FIFA Club World Cup 2017: 5 records that could be broken
The FIFA Club World Cup 2017 is well underway under the sweltering sun of United Arabic Emirates. Having started off with seven teams - one each from the seven confederations - only three remain as defending champions Real Madrid take on the local side Al-Jazira, with the winner earning themselves a showdown against Gremio of Brazil in the final this Sunday.
With Los Blancos already making history by becoming the first side to qualify for the annual tournament for two successive years, here are some more records that are there for the taking.
#1 Real Madrid can become the first side to retain the trophy
The FIFA Club World Cup comes with its own prestige and glamour, and the teams have a chance to end their year on a high by claiming the trophy. However, none have done so for two years running. In comes the club from the Spanish capital.
Los Blancos, having won two back-to-back Champions League titles, now have a chance to rewrite history by going all the way in Abu Dhabi and become the first team to retain their illustrious world championship.
The likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, AC Milan all boast multiple Club World Cup titles, but nobody could win it twice in a row. And that's perhaps because they couldn't win the Champions League consecutively. Simple as that.
But now, another hoodoo is about to be broken. Real Madrid are clear favourites to retain the trophy.