Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 11:39 PM ET

Premier League: Title, Transition, and Farewell

Arsenal's Premier League triumph has been years in the making, and ESPN can now reveal the 5-phase strategy that delivered the title. The breakthrough hinged on becoming the best defensive team the club has ever fielded, a transformation that earned Bruno Fernandes the Premier League Player of the Season award despite Arsenal's dominance. Mikel Arteta admitted he questioned whether he was good enough to win a major trophy for the Gunners, describing himself as "vulnerable" before the campaign tipped into first place. With the title secured, attention turns to Sunday's Champions League final against Paris St-Germain, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged TNT Sports to make the match free-to-air, a request that underscores the fixture's cultural weight. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has also been named Norway's World Cup captain, linking the club's domestic glory to the international stage.

On the other side of Manchester, Pep Guardiola confirmed he is leaving City after nearly a decade, ending an era defined by tactical innovation and 115 Premier League charges for alleged financial rule breaches. Guardiola named not promoting Joe Hart as his biggest regret, while also stating he will not advise the club on his successor. As City prepare for life without their manager, Phil McNulty reflected on how Guardiola transformed the Premier League's tactical landscape, though questions linger over how the 115 charges could shape his legacy. BBC Sport canvassed rival fans on their feelings, with many expressing relief at his departure. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, an Arsenal supporter, said he shed a tear when the Gunners won the title and predicted the club will go from strength to strength.

Liverpool's Era Ends at Anfield

Two pillars of the Klopp era bid farewell on Sunday as Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson departed Liverpool as all-time greats. Salah arrived in 2017 under pressure to shake off his "Chelsea flop" tag, and nine years later leaves as a legend who transcended the sport, while Robertson's nine-year spell ended with him regarded as 'The People's Champion'. Arne Slot promised the squad will return to winning ways next season after a difficult defense of the title, and Liverpool have reportedly reached out to Jurgen Klopp as Slot's future remains uncertain. ESPN revealed why both players will leave as Liverpool legends, noting they were signed within weeks of each other in the summer of 2017 and their journeys reshaped the club.

Kane's prolific season continues

Harry Kane scored a hat trick in the German Cup final, powering Bayern Munich to a 3-0 victory over Stuttgart and lifting the trophy for the 21st time. The performance improved his season tally to 61 goals. Manuel Neuer will miss the final with a calf injury, but sporting director Max Eberl said his World Cup place is not at risk. Kane is reportedly on Barcelona's shortlist to replace Lewandowski, while Bayern are also targeting Manchester City defender John Stones. In LaLiga, Lewandowski scored in his farewell as Barcelona lost 3-1 to Valencia, though the defeat was not enough to earn Los Gigantes European qualification. Meanwhile, Barcelona's women's team won the Champions League 4-0 over OL Lyonnes, securing a fourth UEFA Women's Champions League title, and ESPN's preview of the final flags a rematch of the 2024 encounter.

Celtic complete the double, Hull reach Wembley

Martin O'Neill led Celtic to a domestic double with Scottish Cup glory, easing past Dunfermline in the final. O'Neill, who was only supposed to manage for a few weeks, kept his future open, and Yang Hyun-jun signed a new deal until 2030. Celtic's cup run has drawn scrutiny, with the SPFL investigating two of their games after the SFA's KMI panel ruled that a match-winning penalty against Motherwell should not have been awarded. Daizen Maeda appears set for his final Celtic game this summer. Down in the Championship, Hull City beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at Wembley to reach the Premier League, with striker Oli McBurnie scoring the winner. Hull owner Acun Ilicali threatened legal action if Middlesbrough were reinstated in the play-offs after Boro missed three promotion chances in one season, becoming the first club to do so. Middlesbrough's collapse saw them finish outside the automatic promotion spots.

World Cup preparation and transfer chaos

Thomas Tuchel named his England World Cup squad with several high-profile omissions, leaving Harry Maguire out despite Wayne Rooney calling him "very unlucky" not to make the cut. Ivan Toney earned a surprise recall, and Tuchel explained why he wants Toney in the squad. USMNT defender Chris Richards tore two ankle ligaments but is expected to be fit for the tournament. Mauricio Pochettino will announce the USMNT squad on Tuesday, and ESPN's Player Performance Index ranked the top 50 American players by club form. On transfers, Manchester United are interested in a cut-price Rafael Leao, while Chelsea and Arsenal are competing for Bournemouth's Junior Kroupi. Manchester City are reportedly targeting Chelsea's Enzo Fernández, and Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia teased a potential Casemiro arrival. Tottenham have agreed to sign Germany forward Shekiera Martinez from West Ham.

Wider football and women's game

Liga MX is drawing American investment as the "least explored, biggest opportunity in global sports". Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Saudi title with Al Nassr, scoring twice in a 4-1 win, while João Félix beat Ronaldo to Saudi Player of the Season. North Korea's Naegohyang FC won the Asian Women's Champions League, and Vicky Lopez's rise from Benidorm beaches to Barcelona stardom captured attention ahead of the women's Champions League final. In English women's football, Sophie Whitehouse saved four penalties as Charlton reached the WSL, securing promotion for the first time, and Sheffield United's Lucy Bronze led them to the WSL play-off final.