The year 2024 was a remarkable one for football. Managers resigned and were sacked, legends retired from the sport, teams set records that seem destined to stand the test of time, and two new players claimed the biggest individual accolades, ending the duopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Join us on the final day of 2024, as we take a look at the top 10 events that defined the year. Let’s begin!
#10 Jurgen Klopp Leaves Liverpool
On 26th January 2024, Jurgen Klopp sent shockwaves around the world, announcing he would step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the 2023-24 season. The German said he was running out of energy and thought it was the perfect time to step aside.
Klopp delivered countless unforgettable memories and secured every major trophy for the Merseysiders since taking over in January 2015, becoming one of the most revered managers in football. Under his tutelage, Liverpool played 489 games, winning 304, drawing 100, and losing 85. He led the team to the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2019, the Premier League title in 2020, the FIFA Club World Cup in 2020, and the domestic cup double in 2022, among other honours.
#9 Kylian Mbappe Seals Dream Transfer to Real Madrid
After multiple failed attempts, the highly anticipated deal finally went through in July 2024. Running down his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Kylian Mbappe finally sealed his dream transfer to European giants Real Madrid, signing a five-year deal with the club. Since Los Blancos did not have to negotiate with PSG, they happily gave Mbappe a massive signing bonus. According to reports, the Frenchman will earn a whopping £83 million over the course of his stay from said bonus alone. He is also the club’s highest earner, taking home £12.4 million per season.
Mbappe has been in decent form for Los Blancos since the move. He has so far played 24 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists.
#8 Midfield Icons Toni Kroos and Andres Iniesta Retire
Football lost two of its greatest midfielders in 2024, with Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos and Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta calling time on their careers. Kroos’ retirement came as a bigger shock, as he left after enjoying one of his best-ever campaigns for Los Blancos. In his final season for the club, Kroos played in 48 games across competitions, scoring one goal and providing 10 assists. His heroics helped Real Madrid to the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the Supercopa de Espana. The six-time UEFA Champions League winner also played well in the 2024 European Championship, but Germany could not go past the quarter-finals.
Iniesta, on the other hand, hung up his boots in October 2024, three months after leaving Emirates Club. The Spaniard, who was the epitome of grace, ruled the world during his time with Barcelona. Iniesta won four UEFA Champions League trophies, nine La Liga titles, and six Copas del Rey, among other honours with the Catalan giants. The midfield maestro also won two European Championships and the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain.
#7 Manchester City Become First to Win 4 Consecutive Premier League Titles
Manchester City made history on Matchday 38 of the 2023-24 Premier League season. Led by an excellent brace from Phil Foden, the Cityzens claimed a 3-1 victory over West Ham United, clinching the Premier League title ahead of Arsenal. With the victory, Pep Guardiola’s side became the first team in history to win four Premier League titles on the bounce, surpassing Manchester United’s record of three consecutive championships.
Over the 38-game season, Manchester City won 28 games, drew seven, and lost three, amassing a total of 91 points and finishing two points ahead of Arsenal. They scored 96 goals and conceded 34. With 27 goals, Erling Haaland finished as the top scorer of the 2023-24 season, winning his second consecutive Golden Boot. Foden, meanwhile, emerged as the Premier League Player of the Season, with him recording 19 goals and eight assists in 35 outings.
#6 Real Madrid Claim Continental Glory for 15th Time
Just as Manchester City have monopolised the Premier League, Real Madrid have absolutely bossed the UEFA Champions League in the last decade, winning it a whopping six times since 2014. At the end of the 2023-24 season, Los Blancos claimed their 15th European crown, this time beating Borussia Dortmund in the final. Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr. found the back of the net as Real Madrid came away with a 2-0 victory.
Los Merengues were not the most dominant team in the UEFA Champions League last season. However, their temperament was once again exemplary. They beat the odds time and again, beating RB Leipzig (Last 16), Manchester City (Quarter-final), and Bayern Munich (Semi-final).
Their victory over Bayern was the perfect demonstration of their indomitable spirit, as they came from 1-0 down to claim a 2-1 win (4-3 on aggregate) thanks to two very late strikes from Joselu (88′, 90+1′).
#5 Bayer Leverkusen Become Invincibles in Bundesliga
Thanks to Bayern Munich’s might and lack of consistency from prominent contenders, the Bundesliga had become a one-horse race in the last decade. In the 2023-24 season, Bayer Leverkusen took it upon themselves to change the narrative and delivered an unforgettable Bundesliga campaign.
On 19th May 2024, Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen sealed a 2-1 win over Augsburg in the Bundesliga, becoming the first team in German football history to win the league title without losing a single match. It was also Leverkusen’s first title in history.
Of their 34 league matches, Leverkusen won 28 and drew six, scoring 89 goals and conceding just 24. They scored in 33 of 34 matches over the course of the season, with their only goalless game coming against Borussia Monchengladbach at home. Leverkusen finished the season with 90 points, wrapping up the championship in April itself.
#4 Argentina Defend Copa America Crown
Lionel Messi’s Argentina successfully defended their Copa America title in the summer of 2024, leaving a slew of quality opponents in their wake. La Albiceleste beat Canada (2-0), Chile (1-0), and Peru (2-0) in the group stage, Ecuador (5-3 on penalties) in the Quarter-finals, and finally Canada (2-0) in the semi-finals to set up a mouth-watering finale with Colombia. James Rodriguez and Co. did their best, but Lautaro Martinez’s extra-time strike sealed a 1-0 win for Argentina.
Messi was leagues below his best —1 goal and 1 assist in 5 games – due to an ankle injury he was carrying, but his teammates still managed to get the job done.
#3 Spain Win EURO 2024 for a Record 4th Time
Luis de la Fuente’s young and dynamic Spain exceeded expectations in the 2024 European Championship. Supported by the young but strong shoulders of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, La Roja marched to the EURO 2024 title, beating some of the best teams along the way.
They beat Croatia (3-0) and Italy (1-0) in Group B, hammered Georgia 4-1 in the Round of 16, claimed a narrow 2-1 win over hosts Germany in the Quarter-finals and repeated the scoreline against France in the semis. In the final, they faced EURO 2020 finalists England, and once again came away with a 2-1 victory, with Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal finding the back of the net.
Midfield maestro Rodri won the Player of the Tournament award thanks to his exemplary performances while Yamal — 1 goal and 4 assists in 7 games — deservedly took home the Young Player of the Tournament accolade.
#2 Vinicius Jr. Wins The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award
Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. came up short in the Ballon d’Or race. Fortunately, the Brazilian winger did not suffer another heartbreak at The Best FIFA Awards ceremony in December, as he deservedly won the Best Men’s Player award.
Vinicius Jr. enjoyed a remarkable 2023-24 season for Real Madrid. He was Los Blancos’ primary outlet for goals and assists, whereas his work rate was also nothing short of extraordinary. Throughout the campaign, the jet-heeled forward played 39 games in all competitions, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists. He scored in Real Madrid’s win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final and netted a superb hat-trick as Los Blancos beat Barcelona 4-1 in the Supercopa de Espana final.
#1 Rodri Wins the Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual accolade in football. In 2024, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri took home the coveted award, narrowly edging out Real Madrid star and outright favourite, Vinicius Jr. He became the first midfielder to win the award since Luka Modric in 2018.
Rodri enjoyed a jaw-dropping Premier League campaign for Manchester City in 2023-24. Over the course of the season, he played 34 matches, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists. The defensive midfielder was exceptional in EURO 2024, as well, bossing the midfield, scoring once in six games, and winning the Player of the Tournament award.
Unfortunately, Rodri suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear shortly after the 2024-25 season got underway. He is pushing hard to become available for Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the summer of 2025.
