Renowned football cartoonist David Squires has unveiled his personal selection of the finest illustrations he created throughout 2025. The artist, whose weekly work is a staple for readers of The Guardian, has curated a collection that captures the most memorable, humorous, and poignant moments from the world of football over the past year.
A Visual Chronicle of the Football Year
In his annual review, Squires presents a series of cartoons that serve as a unique historical record. His distinctive style blends sharp satire with affectionate observation, chronicling everything from Premier League drama and international tournaments to the broader cultural and political issues intersecting with the sport. Each chosen piece from 2025 acts as a time capsule, instantly evoking the stories that dominated back pages and social media feeds.
The selection process, as ever, offers a glimpse into the cartoonist's own perspective on which stories had the most lasting impact or provided the richest material for visual comedy and commentary. The collection was published on December 4th, 2025, providing a perfect, illustrated preamble to the year's end.
More Than Just a Laugh: The Art of Football Commentary
Squires's work transcends simple gag cartoons. His illustrations are a form of journalism, employing metaphor, caricature, and clever visual puns to dissect complex narratives. The chosen cartoons for 2025 likely tackle themes such as managerial merry-go-rounds, controversial refereeing decisions, staggering transfer fees, and the enduring passions of fans.
By picking his favourites, Squires effectively highlights the events he found most artistically stimulating or socially significant. The pieces often feature recognisable figures from the sport, rendered in his iconic line-work, placed in scenarios that amplify the absurdity or drama of real-life situations. This annual retrospective has become a cherished tradition for followers of both football and contemporary cartooning.
Why Squires's Cartoons Resonate
The enduring appeal of David Squires's weekly panel lies in its intelligent wit and deep understanding of football's place in society. He doesn't just draw about what happens on the pitch; he illustrates the sport's economic forces, its media circus, and its political entanglements. His 2025 picks will undoubtedly reflect this broad scope.
For fans, the cartoons offer a moment of shared recognition and cathartic laughter. For others, they provide an accessible and engaging entry point into stories that might otherwise seem overwhelming. This curated collection from 2025 condenses a year of footballing chaos into a series of powerful, single-frame narratives that are as insightful as they are entertaining.
Ultimately, David Squires's selection is more than a 'best of' list. It is a curated exhibition of visual sports journalism, reminding us that sometimes a drawing can capture the essence of a story more effectively than a thousand words. His work continues to be an indispensable part of the football media landscape, and this 2025 review solidifies his status as the sport's premier cartoon chronicler.
