Since its inception, The Best Awards have stood out for their transparency and inclusivity, with voting equally split among national team captains, coaches, journalists, and supporters.

This year’s ceremony carries extra weight, serving as the curtain raiser for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The awards will celebrate excellence across multiple categories, including The Best FIFA Men’s and Women’s Player, The Best Coach, The Best Goalkeeper, and the FIFA Puskás Award for the most outstanding goal of the year.

Beyond accolades, the event represents FIFA’s core values of fairness, transparency, and global unity through football.

The Best FIFA Men’s Player Nominees

• Ousmane Dembélé (France / Paris Saint-Germain)
• Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
• Harry Kane (England / FC Bayern München)
• Kylian Mbappé (France / Real Madrid)
• Nuno Mendes (Portugal / Paris Saint-Germain)
• Cole Palmer (England / Chelsea)
• Pedri (Spain / Barcelona)
• Raphinha (Brazil / Barcelona)
• Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool)
• Vitinha (Portugal / Paris Saint-Germain)
• Lamine Yamal (Spain / Barcelona)

The Best FIFA Women’s Player Nominees

• Sandy Baltimore (France / Chelsea)
• Nathalie Björn (Sweden / Chelsea)
• Aitana Bonmatí (Spain / Barcelona)
• Lucy Bronze (England / Chelsea)
• Mariona Caldentey (Spain / Arsenal)
• Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current)
• Kadidiatou Diani (France / Olympique Lyonnais)
• Melchie Dumornay (Haiti / Olympique Lyonnais)
• Patri Guijarro (Spain / Barcelona)
• Lindsey Heaps (USA / Olympique Lyonnais)
• Lauren James (England / Chelsea)
• Chloe Kelly (England / Manchester City / Arsenal)
• Ewa Pajor (Poland / Barcelona)
• Claudia Pina (Spain / Barcelona)
• Alexia Putellas (Spain / Barcelona)
• Alessia Russo (England / Arsenal)
• Leah Williamson (England / Arsenal)

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach Nominees

• Javier Aguirre (Mexico)
• Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
• Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
• Hansi Flick (Barcelona)
• Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
• Roberto Martínez (Portugal)
• Arne Slot (Liverpool)

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach Nominees

• Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea)
• Jonatan Giráldez (Washington Spirit / Olympique Lyonnais)
• Seb Hines (Orlando Pride)
• Renée Slegers (Arsenal)
• Sarina Wiegman (England)

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Nominees

• Alisson Becker (Brazil / Liverpool)
• Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid)
• Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy / Paris Saint-Germain / Manchester City)
• Emiliano Martínez (Argentina / Aston Villa)
• Manuel Neuer (Germany / Bayern München)
• David Raya (Spain / Arsenal)
• Yann Sommer (Switzerland / Inter Milan)
• Wojciech Szczęsny (Poland / Barcelona)

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Nominees

• Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany / Gotham FC)
• Cata Coll (Spain / Barcelona)
• Christiane Endler (Chile / Olympique Lyonnais)
• Hannah Hampton (England / Chelsea)
• Anna Moorhouse (England / Orlando Pride)
• Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC / Brighton & Hove Albion)
• Phallon Tullis-Joyce (USA / Manchester United)

FIFA Fan Award Nominees

• Alejandro Ciganotto (Argentina)
• Manolo el del Bombo (Spain, posthumous)
• Zakho Fans (Iraq)

As excitement builds ahead of the ceremony, fans and analysts alike are already debating potential winners, with Kylian Mbappé, Aitana Bonmatí, and Chiamaka Nnadozie among early favourites to take home top honours.

 

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Manager Hansi Flick eased fan concerns by confirming the England international’s inclusion after weeks of speculation about Barcelona’s registration struggles ahead of the new season.

Alongside Rashford, fellow new arrivals Joan García and Roony Bardghji have also been registered, while long-serving defender Iñigo Martínez and other fringe players have departed the club.

UEFA’s official records reveal the squad list and shirt allocations, with Bardghji set to wear the No. 28 jersey for his first European campaign.

Promoted youngster Marc Bernal, added on deadline day, will sport the No. 22 shirt. Goalkeeper Joan García takes the No. 13, while injured captain Marc-André ter Stegen retains his iconic No. 1 jersey.

Barcelona’s Early Group Fixtures

• Thu, 18 Sept 2025 – Newcastle vs Barcelona | St James’ Park, Newcastle
• Wed, 1 Oct 2025 – Barcelona vs PSG | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona
• Tue, 21 Oct 2025 – Barcelona vs Olympiacos | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona
• Wed, 5 Nov 2025 – Club Brugge vs Barcelona | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges
• Tue, 25 Nov 2025 – Chelsea vs Barcelona | Stamford Bridge, London
• Tue, 9 Dec 2025 – Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona
• Wed, 21 Jan 2026 – Slavia Prague vs Barcelona | Fortuna Arena, Prague
• Wed, 28 Jan 2026 – Barcelona vs FC Copenhagen | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona

Full 23-Man Squad

Goalkeepers

• Marc-André ter Stegen
• Joan García
• Wojciech Szczęsny

Defenders

• Alejandro Balde
• Ronald Araújo
• Pau Cubarsí
• Andreas Christensen
• Marc Casadó
• Gerard Martín
• Jules Koundé
• Eric García

Midfielders

• Gavi
• Pedri
• Frenkie de Jong
• Marc Bernal

Forwards

• Ferran Torres
• Robert Lewandowski
• Lamine Yamal
• Raphinha
• Marcus Rashford
• Fermín López
• Dani Olmo
• Roony Bardghji

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The announcement was made through multiple media outlets and has since drawn widespread attention from football fans worldwide.

This year’s Ballon d’Or features a highly competitive line-up with top performances from PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Premier League players.

Kopa Trophy 2025 nominees

1. 1. Myles Lewis-Skelly
   2. Rodrigo Mora
   3. Joao Neves
   4. Lamine Yamal
   5. Kenan Yildiz
   6. Ayyoub Bouaddi
   7. Pau Cubarsi
   8. Désiré Doué
   9. Estevao
   10. Dean Huijsen

 

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Women’s 2025 Yachine Trophy nominees

1. 1. 1. Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC & Germany)
      2. Cata Coll (Barcelona & Spain)
      3. Hannah Hampton (Chelsea & England)
      4. Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Nigeria)
      5. Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal & Netherlands)

 

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2025 Yachine Trophy nominees

1. 1. 1. 1. Alisson Becker (Liverpool & Brazil)
         2. Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal & Morocco)
         3. Lucas Chevalier (Lille & France)
         4. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid & Belgium)
         5. Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG & Italy)
         6. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa & Argentina)
         7. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid & Slovenia)
         8. David Raya (Arsenal & Spain)
         9. Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest & Belgium)
         10. Yann Sommer (Inter Milan)

 

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2025 Women’s Kopa Trophy nominees

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Michelle Agyemang
            2. Linda Caicedo
            3. Wieke Kaptein
            4. Vicky Lopez
            5. Claudia Martinez Ovando

 

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2025 Women’s Team Coach of the Year nominees

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Sonia Bompastor
               2. Arthur Elias
               3. Justine Madugu
               4. Renée Slegers
               5. Sarina Wiegman

 

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2025 Men’s Team Coach of the Year nominees

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Antonio Conte
                  2. Luis Enrique
                  3. Hansi Flick
                  4. Enzo Maresca
                  5. Arne Slot

 

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2025 Women’s Club of the Year

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Arsenal FC
                     2. Barcelona
                     3. Chelsea
                     4. OL Lyonnes
                     5. Orlando Pride

 

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2025 Men’s Club of the Year

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. • Barcelona
                        • Botafogo
                        • Chelsea
                        • Liverpool
                        • Paris Saint-Germain

 

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Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. • 1. Lucy Bronze (Chelsea & England)
                          2. Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride & Zambia)
                          3. Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona & Spain)
                          4. Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea & France)
                          5. Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal & Spain)
                          6. Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich & Germany)
                          7. Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit & Italy)
                          8. Steph Catley (Arsenal & Australia)
                          9. Melchie Dumornay (Lyon & Haiti)
                          10. Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current & Malawi)
                          11. Emily Fox (Arsenal & USA)
                          12. Cristiana Girelli (Juventus & Italy)
                          13. Esther Gonzalez (Gotham & Spain)
                          14. Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona & Norway)
                          15. Patri Guijarro (Barcelona & Spain)
                          16. Amanda Gutierres (Palmeiras & Brazil)
                          17. Hannah Hampton (Chelsea & England)
                          18. Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich & Denmark)
                          19. Lindsey Heaps (Lyon & USA)
                          20. Chloe Kelly (Arsenal & England)
                          21. Marta (Orlando Pride & Brazil)
                          22. Frida Leonhardsen Maanum (Arsenal & Norway)
                          23. Ewa Pajor (Barcelona & Poland)
                          24. Clara Mateo (Paris FC & France)
                          25. Alessia Russo (Arsenal & England)
                          26. Claudia Pina (Barcelona & Spain)
                          27. Alexia Putellas (Barcelona & Spain)
                          28. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea & Sweden)
                          29. Caroline Weir (Real Madrid & Scotland)
                          30. Leah Williamson (Arsenal & England)

 

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Men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 nominees

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. • 1. 1. Ousmane Dembele (PSG & France)
                             2. Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG & Italy)
                             3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid & England)
                             4. Desire Doue (PSG & France)
                             5. Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan & Netherlands)
                             6. Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund & Guinea)
                             7. Erling Haaland (Man City & Norway)
                             8. Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal & Sweden)
                             9. Achraf Hakimi (PSG & Morocco)
                             10. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England)
                             11. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG & Georgia)
                             12. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland)
                             13. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool & Argentina)
                             14. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan & Argentina)
                             15. Scott McTominay (Napoli & Scotland)
                             16. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid & France)
                             17. Nuno Mendes (PSG & Portugal)
                             18. Joao Neves (PSG & Portugal)Pedri (Barcelona & Spain)
                             19. Cole Palmer (Chelsea & England)
                             20. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich & France)
                             21. Raphinha (Barcelona & Brazil)
                             22. Declan Rice (Arsenal & England)
                             23. Fabian Ruiz (PSG & Spain)
                             24. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool & Netherlands)
                             25. Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid & Brazil)
                             26. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)
                             27. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool & Germany)
                             28. Vitinha (PSG & Portugal)
                             29. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona & Spain)

 

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Barcelona midfielder Pedri has officially signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2030. The renewal had been a top priority for Barcelona’s board, as his previous deal was set to expire in 2026.

Pedri’s decision to extend his stay comes as a major boost for the club, particularly for head coach Hansi Flick, who has openly expressed his admiration for the talented midfielder.

Classy pic.twitter.com/Ol3wdZZKVj

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 30, 2025

The Spanish international made his Barcelona debut during the 2020/21 season in a 4-0 victory over Villarreal in September. He soon followed it up with his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 5-1 win over Ferencváros in October, before netting his first La Liga goal against Real Betis the following month.

Barcelona released an official statement confirming the contract extension:

“Barcelona and the player, Pedro González ‘Pedri,’ have agreed a contract renewal, and he is set to stay with the club until June 30, 2030. The Blaugrana midfielder signed his new contract today in the presence of FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta, first vice-president Rafa Yuste, and the club’s director of football, Anderson Luis de Souza ‘Deco’.”

𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗿! 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/SF4b48HU3Z

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 30, 2025

Pedri, who won the 2021 Golden Boy Award and the Kopa Trophy, becomes the latest key player to commit his future to the club. Ronald Araújo has also signed a new deal, while Gavi is expected to follow soon.

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Hansi Flick, the new Barcelona boss, has hinted at bringing changes to the club’s traditional possession-based playing style in the upcoming 2024/25 season. Flick, who took charge of the club earlier this summer following Xavi Hernandez’s departure, aims to introduce a more pressing game in the opposition’s half with a focus on scoring as many goals as possible.

Flick, a former Germany and Bayern Munich boss, replaced Xavi after the club legend went trophyless last season despite guiding the Catalan giants to two title wins, including a La Liga triumph, in his first full season at Camp Nou.

Speaking to Barca One, Flick said, “Here the tradition is to play with passing, but I also want them to go straight to the goal. They should focus a bit more on scoring. I don’t think my style has any major changes. I’m looking for the same thing, to press high up, and to play in the opponent’s midfield. But, at the end of the day, you have to win. Everything is about winning games and at Barca, you have to play well.

“All I can say is that we want to be an active team. We have to be active with and without the ball. It’s up to us to make it that way. We can make the opponent go in the direction we want and win the ball back as quickly as possible. I like my teams to press the opponent at the right moment, and sometimes higher up. And with the ball, all players have to have as much freedom as possible. That’s how I see it from a technical point of view.”

He added, “We have our philosophy and we have our style. We know how we want to play, but every match is a challenge. During the course of a match, there can be changes. Always looking for the best for the team.

“We can decide to move a midfielder forward or move him to another position. But the change can also come in the way we press. These are small details that we can implement depending on what the opponent offers us. The changes will be applied depending on the match and the rival. We will always be open to modifying these small details.”

The Blaugrana will play their first pre-season friendly in the United States on July 30, taking on English reigning champions Manchester City in Orlando.

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The Bundesliga giants had been searching for a new manager since agreeing to part ways with Thomas Tuchel at the end of the 2023/24 season in February. Despite being linked with former managers Julian Nagelsmann and Hansi Flick, as well as Ralf Rangnick, Bayern failed to reach agreements with any of them. Talks of potentially retaining Tuchel were dismissed by club chiefs.

After considering other options like Erik ten Hag, Thomas Frank, and Roberto De Zerbi, Bayern settled on Burnley boss Kompany.

In his statement to Bayern channels, Kompany expressed his excitement for the challenge, calling it a great honor to work for the club. He emphasized his coaching philosophy, highlighting the importance of creativity, aggression, and courage on the pitch. Kompany also expressed eagerness to work with the players and build a successful team.

Vincent Kompany is the new head coach of FC Bayern, putting pen to paper on a deal until 2027 🔴⚪#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/XHQs4mmOUw

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) May 29, 2024

Kompany said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of FC Bayern. It’s a great honour to be able to work for this club – FC Bayern is an institution in international football. As a coach, you have to stand for who you are as a person: I love having the ball, being creative – and we also have to be aggressive on the pitch and courageous. I’m now looking forward to the most basic things: working with the players, building a team. When the foundation is in place, success will follow.”

Max Eberl: “We are delighted that we have signed Vincent Kompany for FC Bayern. In our talks with him, we were immediately on the same page. He made it clear to us how much the job at FC Bayern appeals to him and that he absolutely wants to take it on. Vincent Kompany is hungry and has everything he needs: Even as a player, he was a leading figure in top international football and is also making progress as a coach. We would like to see more continuity in this position. Together with him, we want to achieve a lot at FC Bayern – and of course be successful together.”

Kompany led Burnley to the Championship title in 2022/23 with attractive possession football. However, his young side struggled in the Premier League, resulting in relegation back to the second tier.

Prior to managing Burnley, Kompany spent time in charge of Anderlecht, both as a manager and player-coach. With a win percentage of 43.23%, he has overseen 83 wins, 58 draws, and 51 losses across 192 games in management.

Kompany faces a significant task at Bayern, as they finished third in the Bundesliga in the 2023/24 season behind Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart.

🗣️ Vincent Kompany: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of FC Bayern. It’s a great honour to be able to work for this club – FC Bayern is an institution in international football.”

🔗 https://t.co/pnLojm8U95#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/BSzOLAAHAV

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) May 29, 2024

3️⃣ questions with our new head coach, Vincent Kompany 👋📽️#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/sN54Lxlmh9

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) May 29, 2024

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Xavi had announced in January his intention to step down at the end of the season. However, after a late-season resurgence in form, he reversed this decision. Despite the improved results, Barcelona made the surprising move to sack him.

During the period when it seemed certain that Xavi would depart, Barcelona was heavily linked with Hansi Flick. The club has now officially announced his arrival.

It's our moment.
Flick is here. pic.twitter.com/ysb35a6l35

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 29, 2024

Flick has been without a job since September 2023, following his dismissal as Germany’s head coach after a poor run leading up to Euro 2024. His tenure included Germany’s group stage exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and only 12 wins in 25 matches.

Before managing the German national team, Flick had a successful stint at Bayern Munich. From November 2019 to June 2021, he won two Bundesliga titles, a Champions League, and four other trophies.

His Bayern team was known for the ‘Flicka-Flacka‘ style, akin to Barcelona’s ‘tiki-taka’ philosophy, and famously defeated Barcelona 8-2 in the 2020 Champions League.

Flick’s appointment has been met with optimism by the Catalan press. However, Xavi offered a word of caution to his successor.

“They should know that they’ve got a difficult situation because Barca is a difficult club and there’s an adverse financial situation too – it won’t be easy at all,” Xavi told DAZN. “He will suffer. This is a very complicated place to be.”

As Flick steps into his new role, he inherits a team with high expectations and significant challenges, aiming to steer Barcelona back to its former glory.

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The Spaniard’s tenure as head coach of La Blaugrana ended just a month after it was announced he would remain in the position, having initially intended to step down at the end of the season.

Hansi Flick is expected to take over at Camp Nou next, with Sunday’s league encounter against Sevilla officially being Xavi’s final match in charge.

Speaking ahead of his final game as Barca manager, Xavi was asked about his future in management and reiterated his aspiration to return to Barcelona one day.

When asked whether he would like to come back to coach the club another time, Xavi said: “Yes, I would like a return, why not?

“Barcelona is the club of my life. I have enjoyed this experience and also suffered, of course. But I love being at this club and working for it. It’s been a tough last week, but I have my conscience very clear. I’m proud and happy.

“When we got here we knew it was a difficult time for the club and I think we can be proud of the work we have done.

“I’m grateful to the president and I haven’t had any problems with the leaders. I’m a club man and I’ve adapted to the circumstances. The president gave me his reasons and I have no choice but to accept his decision.

“I’m not closing the door on returning – I’m a professional, I’m a coach and it could happen. I didn’t imagine this goodbye, but I have no choice but to respect it.”

On November 6, 2021, Xavi took Ronald Koeman’s place as Barca’s manager. His agreement was set to end in 2025. The 44-year-old won the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga with Barcelona in the previous year.

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Xavi Hernandez, the Barcelona legend, has broken his silence since the Catalan club’s decision to dismiss him at the conclusion of the season.

Initially planning to step down at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, Xavi had a change of heart due to an improvement in results. However, exactly a month after this announcement, Barcelona has opted to part ways with the 44-year-old manager. Xavi is poised to oversee his final match as Barca’s coach when they face Sevilla on Sunday.

He wrote on Instagram: “Dear fans, my time on the Barça bench will end on Sunday. It’s never easy to leave the club of your life, but I do it very proudly, after two and a half years at the head of a dressing room that has been like a second family.

I want to thank the support and affection of the fans, who have always been by my side and have always shown me the same love as during my time as a footballer. From Sunday I will be one more culer (Barcelona supporter) in the stands, either now at the Olympic Stadium or in a few months at the Nou Camp.

Because before I am a player or a coach, I am a Barcelona fan and I only want the best for the club of my life, which will always have me at its disposal.

“I have worked with a group of fantastic players and with a spectacular staff. Thanks to all of them, we have been achieving the objectives set, culminating last year with a League and a Super Cup.

This season things didn’t go as we wanted, but we put our heads together and helped grow a new generation of young footballers from La Masia who inspire all of us Barcelona fans. Many thanks to all.

To the fans, the players, the staff, the club employees, the President, the Board of Directors, the sports directors, the media and everyone with whom I have shared the journey over these two and a half seasons. I wish the best to the club that I carry in my heart.

“Visca Barça.”

 

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Earlier in May, Xavi reportedly incurred the displeasure of club president Joan Laporta when he addressed Barcelona’s financial challenges.

Consequently, former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick is poised to replace the former Spanish midfielder, with a pivotal, phone conversation between Flick and sporting director Deco allegedly sealing the decision.

Having spent 24 years as a player at Barcelona before joining Al Sadd in 2015, Xavi will now explore new managerial, possibly after a hiatus from the sport. This marks the conclusion of his two-and-a-half-year tenure at Barca.

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Pep Guardiola is the first manager in history to win the treble with two different teams.

His Manchester City side won the UEFA Champions League final 1-0 against Inter on Saturday night, completing their trophy tally for the 2022/23 season. Rodri scored the game-winning goal.

Man City defeated Arsenal to reclaim first place in the Premier League this season, with the Gunners ceding the crown after leading for 248 days – a record for a team that did not finish first.

Last week, they defeated rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final. The Citizens won at Wembley Stadium thanks to a brace from Ilkay Gundogan and a penalty from Bruno Fernandes.

Experiments by the Citizens By this definition, Guardiola is the only manager in history to have achieved the treble on two different occasions and with two distinct teams.

• Managers who have achieved the treble

When Jock Stein’s Celtic team won on all fronts in 1966–1967, he became the first manager to secure the treble.

Then, two Dutch teams followed in the footsteps of Stein and Celtic, with Stefan Kovacs doing it with Ajax in 1971–1972 and Guus Hiddink with PSV in 1987–1988.

Hiddink’s triumph was followed by Sir Alex Ferguson’s victory with Manchester United in 1998–1999.

In 2008–09, during his first campaign as Barcelona’s manager, Guardiola captured his first triple title by defeating Ferguson’s Manchester United in the Champions League final.

Next to complete the triple was his professional adversary Jose Mourinho, whose Inter team eliminated Barça from the Champions League on their way to victory the very next season.

Following three runners-up finishes in 2011/12, Bayern Munich accomplished a remarkable treble under Jupp Heynckes in 2012/13.

Barcelona won their second treble under Luis Enrique in 2014/15, led by a formidable front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar.

Hansi Flick took over as Bayern Munich manager in the middle of the 2019/20 season and led them to glory in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and Champions League.

Guardiola’s Manchester City are the latest team to etch their name into the annals of football history.

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A dejected-looking Kai Havertz acknowledged that Germany’s terrifying World Cup elimination looked like a “horror movie.”

The Chelsea forward scored twice after coming on as a second-half substitute to help Hansi Flick’s side come from behind and defeat Costa Rica 4-2.

However, Japan’s unexpected victory over Spain rendered Germany’s triumph meaningless, as La Roja advanced to the knockout stages as a result of their significantly better goal difference.

The dubious nature of Japan’s game-winning goal did little to lift Havertz’s spirits, and after being compelled to collect his man of the match award, a picture of the dejected-looking 23-year-old went viral.

Germany’s defeat marks their second consecutive departure from the World Cup group stage, and they also underperformed at the Euros last summer, losing to England in the round of 16 due to poor performance.

RELATED:

• Kai Havertz ties a World Cup Record for Germany
• Hansi Flick reacts to pressure to resign after Germany’s World Cup exit.
• Trent Alexander-Arnold responds to claims that his defence is “lazy.”

‘When it happens this way, it feels like watching like a horror movie,’ said Havertz.

‘We learned during the match that Japan were leading, and then the rankings were displayed in the stadium. We still had a little hope that Spain would score.

‘But then we noticed that the Japan match was over.’

Havertz implied that things were not going well in German football and criticized the team’s performance against Japan for their elimination.

‘When you go out twice in the first round and once in the round of 16, it’s extremely bitter.

‘We have to be honest and say that for four years, everything hasn’t been going well.Now we’ve been knocked out twice in the group stage. I don’t think we’re a tournament team anymore.’

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