One of the strongest impressions left by football in 2025 was the sheer number of internal conflicts—not clashes between rivals, but open disputes inside clubs: players vs teammates, coaches, or executives.
Before turning the page to 2026, here’s a rundown of the most high-profile flashpoints that shook the game.
1) Mohamed Salah vs Liverpool
After a draw with Leeds, Salah went public with grievances about trust and broken promises under Arne Slot. He was benched for a Champions League match vs Inter, then returned with an assist. His Anfield applause sparked farewell speculation.
2) Alexander Isak vs Newcastle United
Isak pushed hard for a move to Liverpool, refusing to play. The saga ended with a €145m transfer; Newcastle reinvested—everyone “won,” at least on paper.
3) Marc-André ter Stegen vs FC Barcelona
Post-surgery timelines clashed with registration plans. Internal sanctions followed; medical visits were reportedly refused. Joan García became No.1 under Hansi Flick—Ter Stegen’s future remains unclear.
4) Robert Lewandowski vs Poland NT Coach
Stripped of the captaincy by Michał Probierz, Lewandowski paused international duty. Poland lost to Finland; the coach resigned. Lewandowski later returned, reaffirming his value.
5) Alejandro Garnacho vs Rúben Amorim (Manchester United)
Benched in a Europa League final, Garnacho fired off provocative posts. Amorim drew a line; Garnacho moved to Chelsea and plays regularly.
6) Viktor Gyökeres vs Sporting CP
A claimed “gentleman’s agreement” collided with Arsenal’s valuation. After tension and a boycott, the deal went through—form dipped afterward.
7) Yoane Wissa vs Brentford
Summer boycott to force a move to Newcastle. After rejected bids, a €55m deal landed just before deadline day.
8) Adrien Rabiot vs Jonathan Rowe (Olympique Marseille)
A dressing-room argument turned physical after a Rennes loss. Both exited before window close—Rabiot to Milan, Rowe to Bologna.
9) Dominik Livaković vs Girona
On loan, Livaković refused Copa del Rey duty to secure January minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Coach Míchel confirmed the refusal.
10) Dani Rodríguez vs RCD Mallorca
A critical social post about coach Jagoba Arrasate led to punishment, loss of captaincy, and a January split—bitter for a club legend.
11) Davide Calabria vs Sérgio Conceição (AC Milan)
A heated on-pitch confrontation vs Parma preceded Calabria’s exit. He won the Coppa Italia with Bologna, then joined Panathinaikos.
12) Idrissa Gueye vs Michael Keane (Everton)
Rare Premier League sight: a teammate strike during a match. Gueye apologized publicly; peace followed within days.
13) Hakan Çalhanoğlu vs Lautaro Martínez (Inter)
Post–Club World Cup elimination comments sparked tension. An emergency meeting cooled things; both remained key figures.
14) Luis Pérez vs Juanmi Latasa (Real Valladolid)
A disastrous season boiled over on the bench; sanctions followed and both departed.
15) Lorenzo Lucca vs Teammates (Udinese)
Comic yet telling: Lucca refused to hand over a penalty, scored, then was subbed immediately. None of the protagonists remain.
The Takeaway
2025 exposed how fragile modern locker-room balance can be. Poor communication, pressure, and mismanaged expectations pushed disputes into the public eye—often ending in forced transfers or bitter splits that hurt stability, image, and results.
Harmony, leadership, and dialogue aren’t buzzwords; they’re prerequisites for long-term success.
