Football isn't just 22 players kicking a ball — it's 22 egos, 22 career plans, and occasionally 22 people who genuinely can't stand each other. Here are five feuds that defined the 2025-26 season, ranked from petty to genuinely concerning.
1. Mbappé vs Haaland: The Cold War
They've never played on the same team. They've barely shared a pitch. And yet the Mbappé-Haaland rivalry is the most intense cold war in football. It's fought through Ballon d'Or rankings, sponsorship deals, and the occasional passive-aggressive interview quote.
It escalated in April when Haaland was asked about Mbappé's Madrid move and replied: "I don't think about other players. I focus on winning trophies for my team." Sounds innocent — unless you know Haaland's media training is sharper than his left foot. That was a shot. Mbappé's camp fired back via a L'Équipe exclusive about how Madrid was "the only club that matters." The subtext: enjoy Manchester, Erling.
They'll meet in next season's Champions League. Book your tickets now.
2. The PSG Penalty Civil War — Mbappé, Neymar, and the Spot That Divided a Dressing Room
This feud started in 2022 and never truly died. Mbappé wanted penalties. Neymar wanted penalties. The compromise — they'd alternate — lasted about three games before both claimed they'd "forgotten" the agreement. Teammates were forced to pick sides. The WhatsApp group allegedly split into two factions.
When Mbappé left for Madrid in 2026, Neymar posted an Instagram story of himself taking a penalty in training with the caption "finally." Petty? Absolutely. Hilarious? Also yes.
3. Vinicius Jr. vs Maffeo: The Grudge That Won't Die
Pablo Maffeo of Mallorca has made a career out of being the guy who annoys Vinicius Jr. And to his credit, he's very good at it. In their three meetings this season, Maffeo committed 14 fouls, received two yellows, and somehow avoided a red every single time.
After the most recent clash, Vinicius posted a clip of Maffeo's challenges with three words: "this is football?" The RFEF investigated — not Maffeo's tackles, but Vinicius's Instagram post. You can't make this up. Maffeo responded by liking the investigation announcement. The pettiness is almost artistic at this point.
4. Onana vs Maguire: The Training Ground Screamer
Pre-season friendly, July 2025. André Onana concedes a soft goal and immediately turns to scream at Harry Maguire — full volume, veins visible, the kind of shouting that makes everyone else in the stadium uncomfortable. Maguire, to his credit, didn't back down. He walked straight up to Onana and told him to "worry about your own position."
Cameras caught the whole thing. Ten Hag called it "passion." Everyone else called it a massive red flag. They played together for six more months before Maguire was sold in January. The farewell Instagram post from Onana was three words: "Good luck brother." The translation: good riddance.
5. The Trent vs Carragher Twitter War
Okay, this one's not player vs player — it's player vs club legend, which is somehow worse. Jamie Carragher criticized Trent Alexander-Arnold's defending on Monday Night Football. Trent responded by posting his trophy cabinet on Instagram with the caption "everyone's a critic."
Carragher fired back on Twitter: "I've got a Champions League medal too, lad. Try defending." The exchange went viral. Former teammates took sides. Steven Gerrard called Carragher and told him to "go easy." Carragher did not go easy. He spent the next three weeks finding new ways to criticize Trent's positioning. The feud is ongoing. Sky Sports is reportedly delighted with the ratings.
Why Feuds Matter
Football's sanitized era — with its polished PR statements and "we go again" Instagram captions — is boring. Give us the drama. Feuds are the spice that makes the sport worth following beyond the 90 minutes. Long may they continue.