It's the second day of the new year with football activities already going on. The EPL resumed activities on New Year day with goals galore. This year promise to be one full of goals and surprise.
2018 was one wonderful year especially with the world cup. Let's take a look at the top 10 best moments in the footballing world in 2018.
These are moments that created much euphoria weeks after the event has occurred.
1 Phillipe Coutinho to Barcelona
January 6 2018 saw Coutinho join Barcelona in a £142 million deal. The deal was confirmed after series of talks with Liverpool. Liverpool had already rejected a £72 million bid back in August 2017. This prompted Coutinho to submit a transfer request on order to force the deal and leading to a strained relationship with the club. January came and he was sold.
2 Ronaldo overhead kick
The Uefa champions league quarter final draw saw 2017 finalists Juventus paired with reigning champions Real Madrid. The first leg at Allianz stadium on April 3 saw Ronaldo score an overhead kick considered by many as the best Uefa champions league goal of all time.
According to Marca, Ronaldo foot connected with the ball at a massive 2 metres 38 centimetres in the air. That is just 6 metres below the crossbar. The goal left Buffon dumbfounded, the world reacted, and Juventus fan have a standing ovation in appreciation of the goal.
Receiving a standing ovation from your opponents is not an easy feat considering you just condemned them to a 2-0 defeat with you scoring both goals. Real Madrid went on to win 3-0 and Ronaldo goals went on to be the talk of the town for months after.
3 Roma comeback against Barcelona
Barcelona showed the world that it is possible to overturn a 4-0 first leg defeat when they mailed PSG in the second leg to qualify. No-one believe the same could happen to them in the hands of underdogs As Roma.
Having won the first leg 4-1 at Nou Camp, many tip Barcelona to win the second leg with relative ease. They were shocked. The second leg on April 10 saw As Roma secure a comeback to win on aggregate.
Edin Dzeko got the first goal in the sixth minute from a Florenzi long pass. A host of missed chances from Shick and Dzeko saw the first half end 1-0. The second half saw Barcelona control the match and it was destined to be like that until Pique fouled Dzeko that saw Clement Turpin award a penalty that De Rossi converted in the 58th minute. As Roma fans can't believe what they are witnessing, they upped their voice, Roma players poured forward in search of the final goal. Kostas Manolas delivered the goal heading in a Kolarov corner in the 82nd minute. Everyone joined in the celebration, they held still and produced the most remarkable comeback in their history.
4 Manchester City PL win
Manchester city won the premier league title in May 2018 with 5 games to spare. They won it in style by shattering numerous records. They garnered theost points with 100 points, most goals with 106 goals scored, most wins with 32 wins. They were the best in all departments.
5 Arsene Wenger left Arsenal
Arsenal longest and most successful manager announced on April 20 that he is going to step down after 22 years in charge. Having overseen the invincible, numerous cup wins, and s possession style of football, Wenger was considered the best Arsenal coach ever and one that revolutionised English football. His announcement saw many notable figures in the sport world commending him for a job well done.
6 Real Madrid 3rd Uefa Champions League trophy on a row
May 26 saw Real Madrid win their 3rd Uefa Champions League on a row. Backed with Cristiano Ronaldo 15 goals and the super Modric, they brushed aside Liverpool to land their 13th UCL title with 3 on a row.
7 Cristiano Ronaldo joins Juventus
Fresh from winning the UCL trophy and a successful club campaign, Ronaldo dropped a cryptic message suggesting he might leave the club.
After days of transfer rumours, Juventus signed Cristiano Ronaldo on July 10 for €100 million. It was a shock transfer. Juventus followers increased, their stocks increased, and there was power shift. Ronaldo has since settle down in Italy.
8 France wins the world cup
The world cup came to an end on 15 July with France winning it.
France ended their 20 years wait for their second world cup trophy by defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final. A youthful side saw them win the prestigious trophy in Russia.
9 Modric wins the Ballon d'Or
December 2018 saw Luka Modric winning the Ballon d'Or. He beat off challenge from Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezman who came 2nd and 3rd respectively. A strong UCL showing was followed by a strong world cup showing where he captained underdogs Croatia to the world cup final was enough for him to win it.
10 Mourinho leaves Manchester united
A poor start to the season saw Mourinho side winning just 7 games out of 17 premier league games. This include fight with players, fallout with Board, fans, and media. This prompted Manchester united to sack him on 18 December. Although many expected his dismissal, they didn't expect it so early.
These are my top 10 football moments of 2018
Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.
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