The world of sport in 2025 served up its usual diet of drama and triumph, but it was the surreal, the unexpected, and the downright bizarre that truly captured the public's imagination. From the Oval Office to non-league floodlights, this was a year where animals, autocues, and late-night tweets often stole the headlines.
Political Crossovers and Boardroom Blunders
Politics and sport became increasingly intertwined. In April, as global markets reeled from tariff-induced losses of $6.6tn, the White House press corps received a presidential update focused solely on Donald Trump advancing to the championship round of a senior golf club tournament in Florida. FIFA president Gianni Infantino later stood in the Oval Office, praising Trump's "incredible energy" even as the then-president floated the idea of bombing World Cup co-hosts Mexico.
In the boardroom, confidence proved fleeting. RB Leipzig's Marcel Schäfer gave multiple public votes of confidence to coach Marco Rose in February and March, only to sack him by 30 March. Similar scenes played out at Tranmere and Reading, where chairmen's emphatic public backing for managers Nigel Adkins and Noel Hunt preceded their swift dismissals weeks later.
Modern Football's Curious Tales
The beautiful game provided ample material. Manchester United's owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, scrapped subsidised staff lunches at Old Trafford, remarking, "no one's ever given me a free lunch." Chelsea's Cole Palmer trademarked his "Cold Palmer" celebration for use on everything from toys to spirits, though a French winemaker blocked its use on wine.
Social media teams had a busy year. Nottingham Forest's media department masterfully framed owner Evangelos Marinakis's pitch-side confrontation with manager Nuno Espirito Santo as a demonstration of "leadership... through action and presence." Meanwhile, Norwich defender Shane Duffy clarified that calling a fan a "knob" on X came from "frustration, not a lack of respect."
Animals, Accidents, and Unlikely Heroes
The natural world repeatedly interrupted play. A fly landing on Tommy Fleetwood's ball at the BMW Championship caused it to drop for a crucial birdie, netting him an extra £56,000. A goat joined the Giro d'Italia peloton, a snake delayed the PGA Championship, and a rat prompted Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to attempt an impromptu catch during a World Cup qualifier in Cardiff.
Mascots also made headlines for the wrong reasons. South Sydney's 81-year-old Reggie Rabbit apologised after being filmed shoving a nine-year-old fan, while St Albans City's Sammy the Saint was led away by stewards at Burton Albion after appearing unsteady and falling over a hoarding.
Viral Journeys and Heartwarming Moments
Some stories celebrated pure passion. Fifteen-year-old Peruvian Cliver Huamán made an 18-hour trip from his family farm to Lima to commentate on the Copa Libertadores final. Denied entry, he climbed a hill overlooking the stadium and broadcast to 2.2 million new TikTok followers.
In a poignant tribute, Crystal Palace fans unveiled a pre-FA Cup final tifo recreating a 2011 TV shot of two young boys celebrating with their father, Mark, who died in 2017. The now-grown sons, Nathan and Dominic, were at Wembley to see it. "We broke down in tears," Nathan said.
From the absurdity of darts star Michael van Gerwen injuring his neck trying on a shirt, to the confusion of Philadelphia's mayor leading a chant of "E-L-G-S-E-S," 2025 proved that sport's most memorable moments are often its most human and unpredictable.
