KUCHING: As fans around the globe mark World Football Day, 2025 will be remembered as the year of fairytale finishes, with long-standing droughts ending, and new heroes emerging on football’s biggest stages.
The world of football has witnessed underdogs rise, curses broken, and dreams finally realised, making this year’s World Football Day on May 25 especially meaningful for fans worldwide.
Closer to home, Kuching City FC capped off a historic season with a strong fourth-place finish in the Malaysian Super League, amassing 39 points from 10 wins, nine draws, and just five losses.
The club founded in 2015 highlights the steady growth of football in Sarawak and across the region.
The end of the season marks a period of miracles and milestones for Kuching City FC – mirroring major comebacks by clubs around the world.
Globally, 2025 has become a year of long-awaited football triumphs.
Harry Kane, long mocked for his lack of silverware, finally lifted a league title as Bayern Munich clinched the Bundesliga crown.
After years of near misses with Tottenham Hotspur, the England striker broke the so-called “Kane curse” with his move to Germany.
Ironically, Tottenham also ended their own trophy drought, which had stretched back to 2008 by winning the Europa League, thanks to a decisive goal from Brennan Johnson.
Despite finishing 17th in the Premier League, the North London club also pulled off a shock qualification to the Champions League.
In Italy, fallen giants Bologna FC celebrated their first major silverware in over five decades by winning the Coppa Italia – a triumph that brought joy to generations of long-suffering supporters.
Their last major title dated back to 1974.
Meanwhile, in England, Newcastle United ended a 70-year wait for a trophy.
Under Eddie Howe’s leadership and new club ownership, they beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final to claim their first piece of silverware since 1955, a moment that electrified the Geordie faithful.
Arguably the most fairytale story of all came from Crystal Palace, a club that turned professional in 1905 but had never won a top-flight trophy until now.
Under Oliver Glasner, Palace stunned football giants Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final, completing a historic chapter more than a century in the making.
These landmark victories remind fans why football continues to be called “the beautiful game”.
As the global football community unites to celebrate World Football Day, 2025 stands out as a year when belief, patience and perseverance were finally rewarded – from Sarawak to Europe and beyond.
