Something about this year’s Club World Cup final makes it seem singularly important, more so than previous ones. It’s the magnificent Messi against Neymar, the latest young Brazilian phenom. It’s old guard versus new, the real Messi versus the next one …

Unlike the better-known FIFA World Cup, the Club World Cup isn’t supposed to have the best teams. This would go against all doctrines of inclusiveness. The Club World Cup is a competition among champions of each continent, similar to the FIFA Confederations Cup, but more predictable.

The New Zealand semi-pros get eliminated after one game. Also playing are the Mexicans, as well as the Africans, usually represented by an Arab nation. The Asian delegation is either from South Korea or Japan, depending on the year. The South Americans send a team from Brazil or Argentina. And then there is the European superclub. The Barcelonas or Manchester Uniteds who, by selling their star player, can pay all of the salaries of the tournament’s other teams.

Generally Europe beats South America in the final. Sometimes, by fluke, the reverse happens. Last year was a near calamity when TP Mazembe from Congo beat S.C. Internacional to reach the final. This total disregard for the unwritten rules resulted in a boring final between Inter Milan and TP Mazembe. After winning the trophy, Inter coach Benitez got fired.

If you get fired after winning a world title, it might be time to look over why you went there in the first place. But this year’s participants, who behaved in a far more acceptable manner, have ensured the most thrilling final in its history. It isn’t about the teams. It’s about the players.

There is so much hype surrounding the teenage Neymar that Messi will have to prove that he still is better. Instead of Neymar establishing himself, Messi must demonstrate that he will be the world’s best for a long time.

Brazil is a country of strong football allegiances, but it has united around Santos, or more specifically Neymar. As Yann de Gouvello, a young Brazilian supporter of Vasco da Gama, is hoping for an upset this weekend, declaring, “I support Santos because of Neymar and Ganso.”

On any other day of the week, Santos, Ganso, and Neymar in particular, would be everybody’s enemy. Fans would hope that he would not have the chance to score or display his mesmerizing skill. But Neymar is no ordinary player.

Neymar is not the generic Brazilian starlet who runs off to Europe at age 18 to pursue his dreams of glory. He is the symbol of a future that Brazilian fans want to believe in, one that includes victory at the World Cup. And he has opted to remain in Brazil despite numerous offers from the world’s best teams.

If Neymar were an ordinary superstar he would have left Santos long ago. Instead, he is staying on until the FIFA World Cup, which will take place in his homeland in 2014. Although the financial gap between shining in Brazil and competing at the highest level is enormous, it is unclear whether this will always be the case. The exorbitant salary that Santos was able to offer Neymar can obviously compete with European wages.

The reason why Brazil has always been unable to sustain a top league is economic. Despite having the biggest and most passionate fan base, Brazil cannot compete financially with Spain or England. In recent decades, an unstable economic and political system has hampered the league’s growth.

Brazil’s recently booming economy has been reflected in soccer. High profile Brazilians such as Ronaldinho, Adriano, and Elano have opted to come home. The new generation of stars is in no hurry to leave. The likes of Neymar, Ganso, and Dede are still shining in Brazil.

With the Eurozone quivering on the brink of a financial collapse, it isn’t hard to imagine an exodus of La Liga and Serie A players. Brazil, which hosts one of the best leagues outside of Europe, could be a possible destination. 

The Brazilian game still has much to improve. High wages such as those enjoyed by Neymar are the exception rather than the rule. So, for the time being, Brazil is incapable of attracting famous foreigners. To catch up to Europe in the next few years is still highly unlikely, almost as improbable as Santos winning the Club World Cup.

But Santos, Brazil, and Neymar must not be written off. Not with this much talent.