MADRID — In a year without a major international football tournament, club football dominated the headlines, with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) emerging as one of the standout winners, Xinhua reported in its review of the 2025 football season.

PSG capped the season by winning the Uefa Champions League in late May with a 5-0 rout of Inter Milan, as coach Luis Enrique underlined the value of cohesion over a collection of star names.

The former Spain coach has built a side that blends technical quality with pace and aggression, and after years of domestic dominance, PSG fully justified its first European crown.

Ousmane Dembele set the tone and was later named Ballon d’Or winner and Fifa Best Men’s Player. Despite a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Fifa Club World Cup final, PSG looks well-placed to maintain its grip on French football and mount another Champions League challenge.

In England, Liverpool stormed to the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season after replacing Jurgen Klopp. However, after heavy summer spending, expectations of further dominance have given way to a difficult campaign, with new signings struggling to gel and Slot facing growing pressure.

Barcelona enjoyed a successful first season under Hansi Flick, winning La Liga despite strict financial limits and playing home matches at the former Olympic Stadium while Camp Nou undergoes renovation.

Lamine Yamal drew the biggest headlines, but Flick also earned credit for elevating players such as Raphinha, Pedri, Fermín López and Ferran Torres.