Internet Desk: The year 2017 is coming to an end and it has been a year to remember in football for many reasons. Here goes the top 5 reasons why the year would be remembered in the history of the game.
1. Ronaldo the genius
Cristiano Ronaldo backed up his silverware-laden 2016 by defending his Champions League, Club World Cup and Ballon d’Or titles in 2017, and added a La Liga crown to the mix as well. He also equalled Lionel Messi’s record five Ballon D’or awards. Probably the best season of his life.
2. Real “unstoppable” Madrid
Real Madrid became the first club in Champions League history to win back-to-back titles in 2017, and they added La Liga, the UEFA Super Cup, thr Spanish Super Cup and the Club World Cup for good measure.
3. Big guns missing the tickets to Russia 2018
In a World Cup qualifying cycle that could only charitably be described as disappointing, the U.S., Italy, the Netherlands and Chile all missed out on next summer’s tournament.
4. Neymar breaking Transfer records
Neymar, meanwhile, became the most expensive footballer of all time after joining Paris Saint-Germain in a €222 million deal, and has promptly set fire to Ligue 1.
5. A day to forget for Barcelona fans
Barcelona’s match in the Spanish league against Las Palmas on October 1‚ a 3-0 win‚ was played behind closed doors at the Camp Nou after violent clashes in the city during the unofficial Catalan independence referendum vote.