THE PRINCE WHO FAILED TO BECOME THE KING

 

Image Credit – FC Barcelona.

Neymar Jr has announced his retirement from international football. The Brazilian played his last game against the Norwegians in the World Cup, wherein he did score a penalty in his final outing but failed to take his team to the ultimate glory. Looking into his fitness, it was almost certain that Neymar's time in the international arena is done, and the announcement post-World Cup just confirmed the same.

As a football fan who has been watching this beautiful game for the last 2 decades, one could surely say that Neymar, along with Hazard, were princes of football who failed to become the king. The 2013 Confederation Cup introduced Neymar onto the international stage, wherein he exhibited great skill and talent. Post this, there was no turning back as he joined FC Barcelona.

A year later Suarez joined the Culers, and we got the iconic trio of MSN – Messi, Suarez and Neymar. The trio dominated the Spanish as well as the European arenas as they completed a historic treble in 2014-15, followed by a domestic double in 2015-16.

In 2016-17, Neymar was at the peak of his powers. Not only did he lead his nation to a famous Olympic gold, but he also gave exceptional performances for FC Barcelona in the most crucial situations. Who can forget his brace against PSG in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16? The incredible 6-1 comeback would not have been possible without Neymar.

Everyone felt that it was just a matter of time that Neymar would lift his first Ballon d'Or trophy. Unfortunately, the same never happened. A few months later Neymar joined PSG on a record transfer fee of 222 million euros. The transfer broke the footballing world. The trio of MSN came to an end, but we also lost the Neymar who made us fall in love with his game.

Since 2017 it has all been downhill, and today it has all come to an end with his retirement. Yes, Neymar didn't become the king he was supposed to become. But he did give us moments which we will cherish and remember for long. His magic on the pitch can never be forgotten.

END OF AN ERA

 

Image Credit – The New York Times.

The FIFA World Cup has come to an end with Spain emerging as the champions of the world. The tournament indeed lived up to its expectations, as it was full of thrills and bits. The underdogs shocked the footballing royalty, whereas the superstars performed when needed the most. However, this is surely a World Cup which gave us multiple farewells and goodbyes. To be honest, the situation was such that after a single game we saw a curtain falling on a magnificent career. Neymar has announced his retirement from international football, whereas players like Modric, Ronaldo and Messi can hang up their boots at any moment. The 2026 World Cup truly marked the end of a golden era.

However, the maximum headlines were grabbed by Messi and Ronaldo. After all, for the last two decades, they have lit up the world stage like nobody else. For Messi the end is still pleasant despite losing the 2026 final, but for Ronaldo, the World Cup remains an unfulfilled dream. However, one cannot deny the fact that both legends gave their best in their final tournaments. Ronaldo made history as he scored in six consecutive editions of the World Cup. On the other hand, Messi carried his team like anything. Goals, assists – he did it all. Unfortunately, both of them ended up getting knocked out by Spain, who won their second World Cup after 16 long years.

Unfortunately, by the time the next World Cup comes, Messi will be 43 and Ronaldo 45. They will surely not be on the pitch but in the stands in the next edition. However, as football fans, they will forever live in our hearts. Thank you, G.O.A.T.S., for everything. You will be missed. 

THE DEMISE OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

 

Image Credit – Tribune.

The FIFA World Cup is here, but it doesn't feel like a festival anymore. Someone who has been watching football since 2006 would relate how one used to get excited when the mega-event arrived. The memories of the 2010 and 2014 World Cups are still fresh in your memories. Even the 2018 and 2022 World Cups gave us moments to cherish and cheer. But this time it's all dull.

Right from the broadcasting fiasco to the issues in the United States, the World Cup has been marred by various controversies. In India the broadcasting rights pushed everyone to a state of uncertainty about whether they will be able to enjoy the FIFA World Cup in their countries. It was only at the very last moment that the broadcasting rights were secured with a hefty fee for viewership. As a football fan, I still remember how we used to enjoy the game on our television set in the previous editions without any trouble. Unfortunately, this time it's the highlights on YouTube which have become the source of watching for the majority of Indian fans.

However, the worst is happening in the United States, wherein, for commercialization and money, the organizers have killed the soul of the beautiful game. The laws and system of America make it even worse, wherein teams are getting treated harshly. Be it the referee issue or the issue in regard to the Uruguay football team. Things haven't been so messy before.

Yes. After one month there will be one champion, but the spirit of the beautiful game has already been crushed and defeated. 

HOW THE MIGHTY HAS FALLEN

 

Image Credit – The Indian Express.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here. The top footballing nations will be locking horns against each other for the ultimate prize in world football. Unfortunately, one of the biggest footballing nations has yet again failed to qualify for the marquee event. Yes, you got it right. We are talking about the 4-time champion Italy, which since 2006 has been on a constant decline in world football.

Though they did win the 2021 European Championship. However, their performance in the last 20 years has been a sad story. In the 2010 and 2014 editions, they were knocked out in the group stage itself, which was surprising. But the real tragedy happened in 2018 when they failed to qualify for the World Cup itself. No one could believe what had happened. Everyone was in the state of shock. However, three consecutive World Cup misses prove that there is something fundamentally wrong in Italian football, which has also been pointed out by Jose Mourinho in the past.

Moreover, Italy has also been warned of being dropped as the co-host of the 2032 European Championship because of poor infrastructure. Thus, it can be said that Italian football has hit rock bottom, and it requires a fundamental change in both system and team, or else we will lose a great footballing nation forever. 

THE FAIRY-TALE

 

Image Credit—Revsportz.

The Indian Super League has come to an end with East Bengal FC ending up as the winners of the 2025-26 season. However, it was a season that no Indian football fan would ever forget. Firstly, there was the financial issue that pushed the league towards an uncertain future. However, after months of struggle and protest, we eventually got our league back, but with a reduced number of games. The stage was set, and it was now up to the players to make it memorable. And boy! What a league we have had.

The 2025-26 ISL season was indeed one of the closely fought seasons, with the difference of points between the teams that became champions and the team that ranked 7th being just 6 points. Moreover, winners Eastern Bengal and runners-up Mohun Bagan were tied at points, with goal difference being the deciding factor. The third-ranked team, Mumbai FC, was just one point below the winners. So, it can be said how intense the league was.

As a result, when Eastern Bengal won the title on the final day, their supporters erupted with joy. After all, the wait of 22 long years had come to an end. Moreover, the title race itself was like a script from Bollywood. Five teams remained mathematically in the running going into the final matchday, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal tied on points following their intense derby stalemate earlier this week. There was almost no room for error.

Hence, this wasn't just any trophy. For a team that has experienced years of upheaval, subpar performance, investor uncertainty, and unrelenting criticism since joining the ISL in 2020, it was redemption. East Bengal's journey from derby humiliations and bottom-half finishes to become Indian champions is one of tenacity. 

As a result, the 2025-26 season will be remembered by Indian football fans for long. After all, it is tales like this that make football a beautiful game. 

To know more about what this trophy means to the East Bengal FC, Click Here. 

AL-NASSR ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF SAUDI ARABIA

 

Image Credit: Goal.

The wait is finally over for Al-Nassr. The Saudi Giants have eventually won the league title after 7 long years. It is pertinent to note that since 2019, the men in yellow and blue have come closer again and again but always failed to clear the final front. Interestingly, in December 2022, they signed the charismatic Cristiano Ronaldo, which made their team a powerhouse. But, despite Ronaldo's inclusion, the club was struggling to perform in crucial moments, resulting in heartbreaks for both the fans and the players.

However, finally in his fourth attempt, Ronaldo managed to breach the hegemony of Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad and won his first and the club's 11th league title. Mind you. The contest was not easy at all. After all, Al-Hilal took the league to the final match day. But this time the men in yellow and blue did not buckle under pressure, and the players performed when needed the most.

Yes, the club failed to complete a historic double as they lost to Gamba Osaka in the ACL Two Final. But they did not let it affect them on the final matchday when they faced Damac. Captain Ronaldo led from the front as he scored a brace in his team's historic 4-1 win. There was joy all around when the final whistle was blown. Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are the champions of Saudi Arabia now.

The tears of pain have finally been replaced by tears of joy now. 

THE BATTLE OF RELEGATION

 Image Credit: Goal.

The Premier League season has come to an end with Arsenal lifting the title after 22 long years. However, the thing which garnered the maximum attention was whether Tottenham will play in the Premier League next season or not. For a long part of the season the men from North London were in the relegation zone. Something which no one could have ever imagined.

A club like Tottenham playing in the second division with unknown clubs. Simply unbelievable. Fortunate enough in the last five games, they managed to secure 3 wins and got past the relegation zone by just a couple of points. However, the club needs serious rebuilding right now.

It has just been a year since they won the Europa League title against Manchester United. But, since then, it has been a constant downfall. The club is struggling for points; forget about wins. Such is the state of affairs in Tottenham. Yes. They have survived the relation battle this year, but if they don't change much, we might see something unbelievable next season.

The club needs a complete makeover right now.