Luke Littler showed he has wheels, women’s sport excelled, Ange Postecoglou broke out in box sets and Ben Stokes reignited an old feud with Ian “Beefy” Botham.
In 2025, sports stories were shaped as much by what was said as by what was done – here are some of the best quotes of the year.
“I’m 35, he’s 17. Every 17 years a star is born.”
In January, seventeen-year-old Luke Littler wrote his name in sporting history when he defeated Michael van Gerwen in the final of the World Darts Championship.
– The Luke Littler Effect: How ‘The Nuke’ Changed Darts the Way Tiger Woods Changed Golf
“There have to be seismic changes happening.”
Wales has endured a tough 2025. After a tumultuous 2024 for Welsh rugby, there was hope that things could turn around in the past year, but after being sentenced to a 68-14 defeat by England and handing them the wooden spoon of the Six Nations, former Wales star Alun Wyn Jones was harsh but fair in his assessment of the country’s rugby fortunes.
“I won’t sleep very well tonight, but it’s okay.”
In an all-time classic French Open final, three match points separated the glory of Jannik Sinner and Roland Garros. Come in, Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard prevailed and won the adrenaline-filled epic five-set battle that lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes before he got his hands on the trophy.
“All the best TV series, season three is better than season two.”
Ange Postecoglou promised he would deliver a trophy in his second season at Spurs, and he has. After leading Tottenham to the Europa League trophy, he declared there was more to come. Later, however, he correctly predicted a plot twist.
“I should have thought about it a little longer, because sometimes they kill the main character.”
Sixteen days after the Europa League trophy returned from Bilbao to North London, Spurs sacked Postecoglou.
“I just asked Emma if she wanted to play doubles with me. It took a while for her to respond.”
For the first time ever, the US Open featured 16-team mixed doubles and dynamic duos from the top men’s and women’s tours. Emma Raducanu seemed to remain calm when Alcaraz asked him to be his partner.
“I’m sorry your team always came last. Time to say goodbye.’
After 26 years in the spotlight, Gary Lineker signed off as host of Match of the Day. He announced in November 2024 that he would be leaving the football show and the end of the 2024–25 season, after apologizing for sharing an anti-Semitic post on social media.
– Gary Lineker leaves BBC early, won’t present 2026 World Cup response
“The stadium was quiet. Quiet. We never got any energy back from the stands.”
England boss Thomas Tuchel blasted the lack of atmosphere at Wembley during their 3-0 friendly win over Wales.
– Tuchel blasts ‘silent’ Wembley crowd in England win over Wales
“Are we loud enough for you?”
Fast forward to the next match and the England away fans responded in Latvia.
– England boss Thomas Tuchel is taking fans’ taunts in good humour
“Then we would do Mario Kart. Then we have to install parts on the car so we can throw bananas around.”
Max Verstappen came up with a plan to make the Monaco Grand Prix more interesting.
“I don’t miss a penalty twice.”
Lioness Chloe Kelly had a penalty saved in the semi-final of Euro 2025. She pushed to secure European glory for the second time in a row and scored the winning penalty in the final against Spain.
“Get innnn, first time and 0 minors.”
Having failed his theory test several times, Luke ‘the Nuke’ was a bull’s-eye on his driving test and passed the first time. After winning over £1.5 million in prize money in his short career so far, Littler reminded the world that he is in fact still only 17 years old, despite his incredible success.
– Luke Littler hits the mark during his driving test after a costly traffic jam
“Really, the worst I felt was for the people who came to watch that day.”
Amanda Anisimova reflected on her crushing 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final.
“It’s actually crazy, I’ve never played so well in a match.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan hit two 147 breaks in the same match at the Saudi Arabia Masters.
“There’s no way you’re going to go into a race and get the keys to a Honda Civic and say, ‘I want you to drive it like a Ferrari’. That’s not going to happen.”
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was disappointed with the club’s transfer activities. Cracks began to appear later in the season when Celtic were knocked out of the Champions League by Kazakhstani minnows Kairat Almaty.
– Rodgers resigns as Celtic boss after poor start to season
“What has failed recently is not due to our structure or model, but to one individual’s desire for self-preservation at the expense of others.”
Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond gave a less than fond farewell to Rodgers after he resigned.
“Guys, shut up!”
Rory McIlroy responded in kind to rowdy American hecklers at the Ryder Cup – although their noise didn’t get the best of Team Europe as they claimed victory.
– Ryder Cup 2025: Best moments from the final round
“We hope we’ve inspired young girls to go pick up a ball – any ball, any sport – and do whatever they want in the world, because if you dream big enough, you can get it.”
England Rugby Union captain Zoe Aldcroft hoped the Red Roses’ win at the Women’s World Cup would have inspired the next generation of girls.
“There are quite a few factors that go into why we can’t prepare the way the former players have prepared in the past.”
England captain Ben Stokes had Sir Ian Botham and Michael Vaughan in his sights before the Ashes.
“It’s like Tiger Woods going to The Masters and saying he’s prepared by playing miniature golf and getting a few shots through the windmill.”
Vaughan doubled down after the first Test packing.
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