Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 25, 2026, 8:53 AM ET

Premier League Season Wrap

Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, completing a dominant defensive campaign that saw the Gunners secure the title with Martin Odegaard hoisting the trophy in scenes described as defining a generation for the club won first title in 22 years. The triumph was built on a season in which Arsenal posted the best defensive record in their history, a statistical edge that Opta's data model reflected by naming them as worthy champions in its team of the season analysis best defensive season ever. Across the league, the final day produced chaos. Tottenham Hotspur survived relegation on the last matchday after a season of near-collapse, scraping through while West Ham were confirmed for the Championship despite beating Leeds 3-0, ending a 14-year Premier League stay Tottenham survived. Wayne Rooney called Spurs' performance "pathetic" and urged ownership to conduct a thorough review, while Phil McNulty wrote that celebrations could not mask the embarrassment of a campaign that went down to the wire season called pathetic. West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo faces an uncertain future as talks with the hierarchy begin in the wake of relegation Nuno future in doubt. Burnley and Wolves drew 1-1 in their final fixtures before returning to the Championship, and Chelsea slipped into the same fate after a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland, who completed their own remarkable return to the top flight Chelsea relegated. Sunderland's Europa League spot confirmed their place in European competition a year after promotion from League One, with striker Trai Hume scoring a crucial goal on a £200,000 signing from years earlier Sunderland Europa League. Bournemouth, Brighton and Liverpool also secured European qualification, with Liverpool drawing 1-1 with Brentford to book their Champions League return as Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson said emotional farewells at Anfield Liverpool CL return. Salah admitted he "cried more than in his whole life" during his final Liverpool appearance, coming within the width of a post of scoring before settling for an assist and a legacy as the club's greatest player of the modern era Salah cried at farewell.

Managerial Departures and Transfer Activity

Pep Guardiola confirmed he is leaving Manchester City after nearly a decade, telling reporters he would not advise the club on his successor and insisting City cannot simply "copy and paste" his philosophy Guardiola leaving City. The announcement capped a farewell season that saw Guardiola emotional on the touchline during his final game, his composure cracking at the hour mark as the magnitude of the day struck Guardiola emotional farewell. Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney offered a blunt verdict on the day's events, calling West Ham's relegation a brutal end to their campaign while suggesting Spurs' survival brought little joy Rooney's verdict on final day. In Italy, Antonio Conte announced he will leave Napoli after two years in charge, stepping down 12 months after winning Serie A with the club Conte leaves Napoli. Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas guided Como to a Champions League spot with an improbable late-season surge, while AC Milan fell out of European contention and now face a summer of upheaval Como qualifies for UCL. Manchester United are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Atalanta midfielder Éderson, with club chief executive Omar Berrarda standing by the ambition to win the Premier League by 2028 Man Utd targeting Ederson. Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland is set to join Rangers on a free transfer after agreeing a deal subject to a medical, ending his tenure at the club where he led the side to prominence Shankland joins Rangers. Across the Atlantic, Christian Pulisic fronted AC Milan's new home kit reveal as the club prepares for a Champions League push next season Pulisic debuts new kit.

World Cup Concerns and International Football

Soccer fans held their breath after Lionel Messi appeared to injure his left thigh in the 72nd minute of Inter Miami's 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union, heading straight to the locker room and casting doubt over his availability for the upcoming World Cup Messi injured thigh. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named a 26-man World Cup squad featuring teenage sensation Lamine Yamal but conspicuously excluding any Real Madrid players, a selection that raised eyebrows given the club's dominance in La Liga Yamal in Spain squad. The U.S. men's national team meanwhile faced injury concerns ahead of their World Cup campaign, with several key players listed as doubtful for the tournament kicking off June 11 USMNT injury concerns. Iran shifted their World Cup training camp from the United States to Mexico after receiving FIFA approval, a logistical move driven by visa complications Iran camp moved to Mexico. At the club level, Celtic completed a domestic double under Martin O'Neill with Scottish Cup glory at Hampden, leaving questions about whether the manager will stay beyond his interim role Celtic domestic double.

Wider Football News

Harry Kane scored a hat trick as Bayern Munich beat Stuttgart 3-0 in the German Cup final, lifting his season tally to 61 goals and claiming Bayern's 21st cup title Kane hat trick in cup final. North Korea's Naegohyang FC won the Asian Women's Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Tokyo Verdy Beela in Suwon North Korea wins Asian Women's CL. A rare green 2018 Panini Kaboom card of Cristiano Ronaldo sold privately for $1.35 million, cementing the Portuguese star's commercial dominance even as his on-field output waned Ronaldo card sold for $1.35M. In the Saudi Pro League, João Félix was named player of the season ahead of his Al Nassr teammate Cristiano Ronaldo Felix beats Ronaldo for award. Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney predicted that Chelsea, having missed out on European football, will be "a real threat" in the Premier League next season Rooney on Chelsea threat. In Scotland, Eva Olid led Hearts to the SWPL title in her final season before departing, while Sophie Whitehouse's penalty masterclass sent Charlton Athletic into the Women's Super League for the first time Hearts SWPL champions