As another dramatic year in football draws to a close, one of the sport's most beloved chroniclers has taken a moment to reflect. The Guardian's acclaimed cartoonist, David Squires, has curated a personal selection of his favourite works from 2025, providing fans with a brilliantly satirical and visually arresting recap of the past twelve months.
A Year in Ink: Squires' Artistic Standouts
In a special feature published on 4 December 2025, Squires guided readers through a gallery of his chosen pieces, each one distilling a major footballing story into a single, potent image. His work, renowned for its sharp wit and detailed artistry, captures the essence of the beautiful game's triumphs, controversies, and sheer absurdities. The selection serves not just as a collection of cartoons, but as an alternative history of the footballing year, told through the unique lens of one of its most perceptive observers.
The cartoons span the full spectrum of the sport's ecosystem. From the dizzying heights of Premier League title races and European club competitions to the intense drama of international tournaments and the perpetual whirlwind of transfer sagas, no corner of the football world is safe from his insightful pen. Squires' commentary, both visual and textual, highlights the narratives that captivated fans and dominated back pages.
More Than Just a Laugh: The Power of Sports Satire
While the primary aim is to entertain, Squires' cartoons consistently achieve something deeper. They act as a form of cultural critique, holding a mirror up to the game's governing bodies, its occasionally out-of-touch executives, and its most colourful personalities. His illustrations often pinpoint the ironic gap between the sport's corporate gloss and the raw passion of its supporters. By selecting these specific works, Squires underscores the moments he felt best encapsulated the year's unique blend of glory and folly.
The process of selection itself is revealing. Choosing a handful of favourites from a year's worth of daily or weekly output forces a distillation of what mattered most. It indicates which stories had the longest-lasting impact or provided the richest satirical material. For readers, it's a chance to revisit the key events of 2025—the unexpected results, the managerial merry-go-round, the VAR controversies, and the emergence of new stars—all framed through Squires' distinctive and celebrated artistic style.
A Legacy of Line and Humour
David Squires has long been an essential voice in football journalism, despite his medium being imagery rather than pure reportage. His annual review has become a cherished tradition for fans who appreciate intelligent humour and artistic flair. This 2025 collection reinforces his position at the forefront of sports cartooning, demonstrating an unwavering ability to find the perfect, often hilarious, angle on even the most serious of footballing matters.
For enthusiasts of the game and art alike, this curated showcase is more than just a look back. It is a testament to the enduring power of satire in sports commentary and a celebration of the unique perspective that only a cartoonist of Squires' calibre can provide. As the final whistle blows on 2025, his work remains the perfect, witty companion to a year we will never forget.
