Barcelona have officially sealed the 2024/2025 La Liga title in dominant fashion, confirming their status as champions with a 2-0 win over Espanyol.

With two games still to spare, the Blaugrana have wrapped up their 28th league crown, a feat that has not only delighted fans but also drawn congratulations from rivals including Real Madrid.

Real Madrid, who momentarily delayed the title celebrations with a late win against Mallorca courtesy of Jacobo Ramon, took to social media shortly after the dust had settled to send a brief but respectful message: “Congratulations to FC Barcelona for the 2024-2025 League.”

It was a rare public acknowledgement that underlined just how impressive Barcelona’s campaign has been.

A title to be proud of
Indeed, this was not just any league title, it was one earned with resilience, tactical clarity, and a deep sense of unity. Under the direction of Hansi Flick, the Catalan giants have rediscovered their identity.

The team has combined a high-octane pressing system with tactical discipline, managing to dominate matches both home and away.

Key performances this season include four wins over Real Madrid, an unforgettable comeback win against Atletico Madrid, and netting a staggering 95 goals en route to the title.

The most remarkable aspect? Barcelona have achieved all this with just one significant summer signing: Dani Olmo. With tight restrictions due to financial fair play, the club turned inward, and the gamble paid off.

Youngsters like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Fermín Lopez, and Pedri have stepped up in ways that few could have imagined. Yamal, in particular, has emerged as a generational talent, often carrying the attack on his shoulders with dazzling displays.

Beyond domestic dominance, Barça also lifted the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, completing a domestic treble. Flick, in his first season in charge, has not only brought silverware but also restored belief in the long-term project.

His ability to extract the best from a youthful squad and instil tactical discipline has drawn praise across the footballing world.

Barcauniversal.com

Eight nominees but only one can win. Who gets your vote as the BEST performer of the Premier League campaign?

Eight players have been shortlisted for the 2024/25 EA SPORTS Player of the Season award after starring in the Premier League this campaign.

Three stars of Liverpool’s title-winning campaign – Ryan Gravenberch, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk – have been nominated, along with Nottingham Forest duo Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood, plus Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo, and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice. But who gets your vote?

You, the fans, have until 12:00 BST on Monday 19 May to vote for your favourite via the EA SPORTS website.

The public votes will be combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the winner, who will be revealed next week.

EA SPORTS Player of the Season shortlist

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
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English midfielder Gibbs-White has been the driving force behind Nottingham Forest’s incredible season. He has produced six goals and eight assists, and created 50 chances. The 25-year-old has also won 148 duels and made 42 tackles, contributing at both ends of the pitch as Forest push for a top-five finish, having already secured European qualification for the first time in 30 years.

Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
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Gravenberch has been the heartbeat of Arne Slot’s champions, playing a pivotal role as the anchor of Liverpool’s midfield as the Reds won only their second Premier League title. The 22-year-old Dutchman has missed only one match and has won 176 duels, made 67 tackles and 57 interceptions, and contributed in attack with four assists. No Liverpool player has won possession back from opponents as often as Gravenberch (185 times), while his tally of 57 interceptions is the second-most in the competition.

Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
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Nominated for the second campaign running, the Swedish striker has scored the second-most goals in the 2024/25 Premier League, netting 23 times, already bettering his tally from last season. Having also assisted six goals, he has directly contributed to 29 goal involvements, again the second-most in the competition, leading Newcastle’s charge towards a top-five finish. He also scored in the EFL Cup final as Newcastle beat Liverpool to end their 56-year wait for a major trophy. Excluding penalties, Isak’s 19 league goals are the joint-most of all players this season.

Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
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Mbeumo has enjoyed a remarkable campaign for Brentford, reaching 25 direct goal involvements, the third-most in the Premier League, thanks to 18 goals and seven assists. The Cameroonian is the first ever Brentford player to be nominated for an EA SPORTS Player of the Season award.

Declan Rice (Arsenal)
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Rice has reached double figures for combined goals and assists in a fantastic season for second-placed Arsenal, whom he inspired to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. He has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best box-to-box midfielders, winning 112 duels and making 52 tackles, as well as creating 56 chances, the second-most among Arsenal players, only three fewer than attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
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Salah has produced one of the all-time great individual Premier League seasons, producing five more goals and six more assists than any other player. He is just one goal or assist away from matching the all-time record for most goal involvements in a single campaign, a record jointly held by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole, both of whom set their records in 42-match seasons. He ranks joint-second for chances created this season, with 85, and is only two assists away from matching the most ever recorded in a Premier League campaign.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
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Van Dijk has this season become the first Dutchman to captain a team to the Premier League title. He has been pivotal to Liverpool, playing every match and contributing to a league-high 14 clean sheets, winning 162 duels, making 184 clearances, and making 2,814 passes, nearly 300 more than any other player. His form has been rewarded with a new contract at Anfield for the 33-year-old, who won the 2018/19 EA SPORTS Player of the Season award and is looking to become only the fifth player in history to win it on multiple occasions, after Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic and Kevin De Bruyne.

Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
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New Zealand striker Wood, 33, is enjoying the best season of his career, scoring 20 goals, the fourth-most in the league, from only 63 shots. His 31.75 per cent conversion rate makes him the most efficient finisher of any player this season with more than two goals. Wood has become only the second player to reach 20 goals for Nottingham Forest in a Premier League campaign, after Stan Collymore in 1994/95.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is expected to return to Napoli at the end of the season following a successful loan spell at Turkish giants Galatasaray.

The Nigerian international has enjoyed a brilliant run in Istanbul, firing on all cylinders with 33 goals and eight assists in eight appearances for the club.

Osimhen himself confirmed his happiness at the club, with his family adjusting to life easily in Turkey since his arrival.

Despite his clear affection for Galatasaray, a return to Napoli appears inevitable, as Nigerian football journalist Buchi Laba, who is close to Osimhen’s entourage, says the forward’s loan deal does not include a buy option, meaning the 26-year-old is contractually obliged to report back to Napoli at the end of the season.

Osimhen’s future remains a major talking point, especially with renewed interest from Serie A rivals Juventus.

Reports suggest the Old Lady are still keen on the Nigerian striker, having made a strong push to sign him in January.

While Napoli’s release clause is reportedly higher for Italian clubs, Juventus are said to be willing to pay a premium and offer increased wages to secure his services.

Nonetheless, Osimhen turned down the offer earlier in the year in favour of completing his season at Galatasaray, which eventually paid off for him with a rich run of form.

There is no official information on Osimhen’s next destination, but with his loan spell winding down and speculation heating up, all eyes will be on where Osimhen lands next.

Soccernet.ng