In a year that lacked a major men’s international event, club football stole the headlines. Paris Saint‑Germain proved to be the standout side in Europe, securing their first European crown at the end of the season.
PSG finished the campaign by knocking out Inter Milan 5‑0 in the Champions League final in late May. Luis Enrique, the former Spain coach, praised the team’s unity over a collection of big‑name stars. He has assembled a side that blends technical skill with pace and aggression, and after a tenure of domestic dominance, the Parisian club finally broke through on the continental stage.
The night was driven by Ousmane Dembélé, who set a high bar and would later claim the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best Men’s Player awards. Despite a 3‑0 loss to Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final, PSG remain a dominant force in French football and look ready to challenge for another Champions League title next season.
Across the Channel, Liverpool clinched the Premier League title under new manager Arne Slot, who took over from Jürgen Klopp. Even with heavy summer spending, the Reds have struggled to find consistency, and Slot faces mounting pressure as his new signings fail to gel on the pitch.
In Spain, Barcelona earned a successful first season under Hansi Flick, winning La Liga while playing home games at the old Olympic Stadium due to the renovation of Camp Nou. The campaign was highlighted by the breakout of Lamine Yamal, and Flick also elevated players such as Raphinha, Pedri, Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres. Barcelona are poised to finish the year again at the top of La Liga and aim to compete in Europe, with a return to Camp Nou projected to ease financial pressure.
Real Madrid had a more turbulent year. Carlo Ancelotti’s side missed out on the league title and were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter‑finals, before Xabi Alonso took the helm ahead of the Club World Cup. Madrid were overpowered by PSG in the semi‑finals, and the season ended amid reports of dressing‑room unrest and renewed questions over Alonso after a string of poor results.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich reclaimed the Bundesliga crown, while Napoli secured Serie A with a 2‑0 win over Cagliari in the final round.
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup showcased European dominance, with five clubs reaching the quarter‑finals—a feat that underscored the prize money distribution sustaining the global game. The tournament also featured Brazil’s Fluminense and Palmeiras, and Saudi side Al‑Hilal. Fluminense beat Al‑Hilal before falling to Chelsea in the semi‑finals, and Chelsea produced a robust final to defeat a fatigued PSG side.
The competition raised concerns about player workload, as many camps faced a long season without a proper summer break ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Extreme heat and storms that caused temporary stoppages offered a warning for the next summer’s schedule.
Looking ahead, Spain enters 2026 World Cup preparations as a leading contender after an impressive qualifying campaign. Thomas Tuchel is gradually asserting his authority over England, while Argentina also look poised to challenge, though questions remain over Lionel Messi’s involvement.
Messi continued to headline the U.S. scene as Inter Miami captured the MLS title, with former La Liga stars Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets playing key roles. In South America, Flamengo lifted the Copa Libertadores, and Filipe Luis further cemented his reputation as one of the continent’s most promising young coaches.
Al‑Hilal’s run to the FIFA Club World Cup final and Al‑Ahli’s AFC Champions League triumph highlighted the impact of large spending in the Saudi Pro League, even as debates continue over whether the league’s rise is driven by imported talent or genuine local development.
In women’s football, England topped the rankings after defeating world‑champions Spain in the European Championship final. Spain found some consolation under new coach Sonia Bermúdez by beating Germany to win the UEFA Nations League in December.
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