Photo: Bildbyrån
The football year 2024 has been an eventful one.
From the European Championship party in Germany, to boycotts of the Ballon d’Or and rape allegations against one of the world’s best.
TT has summarized some of the year’s biggest topics of discussion.
Lamine Yamal’s breakthrough
That Barcelona produces great talents is old. But when a 15-year-old Lamine Yamal made his debut, it didn’t take long before the football world understood that the Spaniard was something out of the ordinary.
Just over a year later, as a 16-year-old, he had his big breakthrough during the EC when he was one of the leading players in Spain’s gold team. The winger has now turned 17 and cemented his place in “Barça’s” starting eleven. In 16 games this season, Yamal has five goals and nine assists.
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The folk festival in the EC
An uncontroversial championship, in one and the same country in the middle of the summer, was something the football world had longed for. And the EC in Germany was a real success. The summer’s championship became a real folk festival on the country’s streets and in the stands.
Bayer Leverkusen’s senseless success
For several years, Bayern Munich has dominated German football, mainly challenged by Borussia Dortmund. But in the 2023–24 season, there was no question about which team was the best.
Bayer Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonsowon match after match. By the time the season ended in May, the team had clinched their first ever league title, having gone undefeated from start to finish.
The football world mourned “Svennis”
Sven-Göran Eriksson76, death was not only huge news in Sweden, but in the entire football world. In countries such as England, Italy and Portugal, the front pages of the newspapers were fronted by tributes to “Svennis”, and the majority of big clubs and international star players sent their condolences and thoughts to the Swedish coaching legend.
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Mbappé’s giant move and rape allegations in Stockholm
Finally got Kylian Mbappé through his move from French Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. But there has been no further success. The Frenchman has had a tough start at his new club, and the headlines have mostly been about something completely different from football.
After a visit to Stockholm in October, the 26-year-old was both accused and suspected of rape. But after two months, the preliminary investigation was dropped, after a woman no longer wanted to participate in the investigation.
Jürgen Klopp left Liverpool – and Arne Slot’s successful entry
After over eight years, the coach left Jurgen Klopp unexpectedly Liverpool, to the great sorrow of the supporters. The Dutchman Arne Castle was given the somewhat thankless, and difficult, task of taking over. But right from the start it clicked.
Liverpool lead the main round of the Champions League after six straight wins, and in the Premier League the team has gained a significant gap to the competition. The only loss of the season so far came on 14 September against Nottingham Forest with 0–1.
The Swedish stars and the Golden Ball
In 2024, Swedish football has reached new heights in terms of the number of superstars, and the national team’s offense has been promoted as one of the best in the world. Viktor Gyökeres has scored goals in his Sporting Lisbon, and ends 2024 on a somewhat incredible 62 goals.
At the same time continues Alexander Isak to score goals in the Premier League. 21 goals in the league last season despite injury concerns, and eleven so far this season. Dejan Kulusevski has in turn taken the next step in Tottenham during the autumn, where he has been one of the league’s best players.
Also Isak Hien has a great year behind him. The Swede is one of the key players in Atalanta, who lead Serie A and who have been one of the world’s best teams during the autumn. The arguments were many for each when it came to the discussion of the Ballon d’Or. In the end, it was awarded to Viktor Gyökeres, who received the award for the first time in his career.
Rodri snubbed Vinicius – who boycotted the gala
Many expected Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior would receive the “Ballon d’Or”, which is awarded to the world’s best soccer player during the year. Instead, Manchester City’s Spanish midfield shadow was given Rodri receive the award. Something that was not appreciated by either Vinicius himself or his club Real Madrid.
When they received the news, all representatives from the Spanish club chose to boycott the entire gala despite the fact that the club was awarded, among other things the coach was awarded Carlo Ancelotti the award for men’s coach of the year.
Caroline Seger’s end – in Rosengård’s huge success
One of Swedish football’s all-time greats hung up his boots after the 2024 season. But Caroline Victory at least got to finish in as dignified a way as possible.
During her final season, she got to see her Rosengård completely run over everything and everyone in the women’s mallsvenskan. The team won 25 out of 26 games in the league, and ended the season with an eleven-point margin to runner-up Häcken.
What a year it has been for all football lovers. Both sad and wonderful things have happened in 2024. Now we all hope for an equally eventful 2025.
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