Chelsea are aiming to become only the third English team to win the FIFA Club World Cup.Manchester United first won the tournament back in 2008, defeating Ecuadorian outfit LDU Quito in the final, while Liverpool lifted the trophy in 2019 with victory over Brazilian side Flamengo.Chelsea take on Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal on Wednesday in the semi-finals. Win that and they’ll face South American champions Palmeiras in this weekend’s final, which takes place at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.Among the relatively small group of English players to have a FIFA Club World Cup winners’ medal in his collection is Man Utd hero Paul Scholes.The legendary English midfielder won a host of major honours during his glittering career at Old Trafford including 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and, as mentioned, the FIFA Club World Cup.A second-half goal from Wayne Rooney in Yokohama earned United a 1-0 win over LDU Quito back in December 2008.

Paul Scholes: Badminton trophy meant more than Club World Cup

However, in an amusing interview with BBC 5 Live Sport after Liverpool’s triumph in 2019, Scholes insisted that his local badminton trophy - yes, really - means more to him that his FIFA Club World Cup winners’ medal.

Asked how much the FIFA Club World Cup meant to him as a player, Scholes said: “Ummm… Well you want to win it once you’re there but I don’t think it was ever something that we were desperate to win. Even now if someone said to you ‘what trophies did you win over the years?’ I don’t think we’d mention the World Cup Championship, I really don’t.

“I’m not joking! I’m serious!

Gamba Osaka v Manchester United - FIFA Club World Cup 2008
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 18: Paul Scholes of Manchester United and Satoshi Yamaguchi of Gamba Osaka compete for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008 semi final match between Gamba Osaka and Manchester United at the International Stadium Yokohama on December 18, 2008 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)

“But you know what, it’s like anything else. It might take more importance over the years. It looks like Liverpool have enjoyed it, celebrated it and will probably mention it and why not - but just when we were playing it wasn’t that serious, I don’t think.

“But not you look back I suppose you’re quite happy but it’s not something you set out to do as a player.”

Scholes then had everyone in the studio cracking up by admitting his badminton trophy meant more to him.

Watch the interview here:

Players in other countries view FIFA Club World Cup differently

The FIFA Club World Cup is viewed very differently by players in other countries - particularly in South America.

Teams from South America are desperate to perform well in the tournament each year.

Palmeiras have never won the FIFA Club World Cup before and for many of their players and the club’s supporters it would be a dream come true if they win Saturday’s final.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 08: Fans of Palmeiras show their support during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 Semi Final match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly at Al Nahyan Stadium on February 08, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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