The FIFA World Cup in Qatar may have been canceled in 2022, but 2023 went a long way to keeping up with last year in terms of stories and events.

Here are Al Jazeera’s 10 best football moments from the men’s game this calendar year:

1. Manchester City wins the Champions League

In June, Manchester City were finally crowned European champions They beat Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final.

It was the trophy that had eluded City and their esteemed manager Pep Guardiola during his time at the club.

For the Spaniard it was his third Champions League triumph after the two he won with Barcelona, ​​but the wait to lead City to continental glory became the elephant in the room.

The victory secured City the domestic treble and won the Premier League for the third time in a row. It also opened the door for City to compete in two more competitions – the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

2. Osimhen leads Napoli to Serie A glory

Victor Osimhen was named Serie A top scorer Napoli wins its first Serie A title since Diego Maradona played in the top Italian league.

The Nigerian striker scored 26 goals in an outstanding season This alarmed all top European clubs.

Napoli had to wait 33 years to win the Scudetta again, but thanks to Osimhen’s goals they did so at a canter and finished 16 points clear of Lazio.

However, Napoli’s story in 2023 has been anything but simple, as we’ll see shortly.

3. Messi wins eighth Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi was also on the move in 2023 as the former Barcelona star moved from Paris to Miami.

The Argentine’s time at Paris St. Germain didn’t quite go to plan, but a glamorous move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami should help add some sparkle to Major League Soccer in the United States.

These were not barren years for Messi. After Argentina’s World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022The striker was presented with his eighth Ballon d’Or.

He achieved his first victory in 2009, when his incredible club career began. However, the latest accolade must have been the sweetest accolade for Messi, who was rewarded for finally teaming up with some of the game’s greats and lifting the World Cup trophy.

4. Ronaldo moves to Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo ended his European love affair as he moved from Manchester to Saudi Arabia.

From Sporting Lisbon to United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Old Trafford, Ronaldo decided to take on the challenge of the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr.

The Portuguese was linked with a number of Europe’s top clubs when his departure from United became apparent following his tell-all TV interview with Piers Morgan in 2022.

The transfer came on the first day of the year and opened the door for a number of top names to follow suit. You can read everything about Ronaldo’s move and more in our Looking back at the 10 best transfers of 2023.

History in its creation. This is a commitment that will not only inspire our club to greater success, but will also inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls, to be the best versions of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano into your new home @AlNassrFC pic.twitter.com/oan7nu8NWC

— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) December 30, 2022

5. Napoli’s smile is upside down

After winning the Serie A title, coach Luciano Spalletti immediately left Napoli to take some time off from the game.

The 64-year-old, who said he was tired, was replaced by Rudi Garcia – but he lasted just 16 games before being sacked.

Walter Mazzarri took charge of the title defense, which was in tatters both on and off the field after rumors of unrest emerged – largely due to their prized asset Osimhen, who deleted a series of social media posts to express his frustration over to give the club some air.

A controversial post from the club itself, in which they apparently made fun of Osimhen’s missed penalty, didn’t help matters either.

Although it was quickly removed, the player’s agent was quick to do so expresses his disappointment He described this as disrespect for his client and even threatened legal action.

Perhaps Spalletti saw a storm brewing on the horizon.

6. Manchester City wins the Club World Cup

Having already won four times as much, Manchester City traveled to Saudi Arabia last week as clear favorites for the FIFA Club World Cup.

A 2-0 semi-final win over Japan’s Uwara Reds seemed like child’s play, but it was nothing compared to the final.

Guardiola’s side secured 2023 with one 4-0 win against Brazil’s Fluminense.

The result did not flatter City in any way, it was a complete mismatch.

The Premier League and FA Cup in England were followed by the Champions League and Super Cup in Europe. Now the Club World Cup.

It’s not just Manchester, England and Europe that are blue – now the world is too.

7. Europe’s elite faces a double threat to its dominance

Europe’s top clubs went into reverse gear in 2021 as fan outrage forced nine of the 12 founding clubs to withdraw from a planned European Super League.

It appeared to nullify any threat to European governing body UEFA’s dominance over club competitions on the continent.

The Supercup and the Champions League seemed certain.

But last year a threat came from outside the continent as so many of the world’s top stars followed Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League, which has established itself as a serious rival to the elite league that Europe’s top leagues had monopolized for so long.

Another threat to UEFA emerged towards the end of the year in December the European Court of Justice ruled that UEFA and FIFA were “abusing a dominant position” by banning clubs from joining a European Super League, which they said was unlawful.

8. The closest Premier League title race in history

Manchester City stormed to the treble in the first half of 2023, but the second half of the year looks to promise a much tighter race for the Premier League title.

City slipped out of the top four as Tottenham Hotspur moved into the Champions League qualification places.

Spurs enjoyed top spot after a good start – as did Newcastle United. Both are now fighting for the top four after the top three prevailed.

The most unlikely contender for City’s crown was Aston Villa. Under former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, the Villans have stormed the usual group of suspects.

Manchester United have escaped again as problems mount on and off the pitch, and it looks like they will be fighting for the tightest spots with Newcastle, Spurs and now West Ham – which doesn’t include half-time at the turn of the year. The table club Chelsea is facing another change.

However, Liverpool and Arsenal appear to have regained their homes and Guardiola’s World Cup winner will need to use all his experience from winning five trophies in 2023 if he is to join the frontrunners in the first half of 2024.

There’s never been a Premier League so wide open – it’s usually a two-horse race – and there are still plenty of twists and turns ahead.

9. The Manchester United sales saga

One story that generates excitement all year round is the sale of Manchester United. Would they do it or not? The Glaziers put the club up for sale in November 2022, but then there were rumors that they had removed the “For Sale” sign.

English businessman and United fan Jim Ratcliffe ended the year by purchasing a 25 percent stake in the club and taking control of football operations from the Glazers.

The main competitive offer from a Qatari businessman Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani was withdrawn, leaving the path open for Ratcliffe and his INEOS group.

Al Jazeera has investigated where and how the purchase will take place Take the bat from here.

10. European glory for the underdogs

Sevilla and West Ham stood up for the smaller clubs on the continental stage and won the two European Cups together.

Seville beat Jose Mourinho’s Roma on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Europa League final.

The Spanish club defeated both Manchester United and Juventus on their way to the final.

West Ham then won the Europa Conference League title a 2-1 win against Fiorentina in the final.

The Italians boasted the competition’s top scorer, Arthur Cabral, who scored seven goals, but the Brazilian could not stop the Hammers.

Mohamed Said Benrahma opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but Giacomo Bonaventua equalized before Jarrod Bowen equalized for the East Londoners in stoppage time.

It ended a 44-year wait for the Hammers to lift the title, while Declan Rice was named player of the tournament – sparking the biggest transfer competition of the summer window.