https://www.theguardian.com/football Latest Football news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Mon, 25 May 2026 13:16:28 GMT 2026-05-25T13:16:28Z en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/nuno-leave-west-ham-talks-relegation <ul><li><p>Manager’s deal allows for summer parting of ways </p></li><li><p>Scott Parker and Gary O’Neil of interest to West Ham</p></li></ul><p>West Ham are expected to part company with Nuno Espírito Santo after their relegation from the Premier League. The manager has been called in for talks with the board and discussions are likely to end with the Portuguese leaving.</p><p>Nuno <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/nuno-and-bowen-refuse-to-commit-futures-to-west-ham-after-relegation">refused to talk about his future</a> after West Ham’s descent into the Championship was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/west-ham-leeds-premier-league-match-report">confirmed on Sunday</a>. The former Nottingham Forest manager’s three-year deal contains a clause that allows West Ham to sack him without paying compensation. Nuno is also free to walk away.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/nuno-leave-west-ham-talks-relegation">Continue reading...</a> West Ham United Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 11:30:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/nuno-leave-west-ham-talks-relegation Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Jacob Steinberg 2026-05-25T11:30:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/25/notts-county-v-salford-league-two-playoff-final-live <p>⚽ League Two playoff final at Wembley; kick-off 3pm BST<br>⚽ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/stockport-bolton-league-one-playoff-final-match-report">Bolton 4-1 Stockport</a> | <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/sport.theguardian.com">Follow us on Bluesky</a> | <a href="mailto:will.unwin@theguardian.com">Email Will</a></p><p><strong>I have a tenuous collection articles to fit all events. I went to speak to Salford’s Fabio Borini back in October.</strong></p><p>From Liverpool to Salford, it’s been a fun journey.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/25/notts-county-v-salford-league-two-playoff-final-live">Continue reading...</a> League Two Notts County Salford City Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 13:11:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/25/notts-county-v-salford-league-two-playoff-final-live Photograph: Jez Tighe/ProSports/Shutterstock Photograph: Jez Tighe/ProSports/Shutterstock Photograph: Jez Tighe/ProSports/Shutterstock Will Unwin 2026-05-25T13:11:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/roberto-de-zerbi-spurs-saved-disaster-james-maddison-senesi-robertson <ul><li><p>Maddison and Gallagher pay tribute to coach’s impact</p></li><li><p>Spurs expected to sign Senesi and Robertson on frees</p></li></ul><p>Tottenham would probably have suffered the disaster of relegation from the Premier League if it were not for the decision to bring in Roberto De Zerbi for Igor Tudor, according to James Maddison and Conor Gallagher.</p><p>Spurs made the managerial change with seven games to go and the team in free fall after a run of one point from six matches under Tudor. De Zerbi rebuilt confidence and guided the club to survival, the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/tottenham-everton-premier-league-match-report">1-0 home win over Everton</a> on Sunday ensuring that they finished above West Ham, who went down. De Zerbi’s record shows three wins, two draws and two defeats.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/roberto-de-zerbi-spurs-saved-disaster-james-maddison-senesi-robertson">Continue reading...</a> Tottenham Hotspur Roberto De Zerbi Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 11:00:24 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/roberto-de-zerbi-spurs-saved-disaster-james-maddison-senesi-robertson Photograph: Chloe Knott/Tottenham Hotspur FC/Shutterstock Photograph: Chloe Knott/Tottenham Hotspur FC/Shutterstock Photograph: Chloe Knott/Tottenham Hotspur FC/Shutterstock David Hytner 2026-05-25T11:00:24Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-players-of-the-season <p>Two deadly strikers, two creative forces and an all-but unbeatable goalkeeper make up our picks for the season</p><p>The adulation offers a fine indication of how good the Manchester United captain has been this season. At the start, he was dragging Ruben Amorim’s interpretation of a team through matches and spent the past five months leading Michael Carrick’s unified side. Awards and records keep coming his way; winning the Football Writers’ Association player of the season award was swiftly followed by picking up a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/brighton-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report">record Premier League assist tally of 21 at Brighton</a> on the final day of the season. Considering United were very open to selling Fernandes less than a year ago, one wonders what would have happened at Old Trafford without him. “At one point I was going to leave – I won’t say where – but I would have won many trophies that season. I decided to stay not only for family reasons but because I genuinely like the club,” Fernandes told Canal 11. “But from the club’s side, I felt a bit of: ‘If you go, it’s not really that bad for us.’ That hurts me a little. More than hurting, it makes me sad, because I’m a player they have nothing to criticise me for. I’m always available for every match, I always play, whether well or badly. I give my maximum.” Fernandes brings incredible intelligence and work rate on the pitch, supported by stunning technique that has put him above his United teammates, who all feed off him. It is hard to argue that any other Premier League captain is more influential than Fernandes and United have reaped the awards.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-players-of-the-season">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 07:00:21 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-players-of-the-season Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Will Unwin 2026-05-25T07:00:21Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-flops-of-the-season <p>From Wissa’s solitary goal for Newcastle to Postecoglou’s brief reign at Forest, it’s been a campaign to forget for some</p><p>Newcastle’s year-long chase to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford felt like it would never end until they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/sep/01/newcastle-agree-55m-deal-to-sign-yoane-wissa-from-brentford">paid £55m for his services</a> in September. The Democratic Republic of the Congo forward arrived after banging in 19 goals for Brentford last season and was supposed to lead the charge for Eddie Howe in the Premier League and Europe. In reality it has been a whimpering experience. Admittedly, none of Newcastle’s attacking recruitment paid off; Wissa sat on the bench alongside £65m Nick Woltemade and £55m Anthony Elanga in the April defeat away to Crystal Palace where the manager preferred to start Jacob Murphy and Will Osula. Wissa has scored once in 13 league appearances, starting only four times because he does not fit into the system and has not built the level of rapport he had with Bryan Mbeumo. The team as a whole has struggled, finishing 12th, a drop of seven places from last season, meaning they will not be returning to Europe. With <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/15/premier-league-news-howe-hints-at-gordon-farewell-as-senesi-heads-for-bournemouth-exit">Anthony Gordon expected to depart</a> in the coming months, having faith in the reinvestment is not a given.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-flops-of-the-season">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 09:00:22 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-flops-of-the-season Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Will Unwin 2026-05-25T09:00:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-managers-of-the-season <p>From the experience of Emery to European-bound Le Bris there are a handful of managers whose work stood out</p><p>Promoted through the playoffs, Sunderland began the season as white-hot favourites to go straight back down but never once flirted with relegation and a win over Chelsea on the final day secured Europa League qualification. Their success was rooted in an inspired summer recruitment drive that prompted Le Bris to ruthlessly phase out most of his promotion-winning squad and replace them with a winning mix of raw young talent and seasoned leadership. Tactically flexible and a study in touchline equanimity, the 50-year-old Breton is an expert in tailoring his team’s approach to their opposition but tends to favour lightning-fast transitions before getting the ball wide in matches against teams he expects to beat. Victories <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/14/sunderland-newcastle-premier-league-match-report">at home</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/22/newcastle-sunderland-premier-league-match-report">away over Newcastle</a> mean his legendary status on Wearside is already cemented and the concern now for Sunderland fans is that executives at more high-profile clubs will have taken note of the stellar job he has done in his two seasons at the Stadium of Light.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-managers-of-the-season">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 08:00:21 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-managers-of-the-season Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Barry Glendenning 2026-05-25T08:00:21Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-goals-of-the-season <p>Dominik Szoboszlai and Alex Iwobi redefined the idea of possibility but Leandro Trossard’s mattered most</p><p>With most free-kicks, we’ve a decent idea where the taker can put them, which is why <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB5pe157reo">Dominik Szoboszlai’s effort against Arsenal</a>, though it was a brilliant late winner, hasn’t been picked here: the execution, replete with whip and dip, was perfect, but we knew in advance that what turned out to be possible was possible. On the other hand, his goal against Manchester City – which edges <a href="https://youtu.be/UOiWRrWlwq4?si=eBMzkW-OlG4tk47f&amp;t=34">Anton Stach’s for Leeds at Villa</a> – was a mind-boggler. It’s fair to wonder why the wall contained only two men, but equally so to counter that he was so far out, the keeper wanted a decent view – and didn’t he get the perfect aspect. Hit with the laces, the ball jiggling, dipping and swerving at improbable angles, Gianluigi Donnarumma anticipated an inswinger then, when it turned out to be an outswinger, didn’t even get to attempt a save because, once it was clear which way the shot was actually going, it was far, far too late, a cursory step in the right direction all he had time for as an incredible, unsaveable effort shrieked past him and in off the post, three-quarters of the way up.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-goals-of-the-season">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 08:30:20 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-goals-of-the-season Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Daniel Harris 2026-05-25T08:30:20Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/como-roma-champions-league-juventus-milan-serie-a-chaos <p>The battle for the top four in Italy was overshadowed by violence in Turin, where Juve joined Milan in missing out</p><p>The stage was set for a grand finale: five games to settle season-long battles at either end of the Serie A table. Top spot was decided – <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/04/inter-serie-a-christian-chivu-gamble-21st-scudetto">Inter claimed their 21st Scudetto</a> at the start of this month – but there were four teams contesting two Champions League berths, while Lecce and Cremonese fought to escape relegation. All of them would play simultaneously. Or at least, that was the plan.</p><p>Among these five games was a derby between Torino and Juventus. As kick-off approached, supporters clashed close to the stadium. One, a 36-year-old Juve fan named Marco Leonardo Basoccu, was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after suffering a head wound.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/como-roma-champions-league-juventus-milan-serie-a-chaos">Continue reading...</a> Serie A European club football Football Sport Juventus Milan Como Mon, 25 May 2026 12:39:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/como-roma-champions-league-juventus-milan-serie-a-chaos Photograph: Davide Casentini/EPA Photograph: Davide Casentini/EPA Photograph: Davide Casentini/EPA Nicky Bandini 2026-05-25T12:39:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/who-can-best-stand-the-heat-will-sort-the-winners-from-losers-at-the-world-cup <p>In today’s newsletter, how quick starts, keeping the ball and banking on the bench will help the finalists beat the high temperatures and humidity</p><p>Graeme Souness is one of the toughest footballers of all time, a midfield titan for Liverpool and Scotland in the 1970s and 1980s. He was occasionally outwitted by subtler players such as the Brazilian genius Zico, but no opponent ever got the better of him physically.</p><p>No human opponent, anyway. During the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Souness lost a stone in weight (6.35kg) against West Germany at Querétaro in stifling heat and at high altitude. “I can remember going down on my haunches and thinking: ‘God, do I not feel good,’” he said. “It was the worst I ever felt on a football pitch. I couldn’t breathe.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/who-can-best-stand-the-heat-will-sort-the-winners-from-losers-at-the-world-cup">Continue reading...</a> Football World Cup 2026 World Cup Environment Sport US sports Mon, 25 May 2026 10:50:23 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/who-can-best-stand-the-heat-will-sort-the-winners-from-losers-at-the-world-cup Photograph: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters Photograph: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters Photograph: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters Rob Smyth 2026-05-25T10:50:23Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-gripes-of-the-season <p>The most infuriating things, including mayhem at set pieces, daft jerseys and a largely ignored video game</p><p>You will almost certainly be aware that there have been a load of set-piece goals this season, and an extraordinary proliferation of long throws. At times the self-styled greatest league in the world has drowned in a torrent of guileless ball-flinging.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-gripes-of-the-season">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 10:30:23 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-gripes-of-the-season Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Simon Burnton 2026-05-25T10:30:23Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-review-2025-26-young-players-of-the-season <p>The league has been awash with youthful talent, led by a Manchester City converted midfielder who is already filling his medal cabinet</p><p>There have never been as many good young players in the world as there are now, so we have limited this list to those aged 21 and under at the time of writing. And, though both are extremely good, neither Max Dowman nor Rio Ngumoha has played enough to be considered this season – though it seems unlikely either will be missing from the selection a year hence.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-review-2025-26-young-players-of-the-season">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 10:00:24 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-review-2025-26-young-players-of-the-season Photograph: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images Photograph: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images Photograph: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images Daniel Harris 2026-05-25T10:00:24Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-signings-of-the-season <p>Dominic Calvert-Lewin has discovered a new lease of life in Yorkshire while Adrien Truffert made a big impression</p><p>Considering the cost of signing elite Premier League strikers, Calvert-Lewin deserves a spot because he cost absolutely nothing. Plenty played a part in other clubs deciding the centre-forward was not for them after leaving Everton; his injury and goalscoring record left plenty to be desired but everyone knew what was available, if a club could get him fit. Still only 29, Calvert-Lewin wanted a change of scenery and has proved plenty wrong by missing only three Premier League games all season and producing the goals that have gone a long way to keeping his side in the Premier League – scoring seven in six games at the end of 2025 – and earning a first England call in five years along the way. “For me, he is one of the best English strikers in this league,” Daniel Farke said. “Harry Kane is playing in Germany for Bayern Munich, but in the Premier League, he is definitely one of the best English strikers and he will be a key player for us going forward.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-signings-of-the-season">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 09:30:22 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-signings-of-the-season Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters Will Unwin 2026-05-25T09:30:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-matches-of-the-season <p>Nine-goal and seven-goal thrillers feature with a chaotic denouement at Anfield and a fraught Tyne-Wear derby</p><p>It is rare for a centre-forward to score a hat-trick and still be disappointed, but in the 10th minute of stoppage time, Jean-Philippe Mateta has a golden chance to win this pulsating affair for Crystal Palace. He clatters the ball down to South Norwood from eight yards out. Even before that it’s a rollercoaster of emotion for all concerned. Eagles fans fear the worst when their team fall 2-0 behind in the 37th minute after Junior Kroupi’s double. On 63 minutes, Mateta’s first Premier League goal of the season at Selhurst Park sparks home hope after a lengthy video assistant referee check for offside. Five minutes later, the Frenchman stretches to turn in a ball from Daniel Muñoz: 2-2. When James Tavernier rifles a low cross into the six-yard box in the 89th minute, Ryan Christie slams it in, seemingly snatching glory. There is time for Mateta to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot before missing his late chance.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-matches-of-the-season">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 07:30:19 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/premier-league-2025-26-review-matches-of-the-season Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Luke McLaughlin 2026-05-25T07:30:19Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/blame-for-west-ham-relegation-sits-at-the-feet-of-david-sullivan <p>The club’s largest shareholder has ignored warning signs since 2022 and need only look at the fate of Leicester to see what what may be in store</p><p>West Ham jumped on the relegation train in 2022. Bereft of vision at the top of the club, they failed to realise where they were heading. One internal figure was worried but his voice did not carry enough weight. There were three consecutive years of European football and there was no impending sense of doom when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/07/fiorentina-west-ham-europa-conference-league-final-match-report">West Ham beat Fiorentina</a> in the Conference League final in June 2023.</p><p>Yet that glorious night in Prague is a distant memory. The Championship <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/west-ham-leeds-premier-league-match-report">now awaits</a> and, much like when the West Ham <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/apr/27/sport.comment1">went down in 2003</a>, this is a failure that could have been avoided with better planning.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/blame-for-west-ham-relegation-sits-at-the-feet-of-david-sullivan">Continue reading...</a> West Ham United Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 07:00:19 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/blame-for-west-ham-relegation-sits-at-the-feet-of-david-sullivan Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images Jacob Steinberg 2026-05-25T07:00:19Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/roberto-de-zerbi-breaks-tottenham-out-of-a-jail-they-should-never-have-been-in <p>De Zerbi did the job he was brought in to do – now he has helped Tottenham avoid an unfathomable relegation, his task for next season is not so clear</p><p>Almost half a century ago, Matthew Engel had a line in this newspaper about Sheffield United going top of the Fourth Division being like hearing a friend had been made head of the prison library: you wanted to congratulate them but really you were wondering what on earth they were doing there in the first place. It was a similar story at Spurs today: for all the understandable glee and relief, even to be in danger of relegation is evidence of things having gone badly wrong.</p><p>It may be that the future has this as the first day in the new history of Tottenham. Roberto De Zerbi is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/11/de-zerbis-impact-at-tottenham-is-stark-but-teams-fragile-self-destruction-remains">clearly a manager of great promise</a> – 11 points in seven games may not be earth-shattering, but it is a lot, lot better than what came before – and the injury crisis surely can’t be this bad for a third straight season. Perhaps coming so close to the brink will startle them into decisive action in a way that last season’s fourth-bottom finish, mitigated as it was by the Europa League success, did not. Perhaps there really will come a bracing clarity of vision and they will rise again. The world can change very quickly. It’s only four years ago that Spurs were, for the sixth season in succession, finishing above Arsenal. A season out of Europe, while it will have a negative impact on revenues, can have a remarkable rejuvenating&nbsp;effect.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/roberto-de-zerbi-breaks-tottenham-out-of-a-jail-they-should-never-have-been-in">Continue reading...</a> Tottenham Hotspur Roberto De Zerbi Everton Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 19:52:33 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/roberto-de-zerbi-breaks-tottenham-out-of-a-jail-they-should-never-have-been-in Photograph: David Cliff/EPA Photograph: David Cliff/EPA Photograph: David Cliff/EPA Jonathan Wilson at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 2026-05-24T19:52:33Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/crystal-palace-arsenal-premier-league-match-report <p></p><p>This was an occasion for Mikel Arteta to savour. With the owner, Stan Kroenke, watching from the stands on a rare visit to see his team, Arsenal celebrated being champions for the first time since 2004 by recording a comfortable victory over a Crystal Palace side who also have a European final on their minds.</p><p>Max Dowman became the youngest player to start a Premier League game at 16 years and 144 days old and played his part as goals from Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke rounded off a memorable campaign for Arteta and his side. Arsenal were presented with the Premier League trophy at a sultry Selhurst Park – after Oliver Glasner completed a lap of honour on his last home match in charge of Palace – and their attention will switch quickly to the daunting prospect of facing Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday’s Champions League final.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/crystal-palace-arsenal-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Crystal Palace Arsenal Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 17:19:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/crystal-palace-arsenal-premier-league-match-report Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Ed Aarons at Selhurst Park 2026-05-24T17:19:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/liverpool-brentford-premier-league-match-report <p>A Liverpool without Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson is hard to comprehend, however well signposted their exits have been, and as the two Anfield greats walked up to the Kop together for one last time it was also difficult to see where Arne Slot’s side are heading next season in their absence. The most positive aspect of a uniquely challenging season for Liverpool is that it is over.</p><p>Champions League qualification was at least secured courtesy of a draw against Brentford, who would have qualified for Europe themselves but for Dango Ouattara missing a glorious chance to seal victory with the final act. Salah signed off with a trademark flourish, producing the 120th assist of his Liverpool career for Curtis Jones’s opener. The Egypt international’s 93rd Premier League assist for Liverpool also ensured he overtook Steven Gerrard’s club record in his final appearance. How appropriate that Salah should depart with one more record.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/liverpool-brentford-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Liverpool Brentford Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 17:19:08 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/liverpool-brentford-premier-league-match-report Photograph: Peter Powell/Reuters Photograph: Peter Powell/Reuters Photograph: Peter Powell/Reuters Andy Hunter at Anfield 2026-05-24T17:19:08Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/sunderland-chelsea-premier-league-match-report <p>Who saw this coming? Exactly one year ago Sunderland won the Championship playoffs and were installed as everybody’s relegation favourites. Régis Le Bris and his wonderfully resilient side harboured a rather different vision and they executed it so well they have finished seventh, securing a lucrative passport to the Europa League. No one is patronising Sunderland now.</p><p>This fully merited win against a Chelsea side whose own European ambitions were shredded along the way was in many ways emblematic of their season. It was a day when the second-tier old boys upstaged the Club World Cup holders, when Enzo Le Fée eclipsed Chelsea’s World Cup-winning Enzo Fernández and when the excellent Granit Xhaka ruled central midfield. What price Le Bris for manager of the year?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/sunderland-chelsea-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Sunderland Chelsea Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 17:27:15 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/sunderland-chelsea-premier-league-match-report Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters Louise Taylor at the Stadium of Light 2026-05-24T17:27:15Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/brighton-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report <p>Sussex by the sea will host Conference League football next season even if Brighton could not keep their side of the bargain. They let their fate drop from their control, their fans enduring an anxious afternoon of relying on results elsewhere and a decent 5G connection. Eventually, as players and coaches stood in the centre circle, the good news arrived.</p><p>“It was the worst time for this performance from us but we have to look at it overall in what we achieved,” said the Brighton head coach, Fabian Hürzeler. “We are Brighton, we are in Europe for a second time, we should be celebrating that achievement. It’s important you see where we came from.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/brighton-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion Manchester United Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 17:20:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/brighton-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report Photograph: David Klein/Reuters Photograph: David Klein/Reuters Photograph: David Klein/Reuters John Brewin at the Amex Stadium 2026-05-24T17:20:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up <p>Kick off your afternoon with the Guardian’s take on the world of football</p><p>Every weekday, we’ll deliver a roundup the football news and gossip in our own belligerent, sometimes intelligent and – very occasionally – funny way. Still not convinced? Find out what you’re missing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/thefiver/latest/email">here</a>.</p><p>Try our other sports emails: there’s weekly catch-ups for cricket in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-spin">The Spin</a> and rugby union in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-breakdown">The Breakdown</a>, and our seven-day round-up of the best of our sports journalism in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/15/the-recap-sign-up-for-the-best-of-the-guardians-sport-coverage">The Recap</a>.</p><p>Living in Australia? Try the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2015/jun/05/guardian-australia-sport-newsletter-subscribe-by-email">Guardian Australia’s daily sports newsletter</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up">Continue reading...</a> Information Football Newsletter sign-up Mon, 14 Nov 2022 09:05:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Guardian Staff 2022-11-14T09:05:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/22/sign-up-for-our-new-womens-football-newsletter-moving-the-goalposts <p>Get our roundup of women’s football for free twice a week, featuring the insights of experts such as Ada Hegerberg and Magdalena Eriksson</p><p>Join us as we delve deeper into the wonderful world of women’s football in our weekly newsletter. It is informative, entertaining, global, critical – when needed – and, above all, passionate. Written mainly by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/julia-belas-trindade">Júlia Belas Trindade</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/sophie-downey">Sophie Downey</a>, expect guest appearances from stars such as Anita Asante, Ada Hegerberg and many more.</p><p>Try our other sports emails: as well as the occasionally funny football email <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2016/jan/05/the-fiver-email-sign-up">The Fiver </a>from Monday to Friday, there are weekly catch-ups for cricket in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-spin">The Spin</a> and rugby union in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-breakdown">The Breakdown</a>, and our seven-day roundup of the best of our sports journalism in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/15/the-recap-sign-up-for-the-best-of-the-guardians-sport-coverage">The Recap</a>.</p><p>Living in Australia? Try the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2015/jun/05/guardian-australia-sport-newsletter-subscribe-by-email">Guardian Australia’s daily sports newsletter</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/22/sign-up-for-our-new-womens-football-newsletter-moving-the-goalposts">Continue reading...</a> Football Women's football Sport Newsletter sign-up Tue, 22 Mar 2022 16:57:35 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/22/sign-up-for-our-new-womens-football-newsletter-moving-the-goalposts Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Suzanne Wrack 2022-03-22T16:57:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/01/sign-up-to-the-sport-in-focus-newsletter-the-sporting-week-in-photos <p>Our editors’ favourite sporting images from the past week, from the spectacular to the powerful, and with a little bit of fun thrown in</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/01/sign-up-to-the-sport-in-focus-newsletter-the-sporting-week-in-photos">Continue reading...</a> Newsletter sign-up Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:00:23 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/01/sign-up-to-the-sport-in-focus-newsletter-the-sporting-week-in-photos Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Guardian Staff 2025-10-01T11:00:23Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/15/the-recap-sign-up-for-the-best-of-the-guardians-sport-coverage <p>The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend’s action</p><p>Subscribe to get our editors’ pick of the Guardian’s award-winning sport coverage. We’ll email you the stand-out features and interviews, insightful analysis and highlights from the archive, plus films, podcasts, galleries and more – all arriving in your inbox at every Friday lunchtime. And we’ll set you up for the weekend and let you know our live coverage plans so you’ll be ahead of the game. <a href="https://uploads.guim.co.uk/2020/11/16/TheRecap.pdf">Here’s what you can expect from us.</a></p><p>Try our other sports emails: there’s daily football news and gossip in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2016/jan/05/the-fiver-email-sign-up">The Fiver</a>, and weekly catch-ups for cricket in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-spin">The Spin</a> and rugby union in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-breakdown">The Breakdown</a>.</p><p>Living in Australia? Try the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2015/jun/05/guardian-australia-sport-newsletter-subscribe-by-email">Guardian Australia’s daily sports newsletter</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/15/the-recap-sign-up-for-the-best-of-the-guardians-sport-coverage">Continue reading...</a> Sport Information Newsletter sign-up Mon, 15 May 2017 11:00:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/15/the-recap-sign-up-for-the-best-of-the-guardians-sport-coverage Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Guardian Staff 2017-05-15T11:00:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/pep-guardiola-manchester-city-fans-pay-tribute <p>Supporters pay respects to man who took them to ‘a galaxy only a handful of teams in world football experience’</p><p>“I’m utterly devastated and have already shed tears,” says Manchester City fan Sophie Hope. There is a feeling of loss around the Etihad Stadium, a bereavement that everyone knew was coming but it does not make it any easier to take. The ownership may disagree but this is the club that Pep Guardiola built over the past 10 years and everyone in attendance against Aston Villa wanted to pay their respects.</p><p>This has been a glorious epoch for the club, one that has seen complete and utter misery in modern times. Relegation to the third tier at Stoke, being regularly pummelled by Manchester United and York City away are long forgotten. The transformation was under way before Guardiola arrived a decade ago and everything has been geared towards his demands and needs. Ilkay Gündogan, Ederson and Fernandinho were back as City’s greatest hits were played.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/pep-guardiola-manchester-city-fans-pay-tribute">Continue reading...</a> Manchester City Pep Guardiola Aston Villa Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 19:35:57 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/pep-guardiola-manchester-city-fans-pay-tribute Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Will Unwin at the Etihad Stadium 2026-05-24T19:35:57Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/european-football-conte-napoli-como-champions-league-juventus-milan <ul><li><p>Juventus and Milan miss out on top four Serie A spots</p></li><li><p>Turin derby at Torino delayed after pre-match clash</p></li></ul><p>Antonio Conte announced his departure as <strong>Napoli</strong> head coach on Sunday after guiding the team to a 1-0 home victory over <strong>Udinese</strong> in their final match of the Serie A season.</p><p>The 56-year-old confirmed the decision at a press conference alongside the Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, after the match. Having joined the club in July 2024, he won the league title in his debut campaign. Conte’s final match was settled by a 23rd-minute goal from striker Rasmus Højlund, securing a second-place finish in the league table for the hosts behind Inter.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/european-football-conte-napoli-como-champions-league-juventus-milan">Continue reading...</a> European club football Serie A Napoli Como Cremonese Milan Juventus Lecce Roma Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 21:19:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/european-football-conte-napoli-como-champions-league-juventus-milan Photograph: SSC Napoli Photograph: SSC Napoli Photograph: SSC Napoli Agencies 2026-05-24T21:19:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/nottingham-forest-bournemouth-premier-league-match-report <p>All aboard Rayanair, the airline of choice projected on to a giant flag with which Bournemouth’s players celebrated and one cherry-picked for their first European adventure. There was an inflatable plane bobbing around the away end and, for long periods, their unlikely Champions League dream was on. The Europa League will have to suffice. Andoni Iraola, whose name was serenaded on loop, will exit the stage having led Bournemouth to sixth, their best finish, a record points tally of 57 and having secured European football for the first time in the club’s history.</p><p>It does not sound too bad. This result was quickly rendered redundant by Brighton imploding at home to Manchester United but Aston Villa’s shock win at Manchester City and Liverpool’s failure to beat Brentford denied Iraola the perfect ending.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/nottingham-forest-bournemouth-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Nottingham Forest Bournemouth Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 17:10:59 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/nottingham-forest-bournemouth-premier-league-match-report Photograph: Craig Brough/Reuters Photograph: Craig Brough/Reuters Photograph: Craig Brough/Reuters Ben Fisher at the City Ground 2026-05-24T17:10:59Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/fulham-newcastle-premier-league-match-report <p>The Fulham manager, Marco Silva, promised a decision next week on his future and admitted his team missed the “cherry on the cake” by failing to qualify for Europe.</p><p>A 2-0 win over Newcastle at Craven Cottage will have been a happy sendoff if, as looks likely, the lure of replacing José Mourinho at Benfica proves sufficiently tempting for Silva to walk away after five years in charge.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/fulham-newcastle-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Fulham Newcastle United Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 17:27:19 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/fulham-newcastle-premier-league-match-report Photograph: Matt Impey/Shutterstock Photograph: Matt Impey/Shutterstock Photograph: Matt Impey/Shutterstock PA Media 2026-05-24T17:27:19Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/burnley-wolves-premier-league-match-report <p>Burnley’s interim manager, Mike Jackson, took no solace from not finishing bottom of the Premier League after the Clarets ended the season with a 1-1 draw against Wolves.</p><p>A Wolves win would have taken them off the foot of the table and they were on course for just a fourth league victory of the campaign when Adam Armstrong quickly scored from the spot. But the hosts fought back in the second half and Zian Flemming’s equaliser ensured they ended the campaign 19th – and picked up around £2.7m more in prize money.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/burnley-wolves-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Burnley Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 17:29:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/burnley-wolves-premier-league-match-report Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images/Reuters PA Media 2026-05-24T17:29:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/may/25/west-ham-go-down-and-the-great-guard-of-honour-debate-football-weekly-video <p>Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Barney Ronay, Jonathan Wilson and Jacob Steinberg to discuss the final day of the Premier League season</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/roberto-de-zerbi-breaks-tottenham-out-of-a-jail-they-should-never-have-been-in">Tottenham survive</a> after narrowly beating Everton, while <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/west-ham-leeds-premier-league-match-report">West Ham’s win over Leeds</a> proves meaningless as they are relegated from the Premier League after 14 years in the top flight. Jacob Steinberg joins the panel to discuss <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/blame-for-west-ham-relegation-sits-at-the-feet-of-david-sullivan">the failures behind the club’s decline</a>, the future of the London Stadium and what comes next in the Championship.</p><p>Elsewhere, the panel discuss <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/roberto-de-zerbi-spurs-saved-disaster-james-maddison-senesi-robertson">Roberto De Zerbi’s impact at Spurs</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/sunderland-chelsea-premier-league-match-report">Sunderland’s remarkable qualification for the Europa League</a>, Bournemouth and Brighton making Europe, and Aston Villa finishing fourth after spoiling <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/pep-guardiola-manchester-city-fans-pay-tribute">Pep Guardiola’s farewell at Manchester City</a>. There’s also a heated debate about the rise of in-game guards of honour after emotional send-offs for Pep, Bernardo Silva and John Stones</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/may/25/west-ham-go-down-and-the-great-guard-of-honour-debate-football-weekly-video">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Mon, 25 May 2026 11:58:23 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/may/25/west-ham-go-down-and-the-great-guard-of-honour-debate-football-weekly-video Photograph: PA / Guardian Photograph: PA / Guardian Photograph: PA / Guardian 2026-05-25T11:58:23Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/relegation-the-inevitable-outcome-of-west-hams-relentless-executive-failure <p>Once-proud club has forgotten what it was trying to be after years of mismanagement in a shopping-centre annexe</p><p>If you’re going to die, die with your boots on. Belatedly and pointlessly on. But on all the same. It felt deeply fitting that West Ham should show some fight on the final day of the Premier League season, but that relegation should still be confirmed by events elsewhere, any pleasure at a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/west-ham-leeds-premier-league-match-report">3-0 defeat of Leeds</a> rendered irrelevant by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/tottenham-everton-premier-league-match-report">Tottenham’s win at home against Everton</a>, as West Ham’s season flopped like an ailing dog in the mid-summer heat.</p><p>There was at least some joy at the London Stadium, a reminder that joy is both the only thing that actually matters here, and also the precise polar opposite of the football-club-shaped blob that West Ham’s ownership has created. When Jarrod Bowen scored West Ham’s second goal on 78 minutes, charging past a Leeds defence already ranged about the place on sun loungers flicking through the latest Sally Rooney, there was a brief glimpse of some other West Ham, some other reality, a lost place of greater care and competence, other hands on the wheel.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/relegation-the-inevitable-outcome-of-west-hams-relentless-executive-failure">Continue reading...</a> West Ham United David Sullivan Karren Brady Leeds United Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 19:54:29 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/relegation-the-inevitable-outcome-of-west-hams-relentless-executive-failure Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Barney Ronay at the London Stadium 2026-05-24T19:54:29Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/arsenal-premier-league-title-symbol-of-the-metropolitan-swagger-and-metropolitan-angst-london <p>The crowd that gathered late into the night to celebrate on the streets reflected an idea of London where all are welcome</p><p>The mounds of detritus pile up outside Finsbury Park station, like an offering to a vengeful deity. A deity gone rogue for the evening, demanding tribute specifically in the form of empty food cartons and abandoned Lime bikes. A deity that has finally decided to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/numbers-sum-up-arsenal-won-premier-league">break the habit of 22 years</a>.</p><p>They approach via the familiar sidestreets, Gillespie Road, Benwell Road, Hornsey Road, the little shortcut past The Plimsoll pub. The night is cool and calm and still, the air rumbling with adoration and freedom, the sensation of chains being broken. As they reach the stadium, perfect strangers grip each other by the shoulders, bound by shared memory, shared trauma, a shared hymnbook. <em>What do you think of shit? Tottenham! Thank you. That’s all right!</em> A firework is let off, and then another. People are FaceTiming their relatives. People are getting selfies with Ian Wright. The crowd is hundreds, and then thousands, a lawless melee that in classic Arteta-ball tradition features plenty of jostling but no free-kicks awarded. Meanwhile, in the digital wilds beyond, the celebration police have laid down their truncheons and riot shields.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/arsenal-premier-league-title-symbol-of-the-metropolitan-swagger-and-metropolitan-angst-london">Continue reading...</a> Arsenal Mikel Arteta Football Sport Sun, 24 May 2026 07:00:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/arsenal-premier-league-title-symbol-of-the-metropolitan-swagger-and-metropolitan-angst-london Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Jonathan Liew 2026-05-24T07:00:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/premier-league-2025-26-fans-verdicts-stars-flops-and-funniest-moments <p>Our fans’ network reviews the season with one game to play: the highs, the lows and what they need in the summer</p><p>In this age of the managerial revolving door, I’m enormously proud that the Premier League champions (man, does that sound sweet!) stand as the antithesis to that. Admittedly, “trusting the process” aged a lot of us massively, but the agony of the past three campaigns evaporated with the final whistle at the Vitality. Sure, it would’ve been great to have enjoyed the sort of free-flowing football that the Cherries produced, but you won’t find a Gooner anywhere who gives a monkey’s how Mikel got us over the line. 19 great clean sheets. In the words of Fergie, attack wins games, but defence wins titles. <strong>Season rating:</strong> <strong>10/10</strong></p><p><strong>Bernard Azulay </strong><a href="https://onlinegooner.com/">onlinegooner.com</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/goonern5">@GoonerN5</a></p><p><strong>Jonathan Pritchard</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/premier-league-2025-26-fans-verdicts-stars-flops-and-funniest-moments">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Arsenal Aston Villa Bournemouth Brentford Brighton & Hove Albion Burnley Chelsea Crystal Palace Everton Fulham Leeds United Liverpool Manchester City Manchester United Newcastle United Nottingham Forest Sunderland Tottenham Hotspur West Ham United Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Sport Sat, 23 May 2026 07:00:21 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/premier-league-2025-26-fans-verdicts-stars-flops-and-funniest-moments Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Guardian sport 2026-05-23T07:00:21Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/diego-luna-usmnt-world-cup-real-salt-lake-zavier-gozo <p>Luna and Zavier Gozo’s World Cup dreams ended with a Friday email from US Soccer</p><p>Real Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni was in disbelief. The US roster for the World Cup would include neither his team’s star playmaker Diego Luna nor their head-turning youngster, Zavier Gozo. While the uncapped Gozo was a late long shot to make the squad, Luna seemed a near-lock given his importance to the national team throughout 2025.</p><p>Mastroeni knows the magnitude of these moments. As a player, he was the proverbial 23rd man in 2002, relaying that US coach Bruce Arena told him he’d made the roster as “a rah -ah guy.” Injuries and circumstance, plus his own approach, landed the midfielder in the lineup for the USMNT’s 3-2 win over Portugal to open group play as well as both of its ensuing knock-out matches.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/diego-luna-usmnt-world-cup-real-salt-lake-zavier-gozo">Continue reading...</a> USA World Cup 2026 Football Sport US sports World Cup Real Salt Lake MLS Mon, 25 May 2026 11:00:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/25/diego-luna-usmnt-world-cup-real-salt-lake-zavier-gozo Photograph: Chadd Cady/Imagn Images/Reuters Photograph: Chadd Cady/Imagn Images/Reuters Photograph: Chadd Cady/Imagn Images/Reuters Jeff Rueter in Saint Paul 2026-05-25T11:00:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/bernardo-silva-manchester-city-pep-guardiola-versatile-skilful-loveable <p>Manchester City are about to lose a player Pep Guardiola called ‘my weakness’ and ‘my favourite’. Who am I to disagree?</p><p>Bernardo Silva is more than a footballer. He’s a time-travelling, shapeshifting superhero. He even looks like a superhero – a nine-volt battery of a man doing battle with feral giants on the pitch. In 55 years of watching football I’ve never seen anybody or anything like him. For the past decade I’ve been lucky enough to watch him turning out week in, week out for my club, Manchester City. And now it’s time to say goodbye.</p><p>Some footballers are famous for having played in virtually every position on the field. James Milner, John O’Shea and Phil Neville come to mind. They tend to be solid, stolid types, as reliable as they are unimaginative.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/bernardo-silva-manchester-city-pep-guardiola-versatile-skilful-loveable">Continue reading...</a> Manchester City Football Sport Sat, 23 May 2026 07:00:23 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/bernardo-silva-manchester-city-pep-guardiola-versatile-skilful-loveable Illustration: David Humphries Illustration: David Humphries Illustration: David Humphries Simon Hattenstone 2026-05-23T07:00:23Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/neymar-brazil-world-cup-carlo-ancelotti-lionel-messi <p>Selecting a creaking talent underlines the political demands even the most successful coach in Champions League history cannot escape</p><p>When Neymar was 18, he made his debut for Brazil as part of the rejuvenation of the national squad after the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/02/holland-brazil-world-cup-match-report">disappointment of the 2010 World Cup</a> in South Africa. At the time, Lionel Messi was 23, obviously a star, and Brazil had to have their equivalent. Neymar has been trying to escape the Argentinian’s shadow ever since.</p><p>Even the news that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/neymar-brazil-world-cup-2026-squad-picked-joao-pedro">Carlo Ancelotti has included Neymar</a> in his squad for the forthcoming World Cup feels like a desperate attempt to create the sort of narrative <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/18/qatar-2022-dishes-up-sporting-surprise-and-a-coronation-for-lionel-messi">Messi enjoyed at the last finals</a>: a last dance long after the body had begun to fade. Messi then was 35; Neymar now is 34. But there are not many other similarities between the cases.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/neymar-brazil-world-cup-carlo-ancelotti-lionel-messi">Continue reading...</a> Neymar World Cup 2026 Brazil Carlo Ancelotti Football World Cup Sport Sat, 23 May 2026 19:00:35 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/neymar-brazil-world-cup-carlo-ancelotti-lionel-messi Photograph: Bruna Prado/AP Photograph: Bruna Prado/AP Photograph: Bruna Prado/AP Jonathan Wilson 2026-05-23T19:00:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2026/may/23/who-will-make-the-socceroos-australia-world-cup-squad <p>With a touch over a week to go before Australia coach Tony Popovic names his 26 players, whose ticket is punched and who will be left disappointed?</p><p>They are brimming with promise, but with faces not wholly familiar. These are your 2026 Socceroos, who will take to the field against Turkey next month with a lineup dominated by those yet to experience a World Cup.</p><p>The head coach, Tony Popovic, is at least someone well-known to the country’s broader sporting consciousness as a veteran of the 2006 tournament. In a training camp in Florida, he is now finalising the 26-player World Cup squad he will name on 1 June.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2026/may/23/who-will-make-the-socceroos-australia-world-cup-squad">Continue reading...</a> Australia World Cup 2026 World Cup Football Australia sport Sport Fri, 22 May 2026 15:00:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2026/may/23/who-will-make-the-socceroos-australia-world-cup-squad Composite: FIFA/Getty Images/EPA Composite: FIFA/Getty Images/EPA Composite: FIFA/Getty Images/EPA Jack Snape 2026-05-22T15:00:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/usmnt-player-development-youth <p>Figures from around the American men’s soccer scene agree that the talent level is rising, but much work remains to improve the US men’s national team</p><p>The US men’s national team roster for the 2026 World Cup will be unveiled on Tuesday, and according to head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the team is suffering from a talent deficit.</p><p>“We are USA,” he said after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/mar/31/usmnt-portugal-live-updates-analysis">a 2-0 loss</a> to Portugal in March, which followed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/28/belgium-usmnt-friendly-match-report">a 5-2 loss to Belgium</a> three days earlier. “And we are competing against Belgium, Portugal. I think for sure Belgium and Portugal have in the top 100 players, few or some players playing in that top 100. I think we don’t have [that].”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/usmnt-player-development-youth">Continue reading...</a> USA Football US sports Sport World Cup 2026 MLS Sat, 23 May 2026 10:00:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/usmnt-player-development-youth Photograph: Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/Getty Images Photograph: Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/Getty Images Photograph: Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/Getty Images Sanjay Sujanthakumar 2026-05-23T10:00:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/neymar-brazil-world-cup-2026-squad-picked-joao-pedro <ul><li><p>Carlo Ancelotti praises ‘improved fitness’ of Santos player</p></li><li><p>Vinícius Júnior, Rayan and Igor Thiago also selected</p></li></ul><p>Neymar will make his fourth World Cup appearance after Brazil named him to their 26-man squad on Monday. The decision was not guaranteed as questions surrounded Neymar’s fitness since his anterior cruciate ligament tear more than two years ago.</p><p>The Brazil coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said that Neymar “has improved his fitness” after the squad announcement at a gala in Rio de Janeiro. “He will be an important player in this World Cup.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/neymar-brazil-world-cup-2026-squad-picked-joao-pedro">Continue reading...</a> Neymar Brazil World Cup 2026 World Cup Football Sport Carlo Ancelotti Mon, 18 May 2026 23:55:57 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/neymar-brazil-world-cup-2026-squad-picked-joao-pedro Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters Reuters 2026-05-18T23:55:57Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/veron-mosengo-omba-accused-of-bullying-and-intimidating-caf-committee-members <ul><li><p>Incident is alleged to have happened in October 2024</p></li><li><p>Mosengo-Omba set to be elected Fecofa president</p></li></ul><p>Véron Mosengo-Omba, the sole candidate to become the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo football federation, Fecofa, is at the centre of allegations of bullying and intimidation by members of the Confederation of African Football’s (Caf) audit and compliance committee (AACC).</p><p>The allegations centre on a two-hour meeting between Mosengo-Omba and the audit and compliance committee on 19 October 2024. During the meeting Mosengo-Omba, at the time the Caf general secretary, threatened to sue the members of the AACC and report them to the Fifa ethics committee because they endorsed a 2023-24 governance, risk and compliance (GRC) report which was highly critical of Mosengo-Omba’s ethical conduct. The Guardian has listened to a recording of the meeting.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/veron-mosengo-omba-accused-of-bullying-and-intimidating-caf-committee-members">Continue reading...</a> Football politics Football Sport Sport politics Democratic Republic of the Congo Tue, 19 May 2026 07:00:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/veron-mosengo-omba-accused-of-bullying-and-intimidating-caf-committee-members Photograph: Wikus de Wet/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Wikus de Wet/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Wikus de Wet/AFP/Getty Images Exclusive by Osasu Obayiuwana 2026-05-19T07:00:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/pep-guardiola-leaves-manchester-city-uae-sportswashing-politics-propaganda <p>While there is no denying the magnitude of his achievements, his legacy is also tied up in politics, propaganda and hard power</p><p>Well, that’s that then. Put out more flags. Mount the iconic Jedi‑style woollen cardigan in the club museum. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/pep-guardiola-tells-manchester-city-players-leaving-enzo-maresca-chelsea-compensation">He&nbsp;really does seem to be done this&nbsp;time</a>.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/pep-guardiola-exit-manchester-city-arsenal-bournemouth">the absence of formal denials</a>, it now seems highly likely the scheduled final year of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City contract will be spent trawling the high-concept food ateliers of the Iberian peninsula, debating spatial architecture with a Slovenian Cluedo grandmaster over hummingbird martinis, and generally recharging after a decade of unceasing devotion to victory.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/pep-guardiola-leaves-manchester-city-uae-sportswashing-politics-propaganda">Continue reading...</a> Pep Guardiola Manchester City Football Sport Wed, 20 May 2026 18:00:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/pep-guardiola-leaves-manchester-city-uae-sportswashing-politics-propaganda Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Composite: Guardian Picture Desk Barney Ronay 2026-05-20T18:00:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/22/mohamed-salah-leaves-liverpool-having-met-kop-legend-goal <p>Forward has had a difficult final season at Anfield but his outbursts are born of the same hunger that has fired a generational talent and all-time great</p><p>Mohamed Salah loves to hear stories about Steven Gerrard and Sir Kenny Dalglish from Liverpool fans who work at the training ground. He can recite his predecessors’ numbers and achievements, having spent the past nine years in pursuit of both, but what really captivates him are tales of how they became legends in the eyes of the Kop. Salah has always longed to be in that company. While that makes his recent public criticisms all the more unfortunate, it does not diminish his phenomenal achievement in reaching that goal.</p><p>There is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/18/mohamed-salahs-spiky-leaving-of-liverpool-puts-slot-in-awkward-spot">acrimony at the end</a> of Salah’s Liverpool career, as there was a degree of antipathy at the start. He will be celebrated for the relentless brilliance in between.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/22/mohamed-salah-leaves-liverpool-having-met-kop-legend-goal">Continue reading...</a> Mohamed Salah Liverpool Football Sport Fri, 22 May 2026 12:00:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/22/mohamed-salah-leaves-liverpool-having-met-kop-legend-goal Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters Andy Hunter 2026-05-22T12:00:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/arsenal-win-premier-league-title-mikel-arteta-2025-26 <p>Trusting a rookie coach to rebuild the club in late 2019 was a big call but after three runners-up finishes the Spaniard has delivered a long-awaited title</p><p>They say good things come to those who wait, and for Arsenal supporters it has felt like an eternity. Since their unforgettable 2003-04 season when Arsène Wenger’s Invincibles went the top-flight campaign unbeaten, their team had spent an incredible 984 days at the top of the table without being champions. Until now.</p><p>After all the disappointments of the late Wenger era and finishing as runners-up in the past three seasons, that unwanted statistic can finally be put to bed after a campaign in which Mikel Arteta’s side have shown they are capable of holding their nerve. There have been many doubters along the way, not least during a disastrous April during which Arsenal lost twice to their chief rivals, Manchester City, in a run of four consecutive domestic defeats in three competitions. But it is a triumph that rewards the faith shown by the hierarchy towards a rookie manager who arrived a week before Christmas in 2019 on a mission to restore them to former glories.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/arsenal-win-premier-league-title-mikel-arteta-2025-26">Continue reading...</a> Arsenal Mikel Arteta Premier League Football Sport Tue, 19 May 2026 22:00:14 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/arsenal-win-premier-league-title-mikel-arteta-2025-26 Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Ed Aarons 2026-05-19T22:00:14Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/world-cup-pricing-fan-friendly-atlanta-kansas-city-philadelphia <p>Philadelphia, Kansas City and Atlanta are among the hosts showing that price-gouging at this summer’s tournament is, ultimately, a choice</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/31/sign-up-for-the-world-behind-the-cup-a-newsletter-about-more-than-soccer"><strong>Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>Philadelphia has spotted an opportunity. A chance to burnish a budding reputation as one of the East Coast’s most pleasant and interesting big cities – in the view of this columnist, at least – and one of its most affordable, too.</p><p>The ample offering of public transportation to the six 2026 World Cup matches slated for Lincoln Financial Field (dubbed Philadelphia Stadium for the tournament, as per Fifa’s sponsor rules) will set fans back <a href="https://www.thescore.com/us_fed/news/3532758">a mere $2.90</a>. Tickets to see those matches are somehow <a href="https://6abc.com/post/2026-fifa-world-cup-ticket-prices-philadelphia-starting-come-down-resale-market-data-shows/19105248/">getting cheaper</a> on the secondary market – down about 16% from last month. Hotels are still reasonably priced. And fan fests will remain free for every day of the tournament. There will be no getting charged <a href="https://losangelesfwc26.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FWC-26-FIFA-Fan-Festival-Los-Angeles_FINAL.pdf">three times as much for shade</a>, either, as you will in Los Angeles.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/world-cup-pricing-fan-friendly-atlanta-kansas-city-philadelphia">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 Football World Cup Sport Philadelphia Atlanta US sports Wed, 20 May 2026 14:46:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/world-cup-pricing-fan-friendly-atlanta-kansas-city-philadelphia Photograph: Jared C Tilton/FIFA/Getty Images Photograph: Jared C Tilton/FIFA/Getty Images Photograph: Jared C Tilton/FIFA/Getty Images Leander Schaerlaeckens 2026-05-20T14:46:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2026/may/19/david-squires-on-celtic-crushing-hearts-hopes-of-a-scottish-fairytale <p>Our cartoonist on the unbridled joy and soul-crushing pain that followed the Scottish Premiership title decider</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://guardianprintshop.com/collections/david-squires/products/david-squires-on-celtic-crushing-hearts-hopes-of-a-scottish-fairytale"><strong>Buy this cartoon</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/04/david-squires-picks-his-favourite-cartoons-of-2025"><strong>David’s favourite works of 2025</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://guardianbookshop.com/chaos-in-the-box-9781783352838/?utm_source=editoriallink&amp;utm_medium=merch&amp;utm_campaign=article"><strong>And his latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now</strong></a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2026/may/19/david-squires-on-celtic-crushing-hearts-hopes-of-a-scottish-fairytale">Continue reading...</a> Scottish Premiership Celtic Hearts Football Sport Tue, 19 May 2026 09:44:19 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2026/may/19/david-squires-on-celtic-crushing-hearts-hopes-of-a-scottish-fairytale Illustration: David Squires/The Guardian Illustration: David Squires/The Guardian Illustration: David Squires/The Guardian David Squires 2026-05-19T09:44:19Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2026/may/20/london-arsenal-fans-title-celebrations-in-pictures <p>Our photographer was outside the Emirates Stadium as<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/weve-done-it-euphoria-as-arsenal-clinch-first-league-title-in-a-generation"> Arsenal fans congregated</a> to celebrate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/arsenal-premier-league-champions-manchester-city-bournemouth">their team</a>’s first title in 22 years</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/bukayo-saka-arsenal-critics-not-laughing-title-win-premier-league">‘They’re not laughing any more’: Saka calls out critics</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2026/may/20/london-arsenal-fans-title-celebrations-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Arsenal Premier League Football Sport Photography Wed, 20 May 2026 08:21:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2026/may/20/london-arsenal-fans-title-celebrations-in-pictures Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Tom Jenkins 2026-05-20T08:21:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/22/the-pep-years-season-by-season-guardiola-manchester-city <p>Pep Guardiola took over from Manuel Pellegrini in 2016. Here we chart the trophy-laden decade that followed …</p><p>It was confirmed on 1 February that Pep Guardiola would be heading to east Manchester to try his hand at English football. Behind the scenes, plenty went on to create a squad suited to him but, in truth, it was a season of transition as the new head coach investigated who could fit into his system and what needed to change. It was soon apparent how influential the era-defining Kevin De Bruyne would be for Guardiola, as his class in midfield shone. City showed promise but finished third in the Premier League and were knocked out by Monaco in the Champions League last 16 as the new head coach began without a trophy.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/22/the-pep-years-season-by-season-guardiola-manchester-city">Continue reading...</a> Pep Guardiola Manchester City Football Sport Fri, 22 May 2026 13:00:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/22/the-pep-years-season-by-season-guardiola-manchester-city Composite: Guardian Pictures (via Getty) Composite: Guardian Pictures (via Getty) Composite: Guardian Pictures (via Getty) Will Unwin 2026-05-22T13:00:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/andy-robertson-liverpool-farewell-highs-lows-anfield <p>As he prepares to say farewell to the club, the veteran left-back considers the highs – and tragic lows – of a stellar career at Anfield</p><p>There was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/07/liverpool-barcelona-champions-league-semi-final-second-leg-match-report">the Barcelona comeback</a> on the night he ruffled Lionel Messi’s hair, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/01/tottenham-liverpool-champions-league-final-match-report">the Champions League triumph in Madrid</a>, winning <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/25/liverpool-win-premier-league-after-manchester-city-are-beaten-by-chelsea">Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years</a> and pressing five Manchester City players in one career-defining run at Anfield when 4-1 up. But the best feeling Andy Robertson experienced at Liverpool was “climbing the mountain” with Jürgen Klopp’s all-conquering team. Nobody climbed higher or harder.</p><p>The boy who was rejected by Celtic at 15 and tweeted: “Life at this age is rubbish with no money” after his debut for Queen’s Park aged 18 became the man many consider to be Liverpool’s finest left-back, and arguably the best in the world at his peak. With 377 fiercely committed appearances in a Liverpool shirt behind him, Robertson will say goodbye on Sunday. The 32-year-old Scotland captain leaves “with no regrets, no bitterness” and “glad that one of our Egyptian friends might take a bit more of the limelight. I can just sneak underneath that.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/andy-robertson-liverpool-farewell-highs-lows-anfield">Continue reading...</a> Liverpool Football Sport Thu, 21 May 2026 21:30:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/andy-robertson-liverpool-farewell-highs-lows-anfield Photograph: Alex Livesey/Uefa/Getty Images Photograph: Alex Livesey/Uefa/Getty Images Photograph: Alex Livesey/Uefa/Getty Images Andy Hunter 2026-05-21T21:30:40Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/aston-villa-party-hard-istanbul-ending-30-year-trophy-wait-europa-league-final <p>Europa League glory kicked off scenes of royal ribbing, ski goggles on the team bus and knee slides with nephews</p><p>It was 1.43am in Istanbul when Aston Villa’s players began to make tracks for their hotel, over the road from the rubber ring-like Besiktas Park. Matty Cash walked into a windowless basement at the stadium, bottle of Efes in hand, and toasted <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/freiburg-aston-villa-europa-league-final-match-report">a Europa League victory</a> that will be etched in history, the club’s first trophy in three decades. “The king set the gameplan out for us,” he said of Unai Emery, who, if he was not there already, now has a god-like status among the fans.</p><p>Moments earlier, John McGinn joked that Prince William, who joined the players for beers amid the dressing-room celebrations, might “get his credit card out” and stump up for a free bar. Villa’s billionaire co-owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, were also in attendance, the former delighted that Emery had delivered on his promise to put another piece of silverware in a trophy cabinet that had been gathering dust. “It means a lot,” Sawiris said, wearing a Villa scarf. “I can’t express myself with words. Amazing. Very special. An eight-year ride and we saw today what hard work can do with Unai’s effort and the whole team.” Asked what’s next, there came a reminder of Villa’s ambition. “The sky’s the limit,” he replied.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/aston-villa-party-hard-istanbul-ending-30-year-trophy-wait-europa-league-final">Continue reading...</a> Aston Villa Europa League Unai Emery Football Sport Thu, 21 May 2026 11:00:09 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/aston-villa-party-hard-istanbul-ending-30-year-trophy-wait-europa-league-final Photograph: AP Photograph: AP Photograph: AP Ben Fisher in Istanbul 2026-05-21T11:00:09Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/22/england-world-cup-squad-football-daily-newsletter <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up"><strong>Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!</strong></a></p><p>In a ceremony carrying all the suspense of the official ribbon-cutting of a supermarket that has been open to shoppers for three months, journalists dutifully convened at Wembley on Friday to confirm that the England Geopolitics World Cup squad leaked into the public domain on Thursday was definitely the same as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/22/england-world-cup-squad-announced-thomas-tuchel-spence-toney-palmer-alexander-arnold-foden">the one that was actually picked</a>. Having been “exclusively” revealed by various hacks, Mr 15%s, Harry Maguire and assorted members of his family, the most contentious decisions appear to have been those made by Thomas Tuchel to leave Maguire, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden at home. “I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision,” parped the Manchester United defender, who had been told he was no higher than fifth in the centre-back pecking order. “Absolute [sic] disgusted,” clucked his mum on a Social Media Disgrace, before one of his brothers also joined the pile-on.</p><p>It is Thursday evening (BST) and Big Website <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/england-world-cup-squad-harry-maguire-thomas-tuchel">has a story</a> about how Harry Maguire, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer et al have been left out of England’s GWC squad to be announced on Friday morning by Thomas Tuchel. Such prescience could be extended to announcing the competition winners and free up a month of football-watching and ultimate disappointment when England don’t win” – Nigel Sanders.</p><p>Is anyone else sick of seeing photos of Andy Burnham out running in his vintage Everton shirt? If so, he’s got a lot of work to do to unite the Hafnias and the Hafnia-nots” – Phil Taverner.</p><p>With so much of the news coverage featuring the tree which is of insufficient girth to conceal a Southampton intern, I’m concerned that it might become a place of pilgrimage for Middlesborough fans should they win the playoffs, and that might provoke disgruntled Southampton supporters to do a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/15/sycamore-gap-why-would-anyone-cut-down-a-tree-that-brought-joy-to-so-many">‘Sycamore Gap’</a> job on it. Time for a tree preservation order before the coach excursions start arriving” – Kev Dwyer.</p><p><em><strong>This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version,<a href="https://preview.gutools.co.uk/info/2016/jan/05/the-fiver-email-sign-up"> </a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up">just visit this page and follow the instructions</a>.</strong></em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/22/england-world-cup-squad-football-daily-newsletter">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Fri, 22 May 2026 14:39:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/22/england-world-cup-squad-football-daily-newsletter Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images Barry Glendenning 2026-05-22T14:39:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/aston-villa-europa-league-final-victory-parade-toughest-test <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up"><strong>Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!</strong></a></p><p>With the Arsenal Fun Boat having finally docked at its destination on Tuesday after a 22-year voyage, attention on Wednesday turned to Aston Villa’s Crazy Train as its passengers alighted in Istanbul. Having passed away last summer, Ozzy Osbourne, whose famous anthem serves as Villa’s walk-on music, was not present to see his team lift Bigger Vase but the ease with which they strolled to victory would certainly have met with his approval. In spanking <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/freiburg-aston-villa-europa-league-final-match-report">three goals without reply past Freiberg</a>, Unai Emery’s side ended a trophy drought that stretched back 30 years and for their Spanish manager it marked a fifth success in the competition with three different teams. It is a state of affairs rendered all the more remarkable by the weird quirk that each of them has ‘villa’ in their names.</p><p>Regarding songs to play during VAR decisions (Football Daily letters passim) how about Rise by Public Image Ltd, featuring the oft repeated line: ‘I could be wrong I could be right’?” – Adrian Bradshaw.</p><p>Why stop with VAR music to fill dead spots in games? Imagine, the next time a player goes down, hearing that memorable opening line from Johnny Cash, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeZRYhLDLeU">“I hear the trainer coming!”</a> What? Oh” – John Nielsen-Gammon.</p><p>A doff of the cap to the great Unai Emery, who won the Uefa Emery League yet again last night but also achieved a rare, unprecedented double this season as he also got promotion to Primera Federación, the third tier of Spanish football, in April with Real Union, which he has been the owner of since 2021 (his father and grandfather used to play for them)” – Noble Francis</p><p>Re Steve McClaren and his new role at Rotherham (Football Daily passim, full email edition), do you think he thought it was Rotterdam and he got confused by the accent?” – Dan J Levy.</p><p><em><strong>This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version,<a href="https://preview.gutools.co.uk/info/2016/jan/05/the-fiver-email-sign-up"> </a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up">just visit this page and follow the instructions</a>.</strong></em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/aston-villa-europa-league-final-victory-parade-toughest-test">Continue reading...</a> Aston Villa Europa League Football Sport Thu, 21 May 2026 16:38:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/aston-villa-europa-league-final-victory-parade-toughest-test Photograph: Jacob King/PA Photograph: Jacob King/PA Photograph: Jacob King/PA Barry Glendenning 2026-05-21T16:38:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/canadian-musician-mario-lapointe-owner-dumbarton-fc-women <p>Mario Lapointe became the Scottish club’s unlikely owner last year and his radical plans are taking shape at the Rock</p><p>“A lot of people ask me the same thing,” says a laughing Mario Lapointe, on how a Canadian songwriter and entrepreneur became owner of the Scottish lower league club Dumbarton 12 months ago. “When I was looking for a football club, this club kept calling me back – not literally.</p><p>“For example, I wrote a song in 1992 which had a lyric about sitting on the rock, and Dumbarton’s stadium is called the Rock. It’s also on the river and I wrote a lot of lyrics about rivers and ships, so it felt meant to be.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/canadian-musician-mario-lapointe-owner-dumbarton-fc-women">Continue reading...</a> Women's football Dumbarton Football Sport Thu, 21 May 2026 11:25:56 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/21/canadian-musician-mario-lapointe-owner-dumbarton-fc-women Photograph: Courtesy of Dumbarton Photograph: Courtesy of Dumbarton Photograph: Courtesy of Dumbarton Rich Laverty 2026-05-21T11:25:56Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/tanzania-malaika-meena-donationa-drive-kit-moving-the-goalposts <p>WSL2 midfielder Malaika Meena has been collecting football kit to send to her ‘favourite country in the world’</p><p>It began with a social media post from a 13-year-old playing in Chelsea’s academy who wanted to offer spare kit to people less fortunate than her.</p><p>A decade on Malaika Meena, an established WSL2 player, finds herself sifting through more than 1,000 items collected from players, fans and coaches in the past month alone, as her family tradition of donating football boots and kit to schoolchildren in Tanzania has blossomed into a movement larger than anything she could have imagined.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/tanzania-malaika-meena-donationa-drive-kit-moving-the-goalposts">Continue reading...</a> Women's football Football Sport Tanzania Tue, 19 May 2026 11:00:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/tanzania-malaika-meena-donationa-drive-kit-moving-the-goalposts Photograph: Courtesy of Malaika Meena Photograph: Courtesy of Malaika Meena Photograph: Courtesy of Malaika Meena Tom Garry 2026-05-19T11:00:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/most-football-league-titles-without-earning-international-cap-the-knowledge <p>Plus: greatest distance between two teams in a derby (part two) and origins of why Celtic Park is nicknamed ‘Paradise’</p><ul><li><p><a href="mailto:knowledge@theguardian.com">Mail us</a> with your all of your questions and answers</p></li></ul><p><strong>“Which player has won the most league championships without winning an international cap?”</strong> asks Nick Williamson. <strong>“Steve Bruce won three Premier League titles with Manchester United – surely there are other non-capped players with more title honours?”</strong></p><p>There surely are a number of players that can match and beat Steve Bruce’s tally of three league titles without earning an international cap.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/most-football-league-titles-without-earning-international-cap-the-knowledge">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:26 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/most-football-league-titles-without-earning-international-cap-the-knowledge Photograph: Ronald Wittek/EPA Photograph: Ronald Wittek/EPA Photograph: Ronald Wittek/EPA Guardian sport 2026-05-20T07:00:26Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/22/premier-league-finale-french-open-tennis-and-f1-in-canada-follow-with-us <p>Here’s how to follow along with our coverage – the finest writing and up-to-the-minute reports</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/22/premier-league-finale-french-open-tennis-and-f1-in-canada-follow-with-us">Continue reading...</a> Sport Fri, 22 May 2026 15:35:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/22/premier-league-finale-french-open-tennis-and-f1-in-canada-follow-with-us Composite: Guardian Design; Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design; Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design; Getty Images Guardian sport 2026-05-22T15:35:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2026/may/21/turkish-delight-aston-villa-premier-league-relegation-battle-football-weekly-podcast <p><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/maxrushden.bsky.social">Max Rushden</a> is joined by <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:i55lfvhkg573wfmby5sdnvq6">Barry Glendenning</a>, Archie Rhind-Tutt, Lars Sivertsen and Dan Bardell to discuss Villa’s Europa League success</p><p><strong>Rate, review, share on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/football-weekly-the-guardian/id188674007?mt=2">Apple Podcasts</a> and join the conversation on <a href="mailto:footballweekly@theguardian.com">email</a>.</strong></p><p>On today’s podcast: Aston Villa won their first trophy in 30 years and secured their first European triumph for over 40. There were jubilant scenes, from Istanbul to Birmingham, as Unai Emery did it again in the Europa League. Youri Tielemans shone with perhaps his second best cup final goal ever to send the Villa fans into delirium, before Emi Buendía and Morgan Rogers wrapped up <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/freiburg-aston-villa-europa-league-final-match-report">a dominant victory over Freiburg</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2026/may/21/turkish-delight-aston-villa-premier-league-relegation-battle-football-weekly-podcast">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Aston Villa Premier League Thu, 21 May 2026 11:50:31 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2026/may/21/turkish-delight-aston-villa-premier-league-relegation-battle-football-weekly-podcast Photograph: Manon Cruz/Reuters Photograph: Manon Cruz/Reuters Photograph: Manon Cruz/Reuters Presented by Max Rushden with Barry Glendenning, Archie Rhind-Tutt, Lars Sivertsen and Dan Bardell. Produced by Tayo Popoola and our executive producer is Joel Grove. 2026-05-21T11:50:31Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2026/may/19/manchester-city-crowned-champions-as-wsl-season-wraps-up-womens-football-weekly <p><a href="https://x.com/FayeCarruthers">Faye Carruthers</a> is joined by <a href="https://x.com/SuzyWrack">Suzy Wrack</a>, <a href="https://x.com/GirlsontheBall">Sophie Downey</a> and <a href="https://x.com/MarvaKreel">Marva Kreel</a> to review the 2025-26 WSL season</p><p>On today’s pod: as the WSL season comes to an end, the panel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/wsl-2025-26-season-review-our-writers-best-and-worst">reviews each team</a> as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/16/shaw-doubles-up-as-manchester-city-mark-wsl-title-by-thrashing-west-ham">Manchester City officially lift the Barclays WSL trophy</a> after ending their 10-year wait for a league title. The panel reflects on Andrée Jeglertz’s instant impact, Bunny Shaw’s remarkable season and what the summer could hold amid uncertainty surrounding her future.</p><p>Elsewhere, Arsenal secure second place and automatic Champions League qualification but, after another trophyless domestic campaign, the panel assesses where things fell short for Renée Slegers’ side and what the departures of Beth Mead and Katie McCabe mean for the club moving forward.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2026/may/19/manchester-city-crowned-champions-as-wsl-season-wraps-up-womens-football-weekly">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Women's football Women's Super League Manchester City Women Chelsea Women Arsenal Women Tue, 19 May 2026 12:37:31 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2026/may/19/manchester-city-crowned-champions-as-wsl-season-wraps-up-womens-football-weekly Photograph: Mike Turner/SPP/Shutterstock Photograph: Mike Turner/SPP/Shutterstock Photograph: Mike Turner/SPP/Shutterstock Presnted by Faye Carruthers, with Suzanne Wrack, Marva Kreel and Sophie Downey. Produced by Sophie Downey and Silas Gray. Executive produced by Joel Grove. Music Composition by Laura Iredale 2026-05-19T12:37:31Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/16/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2025 <p>Ousmane Dembélé becomes our seventh winner as he beats Lamine Yamal into second and Vitinha into third on our list of the best players on the planet</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/19/the-premier-league-dominates-guardians-top-100-male-footballers-again-can-anyone-catch-up">Premier League dominates list</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/19/see-how-every-judge-voted-for-the-100-best-male-footballers-in-2025">How every judge voted</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/15/how-the-guardian-ranked-the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2025">Our methodology</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025">The top 100 female players for 2025</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/dec/17/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2024">2024 edition</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/dec/19/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2023">2023</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/jan/24/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2022">2022</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/dec/21/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2021">2021</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/dec/21/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2020">2020</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/ng-interactive/2019/dec/17/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2019">2019</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/dec/18/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2018-nos-100-71">2018</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2017/dec/19/the-100-best-footballers-in-the-world-2017-interactive">2017</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2016/dec/20/the-100-best-footballers-in-the-world-2016-interactive">2016</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2015/dec/21/the-100-best-footballers-in-the-world-2015-interactive">2015</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2014/dec/21/the-top-100-footballers-2014-interactive">2014</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2013/dec/100-greatest-footballers-2013">2013</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/interactive/2012/dec/20/top-100-footballers-in-the-world-interactive">2012</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/16/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2025">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:04:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/16/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2025 Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Marcus Christenson, Pamela Duncan, Steven Bloor and Garry Blight 2025-12-19T10:04:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/20/ousmane-dembele-quietly-becomes-the-main-man-after-long-journey-to-the-top <p>The Frenchman, who has been named the best male footballer in the world by the Guardian, has benefitted from PSG’s focus on the team rather than individuals</p><p>What makes a good player great, and a great player the best? This question has been occupying me since 2014, when the Guardian first asked me to contribute to its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/ng-interactive/2014/oct/14/next-generation-2014-40-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">inaugural Next Generation feature</a>. My job was to look for a France-based talent born in 1997 who could go on to have a stellar career.</p><p>After a great deal of research, I narrowed it down from my shortlist&nbsp;of five by asking questions&nbsp;not about the players’ football ability, but about other attributes: resilience, adaptability, decision-making, creativity, work ethic, response to feedback and willingness to learn. Qualities we cannot see, and are harder to&nbsp;measure.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/20/ousmane-dembele-quietly-becomes-the-main-man-after-long-journey-to-the-top">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Sat, 20 Dec 2025 08:00:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/20/ousmane-dembele-quietly-becomes-the-main-man-after-long-journey-to-the-top Photograph: Kristy Sparow/UEFA/Getty Images Photograph: Kristy Sparow/UEFA/Getty Images Photograph: Kristy Sparow/UEFA/Getty Images Ben Lyttleton 2025-12-20T08:00:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025 <p>Aitana Bonmatí has been voted the best female player on the planet by our panel of 127 experts ahead of Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/dec/03/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2024">2024 list</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/jan/09/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2023">2023</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/dec/21/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2022">2022 </a>| <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/dec/07/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2021">2021</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/dec/08/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2020">2020</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2019/dec/03/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2019">2019</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/dec/04/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2018">2018</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/30/how-the-guardian-ranked-the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025">Meet the judges</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/04/see-how-every-judge-voted-in-the-100-best-female-footballers-for-2025">See how every judge voted</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/22/sign-up-for-our-new-womens-football-newsletter-moving-the-goalposts">Subscribe to Moving the Goalposts, our free newsletter</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025">Continue reading...</a> Football Women's football Sport Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:00:22 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025 Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Rich Laverty 2025-12-04T10:00:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/05/aitana-bonmati-guardian-top-100-history-third-straight-title <p>The margin may have got smaller but the brilliant Spanish midfielder makes it a hat-trick of No 1 finishes</p><p>They say the best things come in threes, and Aitana Bonmatí has written herself into <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025">the Guardian’s top 100</a> history as the first player to finish at the top of the tree for a third consecutive year.</p><p>Last year the majestic midfielder emulated her Barcelona and Spain teammate Alexia Putellas by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/dec/03/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2024">winning for a second year running</a>, but the 27-year-old has now gone one better, establishing herself once again at the top of the women’s game.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/05/aitana-bonmati-guardian-top-100-history-third-straight-title">Continue reading...</a> Aitana Bonmatí Women's football Football Sport Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:00:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/05/aitana-bonmati-guardian-top-100-history-third-straight-title Photograph: Álex Caparrós/UEFA/Getty Images Photograph: Álex Caparrós/UEFA/Getty Images Photograph: Álex Caparrós/UEFA/Getty Images Rich Laverty 2025-12-05T08:00:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/14/next-generation-2025-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football <p>From PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye to Brazil’s next hope, we select some of the most talented players born in 2008. Check the progress of our classes of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/oct/15/next-generation-2024-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2024</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/oct/11/next-generation-2023-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2023</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/sep/28/next-generation-2022-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2022</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/oct/07/next-generation-2021-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2021</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/oct/08/next-generation-2020-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2020</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2019/oct/10/next-generation-2019-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2019</a> … <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/next-generation">and go even further back</a>. Here’s our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/13/next-generation-2025-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">Premier League class of 2025</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/14/next-generation-2025-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:59:56 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/14/next-generation-2025-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Marcus Christenson, Steven Bloor and Garry Blight 2025-10-14T09:59:56Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/13/next-generation-2025-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs <p>We pick the best youngsters at each club born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009, an age band known as first-year scholars. Check the progress of our classes of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/oct/14/next-generation-2024-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">2024</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/oct/10/next-generation-2023-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">2023</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/sep/27/next-generation-2022-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">2022</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/oct/06/next-generation-2021-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">2021</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/oct/07/next-generation-2020-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">2020</a> … <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/next-generation">and go even further back</a>. Here’s our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/14/next-generation-2025-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">2025 world picks</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/13/next-generation-2025-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:10:16 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/oct/13/next-generation-2025-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Marcus Christenson, Steven Bloor and Garry Blight 2025-10-13T09:10:16Z