The Year of the Underdogs: How 2025 Crafted History (image-instagram/premierleague)
Penning down yet another saga of inspirational stories, the underdog clubs in the football world had grabbed their first trophies this season. Clubs across Europe struggling with trophy droughts had finally quenched their thirst for victory. Defying all expectations and predictions, fans got to watch their favourite club win their first trophies.
With every whistle, the balance of power shifts, making the game completely unpredictable—no team or player can ever claim dominance. This is what defines the beauty of football.
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Though remaining in the 17th position in the Premier League, defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final, Tottenham Hotspur clinched their first title since 1984. Defying all odds, after a long wait of 119 years, Crystal Palace got to kiss their first-ever silverware after defeating, indeed, yet another elite club, Manchester City.
Clad in celebratory green bathrobes, Go Ahead Eagles ended a 93-year wait by triumphing over AZ Alkmaar in a tense penalty shootout to win the Dutch Cup. Newcastle, starved of domestic success since 1955, finally quenched the thirst of their loyal Geordie faithful. Meanwhile, Bologna, resilient and determined, claimed their first Coppa Italia title in 51 years.
Apart from all this, the fan moments at these times were something one could never take their eyes off. In Newcastle, fans flooded the streets around St. James’ Park, waving black-and-white flags, lighting flares, and chanting long into the night. Decades of near misses and heartbreak gave way to tears of joy as the Magpies finally lifted domestic silverware for the first time since 1955. Crystal Palace’s win triggered emotional outpourings from Selhurst Park to Croydon. All fans wearing red and blue scarves—was a scene unseen in over five decades. After the win, their captain said, “We were never the favourites, but this was for every fan who never gave up.”
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The great Harry Kane himself had gotten himself a league title at the age of 31. With all the title wins, football has once again proven that the game belongs to the dreamers. Many consider it the year in which football had found its soul again.
