Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: May 25, 2026, 2:52 PM ET

European Club Scene

An emotional chapter closed at Anfield on Sunday as Mohamed Salah cried "more than in his whole life" during his final Liverpool appearance, leading a 1-1 draw with Brentford that clinched a Champions League spot for the 2025-26 campaign. His tears of joy were shared by Andy Robertson, who leaves Liverpool after nine years as a club legend, marking what ESPN calls "the end of an era" in a club that once dominated English football. Cesc Fabregas, meanwhile, engineered one of Serie A's most unlikely outcomes by guiding Como to a Champions League berth while AC Milan were beaten at home, dropping from the top four. The ripple effects hit hard: Milan sacked Massimiliano Allegri in what the club called an "unequivocal failure," and Christian Pulisic debuted the new Milan kit as the club pivots toward a rebuild. Across Italy, Antonio Conte confirmed his departure from Napoli a year after winning Serie A, though he downplayed links to the Italy national job, leaving the reigning champions in flux for the 2025-26 season.

Premier League: Survival and Rebuild

Tottenham Hotspur's season ended in chaos and relief. The club staved off relegation on the final day with a 2-1 win over Leicester, escaping what would have been the biggest shock in Premier League history. Wayne Rooney called it a "brutal verdict" for a squad that showed little fight for most of the campaign, and chief writer Phil McNulty wrote that "the elation of fans will soon turn to anger" at the club's mismanagement. Non-executive chairman Peter Charrington admitted in an open letter that "football success had not been driving our decisions," a rare admission of institutional failure from one of the world's 10 richest clubs. Contrast that with West Ham, who were relegated to the Championship after a 2-0 defeat to Leicester, prompting manager Nuno Espirito Santo to hold talks with the club hierarchy about his future. Harry Kane, meanwhile, pushed Bayern Munich deep into the Champions League knockout rounds, while Arsenal's title defense rested on becoming their best defensive side ever, a statistical feat that saw them clinch the Premier League with a dominant campaign. Andoni Iraola signed off at Bournemouth after taking the Cherries into Europe, while Mamelodi Sundowns won their second African Champions League title with a 2-1 aggregate over AS FAR.

World Cup Squads and Injury Concerns

Spain named a 26-man World Cup squad featuring teenage sensation Lamine Yamal but included no players from Real Madrid, a bold call by coach Luis de la Fuente that has sparked debate across Spanish media. Yamal is currently injured but remains in the squad, underlining how central he is to Spain's plans. Mexico reached an agreement for Iran to remain in the country during the tournament, with President Claudia Sheinbaum agreeing to host them after the United States declined. Over in MLS, Lionel Messi left the field in the 72nd minute of a 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union after grabbing his left thigh, sending fans into a panic and raising immediate World Cup injury concerns for Argentina. The match still produced a record half, but Messi's visible discomfort overshadowed the victory. Mauricio Pochettino will announce his USMNT World Cup squad on Tuesday, and the big board already reflects the tension over Messi's fitness heading into a tournament where the Argentina star is expected to lead the attack.

MLS, NWSL and Transfer Market

Inter Miami's record-breaking 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union placed them among the hottest teams in MLS, with Vancouver and Nashville also surging up the power rankings heading into the World Cup break. Mallory Swanson scored her first goal for Chicago Stars FC after an 18-month maternity absence, marking a strong return to form. In the NWSL, Utah Royals have soared to the top of the standings, defying preseason expectations. Manchester United are targeting Atalanta's Éderson as one of two midfielders to sign this summer, while Mateus Fernandes from West Ham is also on their radar. Christian Pulisic's future remains in flux after Milan's Champions League failure, with the club now considering major changes. Cristiano Ronaldo's rare 2018 Panini Kaboom card sold privately for $1.35 million, while the Premier League golden boot winner was decided in the season's final rounds. Liverpool's new kit sparked social media debate after designers deliberately made the shirts and shorts mismatched, a choice that divided fans but reflected the club's willingness to experiment.