinions for far too long. Suffice to say, they refused to play in the first 3 official world cups, as of course, England believed they were the best in the world and had no need to prove it by playing horrible little foreign teams. Maybe in those first 3 World Cups, England could have added another trophy to the meagre one World Cup win in the last 80 years, we’ll never know but it wouldn’t have hurt to have a go.</p>
<p>So, rebuffed by the English F.A., an employee of Sir Thomas Lipton suggested an amateur side be chosen, as the F.A couldn’t interfere and a request went out to the teams in <a href="http://www.northernleague.org/view_div1_tables.php">the Northern League</a>, which is still functioning and is part of the English non league pyramid system. The only side that came back with interest were West Auckland F.C., a side made up of coal miners from Durham. So, Lipton accepted them as England’s representatives and the team had to travel to Turin.</p>
<div style="width: 444px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/football.co.uk/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Thomas_Johnstone_Lipton.jpg" alt="Sir Thomas Lipton" width="434" height="393"></figure></div><p class="wp-caption-text">Sir Thomas Lipton</p></div>
<p>Now, somehow, this little team of coalminers managed to raise the majority of the funds required to travel all the way to Turin, most of them pawning personal possessions to enable them to reach their destination but it proved a sacrifice worth making. Drawn against top German side, Stuttgarter Sportfruende, in the semi final,&nbsp; Auckland ran out 2-0 winners and amazingly went on to beat F.C. Winterthur 2-0 too to become the first winners of the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy.</p>
<p>Returning to Durham as heroes, the club were once again invited to defend the trophy in 1911, but this time the opposition were a little more familiar. Facing the defending champions in the semi-finals were F.C. Zurich, but once again the amateurs would not buckle to the better equipped side and once again triumphed 2-0. This then set up a mesmerising final against the home side, Italian giants Juventus but amazingly West Auckland thrashed them 6-1.</p>
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/images/888164/?type=display" alt="" width="310" height="486"></figure></div>
<p>Under the rules of the tournament, West Auckland were allowed to keep the trophy, but this is were the tale takes a sad turn. Almost bankrupted in no small part due to the travelling to Italy twice in two years, the team had to pawn the trophy to their landlady to cover debts but the side still went under in 1912.The club reformed in 1914 as <a href="http://www.westaucklandtownfc.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Auckland Town</a> and returned to the Northern League where they still remain to this day.</p>
<p>As for the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, it remained in the landlady’s family until 1960, when an appeal by the village of West Auckland saw them buy it back. Yet tragedy struck the club once more, when it was stolen in 1994 and has never been found since. A replica was commissioned and that now stands in the clubhouse, securely held a safe cabinet. This year also saw the club play Juventus in a friendly to <a href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/West-Auckland-village-football-team-take-on-Juventus-to-celebrate-winning-the-first-World-Cup-1909-article27070.html" target="_blank">celebrate the centenary of that first win</a>, which they lost 7-1, but fair play on Juventus for enabling the club to celebrate what must go down as one of the strangest stories in English football.</p>

West Auckland F.C., The First World Champions!

West Auckland F.C., The First World Champions! - World Soccer Talk

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West Auckland F.C., The First World Champions!