From Newcastle to Mohammedan, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of football's underdogs

From Newcastle to Mohammedan, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of football's underdogs.

Think about it. When you first read the story of David slaying the giant Goliath on Jerusalem soil, didn't you pray for David's victory with all your heart? Times have changed since then, but your support for the underdogs hasn't diminished one bit. Multiple studies have shown that your support for the underdogs is not unusual. Fairness, empathy, and narrative appeal also play a big role here. There are many studies on the subject.

2025 is the year of the underdogs in world football. From European football to Bangladesh, the scene has been the same this year. Newcastle, Bologna, Crystal Palace, and finally Mohammedan of Bangladesh, all of them have the same story of kissing the title despite not being favorites!

The story begins with Newcastle. I think this team is a bit inconsistent in this list. Why? Because the team now has a lot of money for the welfare of the Saudis. But if money could bring all the titles, then why would there be football and football? That is why Newcastle has made it to this list.

The team has packed a lot of players into the team in the last few years, but the title was not in their hands at all. That elusive title was captured in 2025. The team, of course, came very close to the title in 2023. However, the club had to return empty-handed from the title door after losing to Manchester United in the final.

However, that fate was not with them this time. This time the opponent was Liverpool, who were on the verge of winning the league. Newcastle beat them 2-1 to win the title. That put a 70-year drought behind them.

Former Italian champions Bologna had their last taste of title in the 1973-74 season. Since that Coppa Italia, the team's trophy case had been empty. A new trophy was finally added this year. The team defeated Milan 1-0 in the Italian Cup final.

The team's story is a little different again. The history of the pain of not getting their own is 51 years old, and the story of coach Vincenzo Italiano was also similar. The gentleman could never win a title in his coaching career. He had a history of losing two Europa Conference League finals and one Italian Cup final. This year, a champion's medal was also added to it.

Then last night, Crystal Palace and Mohammedan joined this list. Mohammedan was the most successful team in the history of Bangladeshi football. They had the feat of winning the most leagues. However, as soon as the Premier League era began, they also forgot to win the league, much like Liverpool before 2020!

However, Mohammedan's story is not only about forgetting to win the league. The club was once in danger of relegation, and was also involved in a casino scandal. All in all, the black and whites were destined to make headlines for negative reasons.

Then things started to change from the beginning of 2023. The team won the Federation Cup that year under the leadership of coach Alfaz Ahmed and manager Imtiaz Ahmed Naqib. Then, they finished runners-up in the league last season, and this time, they maintained their dominance from the beginning of the season and became the champions of the Bangladesh Premier League. Last evening, their loss to their closest rival Abahani Fortis FC confirmed the matter. That was their first Premier League title and after almost two decades, they won the league champion title.

On the same night, Crystal Palace also made history. The team won the FA Cup by defeating Manchester City 1-0. They have never won a title in their 120-year history. Finally, that drought ended last night.

It is impossible not to mention one person's name in the crowd of clubs. Harry Kane has been performing well in European football for a long time. He scored goal after goal, but he could not touch the title at all. He finally joined serial winner Bayern Munich from Tottenham Hotspur. But after he went there, that team also missed out on the Bundesliga, and he did not win the German Cup or the German Super Cup. So the question of whether he was 'unsafe' or not began to arise. Finally, Harry Kane has cleared that slander, that too in 2025. He has finally hung a champion's medal around his neck by winning the Bundesliga.

Another name can join this list. Tottenham last lifted a title in 2008. This time, the team has reached the Europa League final, where their opponent is Manchester United. If they win the title, a major title will be added to their trophy case after 17 years.

Even if the opponent United wins, the story will not change much. That is of course due to their position in the Premier League. Manchester United are currently in 16th place in the Premier League. They are going through the season with some embarrassing records, the team has not been able to win two consecutive matches this season, and they even have the 'fame' of 8 consecutive losses, all of which have happened for the first time in their history. Tottenham is no exception, the team has somehow avoided relegation from 17th position. So, whichever team wins the Europa League on May 22, the story will be one of underdogs enjoying the ecstasy.