The world of football in 2025 has been a whirlwind of soaring achievements, personal dramas, and unexpected controversies. From dietary secrets powering goal machines to courtroom battles and enduring legends breaking new records, the sport continues to captivate global audiences.
Superfoods and Super Goals: The Haaland Phenomenon
Manchester City's goal-scoring machine, Erling Haaland, has attributed part of his phenomenal fitness to an unusual dietary choice: raw milk. The Norwegian striker is known to visit a farm in Cheshire to source his bottles locally. This so-called 'superfood' seems to be working wonders. For City, he has netted 25 times in just 23 matches. His international form is even more staggering, scoring 13 goals in 5 matches for Norway, including a five-goal haul (a 'fifer') against Moldova in September that helped secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Boardroom Battles and On-Field Brilliance
Paris Saint-Germain's transformation into European champions under Luis Enrique is a 2025 success story, built on discipline and teamwork. However, the club lost a significant off-field battle against their former talisman, Kylian Mbappe. The conflict arose when PSG slashed the Frenchman's salary, withholding a substantial 'ethics bonus'. Mbappe's legal riposte was successful, with a court ordering PSG to pay €60 million in unpaid wages. At his new club, Real Madrid, Mbappe has been brilliant, scoring 59 goals in 59 games to equal Cristiano Ronaldo's club record for most goals in a calendar year.
Enduring Legends and Global Fan Frenzy
While playing in leagues like the Saudi Pro League and MLS, legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continue to dominate the international stage. Ronaldo became the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifiers with 41 goals, netting a brace against Hungary. Not to be outdone, Lionel Messi, hours later, provided a double assist for Argentina against Puerto Rico, making him the supreme provider in international football with 59 assists, surpassing Neymar's record. The fan frenzy during Messi's whirlwind India tour for his 'G.O.A.T.' visit, which included a trip to Anant Ambani's Vantara, proved the undimmed global adulation for these icons.
Other Major Headlines from the Football World
The year also saw poignant and challenging moments. Liverpool and football fans worldwide mourned the tragic loss of Portuguese striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in Zamora. A heartfelt tribute at Anfield read, 'How many times did we say: Just bring Jota on'.
In Spain, young star Lamine Yamal faced intense public scrutiny and social media backlash post-Euro 2024, with his personal life and lifestyle dissected, prompting advice from veteran Cristiano Ronaldo to let the 18-year-old grow without excessive pressure.
Plans for global league expansion hit roadblocks. La Liga's initiative to host a Barcelona vs. Villarreal match in Miami was cancelled after widespread protests, and a similar Serie A plan for AC Milan vs. Como in Perth was scrapped.
Finally, in a flash of off-pitch glamour, Cristiano Ronaldo's partner, Georgina Rodriguez, sparked viral attention with an oversized diamond engagement ring valued between $2 and $5 million, a glittering symbol of the footballer's lavish lifestyle.
