Ajax's 125th anniversary season was meant to be a celebration of their storied history, but instead, it became a harrowing tale of missed opportunities and heartbreak. The campaign will forever be etched in the memories of fans and players alike as the year Ajax threw away a commanding nine-point lead with just five matches left, resulting in the most significant title collapse in recent European football history.

Heading into the final matchday, Ajax trailed PSV Eindhoven by a single point. They needed a win against FC Twente and a favor from Sparta Rotterdam, who hosted PSV. Ajax did their part, securing a 2-0 victory, but PSV clinched the title with a 3-1 win in Rotterdam. The scenes at the Johan Cruyff Arena were somber, with players and supporters alike struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the collapse.

Manager Francesco Farioli, visibly emotional, walked around the pitch, tears streaming down his face. Kian Fitz-Jim broke down, and Wout Weghorst lashed out at a camera. The atmosphere was funereal, a stark contrast to the jubilation elsewhere in the Netherlands as non-Ajax supporters reveled in their downfall.

Throughout the season, Ajax had benefited from small margins, securing late winners and eking out points when it seemed they might drop them. But at the pivotal moment, those margins turned against them. Farioli admitted, "Today I feel the tank is empty."

PSV's title win was unexpected, given their mid-season struggles. They had been eight points clear at Christmas but faltered, allowing Ajax to build a nine-point lead. After a 2-1 win at Willem II on April 13, Opta calculated Ajax's title chances at 99.3%. They needed just six points from their final five matches. However, a series of poor performances and bad luck saw their lead evaporate.

A 4-0 defeat to Utrecht, a 1-1 draw with Sparta Rotterdam, and a crushing 3-0 loss at home to NEC Nijmegen turned the tide. PSV capitalized, winning 3-2 at Feyenoord with a 99th-minute goal. Ajax's collapse was attributed to individual errors, systemic issues, and sheer misfortune.

In the end, Ajax's failure to secure the title places them among the greatest chokers in sports history. Teams like Manchester United, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, and Juventus have all let leads slip, but none did so with such a commanding advantage and so few games remaining.

Despite the heartbreak, there are positives to take. Farioli's achievement in guiding Ajax to the brink of the title, given the club's recent struggles, is remarkable. Securing Champions League football after a fifth-place finish last season is a testament to his ability. However, the manner of their collapse will haunt the club for years to come.

As the dust settles, Ajax will look to rebuild and learn from this painful experience. But for now, the 125th anniversary season will be remembered not for glory, but for one of the most dramatic collapses in football history.