Oman today_ The year 2025 was an exciting and remarkable one for the world of football, even without major tournaments like the Euro or the World Cup. Football around the globe was full of unforgettable moments, with one of the highlights being the Club World Cup, held in a new and controversial format. Chelsea added this trophy to their collection after winning the Conference League, marking a significant achievement. Yet, the main story of 2025 unfolded in Paris, where Luis Enrique captured widespread attention with his unique project at Paris Saint-Germain. Following Kylian Mbappé’s departure, the team not only remained strong but became even more complete, with a more cohesive structure, collective style, and stars thriving within Enrique’s system. Ousmane Dembélé stood out, winning the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Best Player award, while Vitinha played a crucial role as the brain of the midfield.
The year also saw unexpected surprises. Scott McTominay, whose career was doubted after leaving Manchester, shone in Serie A and was named the league’s best player of the season. In England, Oliver Glasner led Crystal Palace to a historic FA Cup victory over Manchester City, an achievement that will be remembered for years. Harry Kane, after years of effort, finally lifted his first major career trophy with Bayern Munich, creating one of the most iconic moments of the year.
Other players and coaches also made 2025 memorable. Enzo Maresca brought Chelsea to Conference League and Club World Cup glory, demonstrating that he could be Pep Guardiola’s future successor. Filipe Luís applied everything he had learned under Simeone and Jorge Jesus to lead Flamengo to a league and cup double in Brazil, narrowly missing a third title in the Intercontinental Cup. Vincenzo Italiano guided Bologna to their first trophy in half a century, defeating a strong AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final. Lamin Yamal, though ranked tenth in our list of most influential figures, possesses immense talent and could soon reclaim a top spot in the world.
The year 2025 proved that football can create unforgettable stories even without major national tournaments. It celebrated stars and coaches who changed the game and created moments that fans will remember for years. It showed that a combination of talent, innovative coaching, and collective performance can elevate football to the highest levels of excitement and beauty.