Listen, I've been covering football for eight years now, and I swear every season makes less sense than the last.

My mate Dave texted me in September: "Liverpool won't even make top four under Slot." Fast forward to May, and they're lifting the Premier League trophy while I'm deleting screenshots of my "hot takes" from Twitter. God, I feel stupid now.

But here's the thing that really broke my brain this season - PSG actually won the bloody Champions League. AFTER getting rid of their three superstars. I mean, what are the odds? My editor bet me £50 that they'd crash out in the group stage without Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé. Well, joke's on both of us because they didn't just survive... they thrived.

And don't even get me started on Tottenham winning the Europa League while finishing 17th in the Prem with 38 points. That's like... I don't even have a comparison for that level of chaos.

So yeah, 2025 is definitely getting a new Ballon d'Or winner. The Messi-Ronaldo era is officially dead and buried, Rodri spent half the season injured watching City implode, and honestly? I'm here for the chaos.

Fair warning: PSG players dominate this list because, well, they actually won the thing that matters most. Only one Premier League star made my top 10, which probably says everything about how wild this season was...

10. Pedri - The Quiet Genius Nobody Talks About

Poor Pedri. Gets completely overshadowed by 17-year-old Lamine Yamal (more on him later), but quietly had one of the most consistent seasons I've witnessed.

The 22-year-old played 37 LaLiga games, missing just ONE match all season. Plus all 14 Champions League games, including that absolutely bonkers 7-6 aggregate loss to Inter Milan that nearly gave me a heart attack just watching it.

Four goals, five assists in the league. Not flashy numbers, but Barcelona don't win LaLiga without him pulling the strings in midfield.

Why Mbappé's "Dream Move" Became a Nightmare

This one hurts to write because I genuinely thought Kylian would tear up LaLiga.

Instead, Real Madrid finished second behind Barca, lost both Spanish cup finals, and got knocked out by Arsenal in the Champions League quarters. Meanwhile, his old club PSG went and won the one trophy that always escaped them.

The irony is almost too perfect, isn't it?

Credit where it's due though - 43 goals across all competitions isn't exactly shabby. That hat-trick against City was pure magic. But trophies matter, and this season didn't deliver for the French superstar.

8. Lautaro Martinez - Captain Fantastic

Inter Milan had the most frustrating season imaginable. Second in Serie A, Champions League runners-up, Supercoppa runners-up... so close to greatness, yet so far.

Martinez scored 22 goals, including nine in the Champions League run to the final. As captain, he carried that team further than anyone expected.

Sometimes being the best player on the second-best team counts for something.

The Italian Wall Finally Lives Up to the Hype

Gianluigi Donnarumma played every single Champions League match for PSG. All 15 of them.

At 6'5", he's basically a human skyscraper, and this season he finally looked like the goalkeeper everyone thought he'd become when he left Milan. Some of his saves in the knockout rounds were genuinely ridiculous.

Goalkeepers rarely win the Ballon d'Or, but if PSG's European triumph means anything, Donnarumma deserves serious recognition.

6. Désiré Doué - The Kid Who Came From Nowhere

Honestly? I'd barely heard of this 19-year-old before this season started.

Now he's scored twice in a Champions League final and everyone's calling him the next big thing. Five goals in 16 European games, including those two crucial strikes that sealed PSG's historic win.

The media are already pushing this "new Messi-Ronaldo rivalry" between him and Yamal. Bit early for that chat, but... the kid's got something special.

Kvara's Trophy-Collecting Tour

What a mental year for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Wins Serie A with Napoli, then moves to PSG in January and immediately wins four more trophies.

That's five major trophies in one season. FIVE.

His goal in the Champions League final was the cherry on top of what might be the most successful individual season I've ever seen. The Georgian wizard just collects silverware like some people collect stamps.

4. Raphinha's Record-Breaking Rampage

For a while there, I genuinely thought the former Leeds winger might break Cristiano's Champions League scoring record.

21 goal contributions in 14 European games is absolutely mental. Add 27 more in LaLiga, and you've got easily the best season of his career.

Remember when people questioned if he was good enough for Barcelona? Yeah, about that...

Mo Salah: Still Absolutely Ridiculous at 32

The only Premier League player in my top 10, and honestly, it's not even close.

47 Premier League goal contributions. FORTY-SEVEN. At 32 years old. His fourth Golden Boot win ties the all-time record, and he basically carried Liverpool to their 20th title.

Also signed a new contract after the season ended, which probably means we'll be watching him terrorize defenses for another few years. Defenders everywhere are crying.

The 17-Year-Old Who Might Break Everything

Lamine Yamal is 17 and already has 100 competitive games for Barcelona. Seventeen!

22 LaLiga goal contributions, eight more in Europe, and he's still young enough that his mum probably packs his lunch.

Ronaldo was 21 when he won his first Ballon d'Or - the youngest ever. If Yamal wins this year, that record gets absolutely demolished. Even if he doesn't win now, he'll probably break it within the next couple of seasons anyway.

The kid is genuinely frightening.

1. Ousmane Dembélé - The Unlikely Hero

Nobody saw this coming. Not even me.

With Mbappé gone, everyone expected PSG to struggle for goals. Instead, Dembélé stepped up like he'd been waiting his whole career for this moment.

33 goals in a quadruple-winning campaign. Fourteen goal contributions in the Champions League alone. The man was absolutely unstoppable when it mattered most.

Luis Enrique built his attack around the Frenchman, and honestly? It worked better than anyone imagined.

If PSG's historic Champions League win doesn't get Dembélé the Ballon d'Or, I don't know what will. He's my pick, and I'm sticking to it.

(Watch me look like a complete mug when Yamal wins it instead...)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it mandatory to wear football specific clothing, or am I allowed to wear any athletic wear?

Football-specific clothing can be worn, but it's recommended. It is made to increase performance and comfort. The jerseys and shorts used are made from lightweight materials, which allow air to flow freely, reducing sweat and overheating. The fit is also tailored to enable a full range of motion, which can improve your overall agility and response times during play.

What are some of the essential items needed to play football?

A jersey or shirt is required to play football, as are shorts with stockings. Shin guards and football boots, or cleats. Goalkeepers usually require additional equipment such as specialized glove and sometimes padded clothes to protect them when diving and jumping. It's imperative for players to wear the correct attire to maintain safety and comply with the rules of the sport.

Should I wear compression gear when playing football?

Compression clothing, like shorts or leggings for women, can benefit football players. It increases blood circulation, helps reduce muscle fatigue, speeds up recovery and improves performance after games or training. The tightly fitting material is also believed to provide a degree of muscle stabilization. The choice to wear compression equipment is personal. Comfort should be the main consideration when selecting this type of equipment.

Can the choice of socks impact a football player's performance?

Absolutely. Football socks have been designed to protect and support a player’s feet when they are playing intensely. They provide cushioning, help keep shin guards secure, reduce friction and prevent blisters. Good football socks improve the comfort of a player, which in turn can influence their performance.

What factors should I take into consideration when selecting a ball?

When choosing a football, consider the size, material, and construction. Standard size for adults and players above the age of 12, is 5. Younger players should use smaller sizes appropriate for their age. The material should be suited for the playing environment - leather for natural grass and synthetic materials for rougher surfaces. Thermo-bonded footballs are more waterproof and retain their shape better than those stitched. Durability, touch, and flight stability are also important characteristics to examine.

Statistics

• A survey found that nearly 80% of football players believe that high-quality football socks are essential for optimal performance.
• Compression garments are used by about 50% of professional football players during training sessions for muscle support and injury prevention.
• Approximately 40% of amateur football players wear boots that are not properly fitted, increasing the risk of foot injuries.
• Goalkeeper gloves with advanced grip technology have been adopted by 85% of professional goalkeepers in top leagues around the world.
• Research has indicated that around 60% of football-related ankle injuries could be mitigated with the correct choice of footwear.

External Links

nike.com

• Nike Football

prodirectsoccer.com

• Pro:Direct Soccer

puma.com

• PUMA Football Gear

decathlon.co.uk

• Decathlon

podiatrytoday.com

• Podiatry Today's Guide on Soccer Cleats

How To

How To Care For Your Football Equipment

By maintaining your football gear, you can extend its life and maintain good hygiene. Boots should always be cleaned after use and left to air dry. Avoid using direct heat as it can damage material. Shin guards or gloves should be wiped clean and let air dry to prevent odors. Examine your gear on a regular basis for signs and wear. Pay special attention to areas that receive the most stress while playing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when washing protective padding and apparel to prevent shrinkage.