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Top 10 footballers of 2025: AI ranks the year’s best performers

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Top 10 footballers of 2025: AI ranks the year’s best performers

The 2025 calendar year delivered outstanding performances across Europe’s elite leagues. From record-breaking scorers to teenage sensations and midfield conductors, AI ranks the top 10 footballers of the year, assessing trophies, statistics, positional influence, and consistency over the full season.

  1. Erling Haaland – Manchester City | Norway | 25

Why #10: Haaland’s goal output remained elite, but Manchester City’s Champions League disappointment and failure to retain the league title limit his overall standing.

  1. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool | Egypt | 33

Why #9: Salah shone brightest in the first half of the year, but Liverpool’s lack of European success and a slight dip in sustained impact place him just outside the top tier.

  1. Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain | Morocco | 27

Why #8: A fullback redefining the role, Hakimi’s attacking output, tactical intelligence, and influence from wide areas earn him a deserved top-10 spot.

  1. Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain | Portugal | 23

Why #7: The model modern fullback—elite defensively with a constant attacking threat. Mendes’ positional evolution and maturity saw him earn Ballon d’Or recognition at just 23.

  1. Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain | Portugal | 25

Why #6: Finishing third in Ballon d’Or voting, Vitinha showcased the value of midfield control. His technical quality, tempo-setting, and playmaking mastery defined PSG’s dominance.

  1. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona | Spain | 18

Why #5: At only 18, Yamal blends creativity and goal-scoring with astonishing composure, evoking comparisons to Messi, Pelé, and Ronaldo at similar ages. His 2025 numbers place him fifth, with greater heights clearly ahead.

  1. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid | France | 27

Why #4: Mbappé’s individual brilliance remains undeniable, but Real Madrid’s struggles in La Liga and the Champions League slightly temper his ranking despite historic goal returns.

  1. Raphinha – Barcelona | Brazil | 29

Why #3: A rare blend of goals, assists, consistency, and tactical discipline. Raphinha’s complete attacking season and team success elevate him above more one-dimensional stars.

  1. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich | England | 32

Why #2: Kane posted one of the most prolific calendar-year goal records in football. While outstanding individually, the overall trophy haul narrowly keeps him from the top spot.

  1. Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain | France | 28
  2. Why #1: The standout footballer of 2025. Dembélé combined consistency, elite wing play, team success, and Ballon d’Or recognition. PSG boasted several world-class performers, but Dembélé was the defining force.
  3. 2025 was a year defined by historic scoring feats, emerging superstars, and midfield dominance. While goals grab headlines, true footballing excellence lies in balance, where creativity, consistency, and positional mastery separate the very best from the rest.

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FIFA finally sanctions Israel and sounds message for peace: Here’s why

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FIFA finally sanctions Israel and sounds message for peace: Here's why

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has taken action against the Israel Football Association (IFA) after finding breaches of its rules relating to offensive conduct, fair play, and incidents involving discrimination and racist behavior.

As part of the ruling, the IFA has been fined CHF 150,000 (around €165,000), with conditions attached. The federation is required to roll out preventive measures, including displaying a clear anti-discrimination message at its next three home matches in FIFA competitions. The message, which promotes unity and rejects discrimination, must appear alongside the federation’s emblem, with its design, size, and placement submitted to FIFA for approval at least 15 days before each fixture.

Beyond matchday requirements, the IFA must also take longer-term action. Within 60 days, it is expected to allocate one-third of the fine toward a detailed anti-discrimination initiative. This program is set to include structural improvements, defined protocols, monitoring systems, and educational campaigns across stadiums and official platforms throughout an entire season, all subject to FIFA’s approval. The remaining portion of the fine must be settled within 30 days. FIFA has also issued a formal warning regarding future conduct, with the option for the IFA to appeal the decision.

In relation to a separate complaint raised by the Palestinian Football Association concerning teams based in disputed territories, FIFA chose not to impose any measures. The governing body pointed to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the legal status of the West Bank under international law, but emphasized its willingness to encourage dialogue and mediation between both sides.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated the organization’s stance on the role of football during periods of political tension, stressing that while the sport cannot solve global conflicts, it can still play a part in bringing people together and fostering understanding through competitions like the World Cup.

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New angle emerges of massive brawl in Brazil: Brutal close-range fight footage (VIDEO)

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New angle emerges of massive brawl in Brazil: Brutal close-range fight footage

The Minas Gerais state championship final between Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and Clube Atlético Mineiro ended in chaos on Sunday, with a massive on-field brawl. Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory, but the match will be remembered for the violent fallout.

Reports from Brazilian media indicate that the referee issued an additional 23 red cards following the melee.

The incident that sparked the conflict occurred in the 97th minute inside Atletico’s penalty area after a collision between Christian of Cruzeiro and home goalkeeper Everson. Everson reacted aggressively, first pushing Christian and then pinning him to the ground with both knees.

Close-range footage of the altercation later surfaced online, showing the intensity of the clash and adding fuel to an already controversial derby.

This extraordinary sequence will likely result in disciplinary action from the league and raises questions about player conduct in high-stakes matches.

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Michael Carrick blow as ‘prominent’ target on Man Utd’s managerial shortlist is ‘keen’ on Old Trafford job

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Michael Carrick blow as ‘prominent’ target on Man Utd’s managerial shortlist is ‘keen’ on Old Trafford job

Former Brighton & Hove Albion FC boss Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly “keen” on becoming the next manager of Manchester United FC.

The 46-year-old is currently without a club after leaving Olympique de Marseille by mutual agreement last month. Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur FC have been linked with a summer move for the Italian as they search for a permanent head coach.

According to reports from The Telegraph, De Zerbi would favour the Old Trafford role if given the choice.

His potential appointment could be a setback for interim United boss Michael Carrick, who has largely impressed since taking charge in January.

Carrick suffered his first defeat on Wednesday as United lost to Newcastle United FC, with goals from Anthony Gordon and William Osula sealing the result.

Despite that setback, several United players are believed to support Carrick being given the role permanently. Senior figures such as Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are reportedly impressed by his tactical ideas and deep understanding of the game.

United’s hierarchy have yet to decide whether to stick with the former England international or appoint a new manager. Other names linked with the role include Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto Martínez.

De Zerbi has also been mentioned as a potential candidate at Tottenham. Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.

The club dismissed former head coach Thomas Frank last month and appointed Igor Tudor as interim manager.

Tudor has yet to register a win, but after a recent defeat to Crystal Palace FC he insisted the team is still moving in the right direction.

“Unfortunately this is the moment we pay for everything. One red card changes everything,” Tudor said.

“Maybe it will sound strange, but I believe more after this game than before. I saw something. I need to choose the right players because the boat is going in the direction that I want it to go.

“When the injured players return, I’m sure we will have a good team and the victories will come. It’s not easy to accept where we are now, but it is how it is.”

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