The year 2024 was filled with unforgettable football moments that thrilled fans worldwide. From stunning goals and historic wins to emotional stories and surprising twists, the game brought excitement at every turn. As 2024 comes to a close, here are the top 10 football moments of 2024 that made the year unforgettable.
10. Gareth Southgate era ends at England
The year marked the end of Gareth Southgate’s reign as England manager. Southgate stepped down just two days after England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the 2024 European Championship final in Berlin. The loss marked the Three Lions’ second consecutive Euros final heartbreak, following their penalty shootout defeat to Italy at Wembley three years earlier. Southgate, 53, departs after eight years and 102 matches at the helm, with his contract nearing its end later this year.
Southgate had taken over following England’s humiliating last-16 exit against Iceland at Euro 2016. During his tenure, he guided the team to unprecedented success with two European Championship finals, a World Cup semi-final, and a quarter-final.
9. Jurgen Klopp leaves Liverpool
Jürgen Klopp stepped down as Liverpool manager at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, notifying the club’s ownership of his decision. Appointed on October 8, 2015, Jürgen Klopp transformed Liverpool into a dominant force domestically and internationally. During his tenure, the Reds claimed the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FA Community Shield.
Known for his charismatic personality and “heavy metal” football philosophy, Klopp’s legacy has undoubtedly left an everlasting mark on Anfield, signaling the end of an extraordinary eight-and-a-half-year chapter filled with unforgettable memories for fans and players alike.
8. Rodri wins ballon d’or
Manchester City midfielder Rodri claimed the prestigious Ballon d’Or after an exceptional season, securing major titles with both club and country. The 28-year-old played a key role in City’s fourth consecutive Premier League triumph in May, as Pep Guardiola’s side surged past Arsenal with a remarkable nine-game winning streak to seal the title. Rodri became the first Premier League player to win the award since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 during his initial spell at Manchester United.
Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, who finished as Rodri’s closest rival for the award, declined to attend the Paris ceremony after learning he would not win. Jude Bellingham secured third place in the voting.
7. Man City win fourth consecutive league title
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City made history by becoming the first team in English top-flight football to win four consecutive league titles, securing the milestone with a dominant victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. This marked City’s sixth title in seven seasons and set a new benchmark in the league’s 136-year history.
Previously, City had equaled the record of three consecutive titles, a feat achieved by Huddersfield Town (1924-1926), Arsenal (1933-1935), Liverpool (1982-1984), and Manchester United twice (1999-2001, 2007-2009). By clinching their fourth successive crown, City have surpassed all their predecessors. Notably, in the 2017-18 season, they also became the first team to reach 100 points in a league campaign, a record that remains unbeaten.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 900 career goals
Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name further into the history books by becoming the first player to score 900 career goals. The Portuguese superstar achieved this incredible feat during a match for Portugal against Croatia in the Nations League. Ronaldo’s goal-scoring journey began in 2002 with Sporting Lisbon, where he netted five goals before earning a move to Manchester United. At United, he elevated his game to new heights, scoring 145 goals across two stints. His time at Real Madrid, however, saw him reach his peak, as he racked up an astonishing 450 goals in just 438 appearances, cementing his place as the club’s all-time leading scorer.
After a prolific spell in Madrid, Ronaldo moved to Juventus, where he added another 101 goals to his tally, showcasing his adaptability across different leagues. He then joined Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he continues to defy age and expectations, scoring 68 goals to date. On the international stage, Ronaldo has been equally sensational. Representing Portugal, he has netted 131 goals, making him the highest scorer in the history of international football.
5. Real Madrid deliver 15th Champions League title
Real Madrid achieved a “10 out of 10” season after winning the Champions League for a record-extending 15th time with a 2-0 victory Saturday against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. Real, who also won the La Liga title in Spain, sealed their win against Dortmund with two goals late in the second half from Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior.
The success was Ancelotti’s fifth Champions League title as a manager — another record — and Real’s Toni Kroos, Carvajal, Luka Modric, and Nacho also joined club legend Paco Gento on six Champions League wins as players. While Madrid emerged as European champions again, Dortmund were unlucky not to pull off a huge upset in London, the scene of their 2013 final defeat against Bayern Munich.
4. Real Madrid get Kylian Mbappe finally
After years of anticipation, intense speculation, and near misses, Real Madrid has at last completed the signing of Kylian Mbappé. The 25-year-old French forward, celebrated as one of the brightest talents of his generation, leaves Paris Saint-Germain to join the Spanish giants in what is being described as one of the most significant and high-profile transfers in football history.
The move marks the culmination of a long-standing pursuit by Real Madrid, who have never hidden their admiration for Mbappé. For years, the Santiago Bernabéu faithful have dreamed of seeing the French star don the iconic white jersey, and now that dream has become reality.
3. Lionel Messi leads Argentina to Copa America success
Argentina secured their 16th Copa América title, with Lionel Messi potentially marking the end of his international career in storybook fashion. Lautaro Martínez, the tournament’s top scorer, capitalized on a perfectly weighted pass from Giovani Lo Celso, lifting the ball over Colombia’s advancing goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute to ignite jubilant celebrations among the Argentine faithful.
Martínez’s decisive strike, a composed right-footed finish inside the penalty area, slipped past the outstretched arms of a sliding Vargas, earning him his 29th international goal and fifth of the tournament. This latest Copa triumph, building on Argentina’s victories at the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa América, offers a fitting finale to an extraordinary international chapter for Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who may now bid farewell to the global stage.
2. Spain wins Euros as Lamine Yamal shines
Spain won the European Championship in impressive style, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal shining as the star of the tournament. In the final, Spain defeated England narrowly at Wembley, and Yamal played a key role.
Yamal was awarded MVP in Spain’s semifinal against France for his remarkable performance and game-changing impact. At just 16 years and 362 days old, he set a record that is likely to stand for many years. Not only did the teenager become the youngest player to win the Euros, but he was also named the Young Player of the Tournament just a day after his 17th birthday, surpassing his teammate Pedri, who was 18 years and 215 days old when the 2020 Euros began.
1. Bayer Leverkusen becomes invincibles
Bayer Leverkusen made history on May 18, Saturday, by becoming the first team to win the Bundesliga title while going unbeaten throughout the season. The champions secured their historic achievement with a 2-1 victory over Augsburg on the final matchday, marking the first time in Bundesliga history that a team has completed an entire season without suffering a loss.
Xabi Alonso’s treble-chasing side extended their remarkable European unbeaten streak to 51 matches last season, only losing to Atalanta in the final of the Europa League.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
