Best of 2023

By: Anthony Tazbaz

Image Credit: Emerson Vieira

This year, we were blessed with several iconic moments and a handful of scandals. From blockbuster transfers and Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia confirmed in the wake of the New Year to the European Court of Justice’s ruling over the formation of a breakaway Super League two weeks ago, 2023 will certainly be a year to remember! This series of highlights includes the top 10 moments from 2023 in chronological order.

Chasing Titles

Unlike previous years, the 2023 portion of the 2022-23 Bundesliga season was a nail-biter that included the prospect of Bayern failing to secure an 11th consecutive title. However, such an outcome did not materialize, particularly thanks to a series of squandered opportunities by Borussia Dortmund and a late Bayern winner scored by German wonderkid Jamal Musiala on the final matchday against FC Köln. Dortmund’s late comeback on the final matchday against FSV Mainz ultimately proved insufficient to win a first title since 2012. This season, Bayern’s dominance is currently being challenged by Bayer Leverkusen, who hold a four-point lead over the Bavarians.

In contrast to the 2022-23 Bundesliga season, Italians and Serie A viewers got to witness a fourth champion in as many seasons. This time, however, the Scudetto was crowned to a club who did not win the Serie A since 1989-90: SSC Napoli. Under Luciano Spaletti, I Partenopei rose to Italian supremacy, which included distinguished awards for star players Kim Min-Jae and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who won Serie A Defender of the Year and MVP, respectively. However, it does not seem as though Napoli will repeat as champions, who have since had two managers at the helm, have crashed out of Coppa Italia and currently sit in sixth place in the table.

In England, Manchester City reached the pinnacle of football after cruising to the Premier League title, defeating rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup Final and finally winning the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title. Spanish midfielder Rodri’s lone goal in the final — a 1-0 victory against Inter Milan — earned him the Man of the Match award and played a big role in Rodri becoming the highest valued Spaniard of all-time. However, Erling Haaland fell just short of winning the Ballon d’Or and, despite winning the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, City fell short of winning all available titles after failing to reach the EFL Cup Final in February and losing the FA Community Shield on penalties against Arsenal.

International Summer Football

The Croatian national team fell short of another title. This time, however, Croatia fell to Spain on penalties in the UEFA Nations League (UNL) final. Despite the epic final, the third edition of the Nations League final-four was highlighted by an incredible duo of semifinal matches, where Spain edged Italy 2-1 and Croatia defeated the Netherlands — the hosts of the 2023 UNL finals — 4-2 after extra-time. This shortcoming marks the third time in the last five years where Croatia finished among the top-three of a competition, but without a trophy. Once again, the ironman team came so close, yet so far away.

Less than a couple of months later, in Australia and New Zealand, the FIFA Women’s World Cup shattered viewership and attendance records. The Spanish won their first title, with Real Madrid winger Olga Carmona scoring the lone goal to defeat England. The World Cup also marked the final tournament for Canadian legend Christine Sinclair, who retired in December with 190 international goals to her name, a record for both men and women. However, theWomen’s World Cup was marred by a scandal after Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Federation, kissed Spanish captain Jenny Hermoso during the medal ceremony after the final. The act provoked a rebellion within the federation that led to the resignation of both the entire coaching staff and Rubiales, who later received a three-year ban from all football activities.

Groundbreaking Summer Signings

What started with a free transfer to Al-Nassr became a summer football pilgrimage to the desert. Cristiano Ronaldo paved the way for a significant number of players to join the Saudi Pro League. Joining CR7 at Al-Nassr included Senegalese star Sadio Mané, Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte and midfielders Otávio, Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozović. On the other side of Riyadh, the Saudi capital, Al-Hilal acquired the likes of Serbians Sergej Milinković-Savić and Aleksandar Mitrović, Malcom, Rúben Neves, Moroccan goalkeeper and World Cup hero Yassine Bounou and Brazilian star Neymar. However, Jeddah also welcomed its fair share of players at Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, as well as Dammam, where Al-Ettifaq acquired former Liverpool players Jordan Henderson and Giorginio Wijnaldum and Steven Gerrard as the coach. This may be the start of something major, where Europe could soon face some degree of legitimate competition!

While CR7 made a groundbreaking move, Messi also had to replicate such, this time around to Miami. Messi’s arrival — also via a free transfer — drove ticket sales and the number of Inter Miami season-ticket holders through the roof. It also led to a dramatic increase in ticket prices due to an anticipated overwhelming demand. His arrival, coupled with those of former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, also led to improvements in the club’s performances. Ranked dead-last in the league at the time of arrival, Messi’s successful debut in the League Cup opening match — scoring the game winning goal against Cruz Azul — set Miami off to a winning run that culminated into winning the 2023 Leagues Cup, a first title in club history. Later in the year, Messi also earned his earned a record eighth Ballon d’Or.

A Break From Club Football

International football also became a hot topic in the fall, during which 19 clubs qualified for the 2024 UEFA European Championship held in Germany. While perennial football nations, such as France, Italy, England, Portugal and Spain qualified for the tournament, Albania arguably had the Cinderella run who, under head coach Silvinho, qualified for the Euro after finishing first in a group that included Poland, Czechia and an underrated Moldovan side that also qualified for the tournament. Against this backdrop, Czechia finished second, with Poland finishing third and proceeding to the playoffs. The playoffs will also include a handful of aspiring tournament debutants, namely Luxembourg, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Estonia.

A Monumental Collapse

If there lies an award destined for the worst performing club in 2023, that will undoubtedly go to Chelsea. Although the everlasting funk started in August 2022, the club has yet to redeem itself. Despite spending lavishly on players during the January and summer transfer windows on players that include Enzo Fernandez, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea remain in the mid-table in 10th place. Last season, the club finished 12th place, only 10 points above relegation zone. Over the course of the calendar year — combining the second half of last season and this all matches played this season — Chelsea ranks in 15th place out of all 23 clubs that featured in Premier League matches, with 45 points and a -9 goal differential. This constitutes a massive fall from grace for a club that won the UEFA Champions League less than three years ago.

Scandals Galore

Finally, 2023 had its fair share of scandals involving players, coaches and clubs as a whole. First, Benjamin Mendy and Mason Greenwood returned to the pitch for the first time since their respective allegations of rape and sexual assault. Mendy, who spent considerable time in prison, signed with Ligue 1 club FC Lorient, who currently sit in 17th place/relegation zone. Greenwood, who was under investigation for sexually assaulting his partner, returned to the pitch and currently plays for Getafe CF on loan from Manchester United. Antony, another player under contract at Manchester United, was under investigation for assaulting his partner. Since then, he was suspended by the club, dropped from La Seleçao and is now back playing for the club.

In addition, former PSG manager Christophe Galtier came under fire for alleged racist remarks made in reference to players playing for OGC Nice, which he coached during the 2021-22 season. Despite now being cleared of the allegations, the leaked messages tarnished a reputation that took years to build and had culminated in Galtier becoming one of France’s most respected and sought after managers. The once-revered manager now manages Al-Duhail of the Qatar Stars League, Qatar’s first division.

At the club level, Juventus and Everton both suffered 10-point deductions for distinct reasons. Juventus falsified wages and player valuations, whereas Everton posted a series of consecutive yearly financial losses, resulting in a breach under England’s profit and sustainability rules. Sean Dyche’s Everton squad, who were highly vocal against the decision, now find themselves in a precarious predicament whereby a series of poor performances could trap them into a treacherous relegation battle.

However, Juventus also suffered disqualification from participating in the UEFA Europa Conference League this season. Had the deductions not occurred, Juventus would be playing in the UEFA Champions League and Everton would be in a mid-table position, which would represent a resurgence for a club who recently struggled to stay above the relegation zone over the past several seasons. Manchester City may be next to receive significant punishment for alleged financial malpractice. It may happen sometime this year…