OneFootball
Joel Sanderson-Murray·31 December 2020
OneFootball
Joel Sanderson-Murray·31 December 2020
And so weâve reached the end of this dystopian, traumatic year that was 2020.
Itâs been one hell of a year in football, so here are our highlights âŠ
The 2020/21 season kicks off
Just seven weeks after the end of the 2019/20 season, the 2020/21 Premier League campaign kicked off on 12 September with the rest of Europe following suit. Football found a place to exist amidst the global pandemic.
Luis Suårez leaves Barcelona for Atlético Madrid
After six years, four LaLiga titles and one Champions League â Luis SuĂĄrez left Barcelona and rocked up at their title rivals AtlĂ©tico Madrid.
Lionel Messi didnât take the news well, writing that SuĂĄrez didnât deserve to be âforced out like he had been doneâ in his farewell post to the Uruguayan on Instagram.
Manchester United score ⊠after the final whistle
2020 has been full of dystopian moments but how about this for size?
Manchester United beat Brighton 3-2 with a penalty scored ⊠after the final whistle. VAR awarded the spot-kick for a Neal Maupay handball from a United corner after referee Chris Kavanagh had blown the final whistle.
Thiago AlcĂąntara and Kai Havertz headline transfers
The 2020 summer transfer window closed well into autumn due to the changes in schedule.
Manchester United brought in Edinson Cavani and Arsenal signed Thomas Partey on deadline day but Liverpoolâs capture of Thiago AlcĂąntara and Chelseaâs âŹ85m deal for Bayer Leverkusenâs Kai Havertz were the headline deals of the window.
Josep Bartomeu resigns as Barcelona president
After coming under increasing pressure, Josep Bartomeu resigned as Barcelona president.
Although, the 57-year-old couldnât leave without dropping the bombshell that he had accepted an invitation from UEFA for the club to join a proposed European Super League.
Ajax make Eredivisie history
Ajax broke the Eredivisie record for largest recorded victory when they won 13-0 (THIRTEEN) against VVV-Venlo.
Diego Maradona dies aged 60
Considered by many to be the greatest footballer to play the game, Argentina legend Diego Maradona sadly passed away at the age of 60.
Hollywood comes to Wrexham
2020 threw up a number of âWTFâ stories but none of them top the one where Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over National League club Wrexham.
Erling Haaland wins Golden Boy
After scoring 39 goals in 37 games in 2020, Borussia Dortmundâs Erling Haaland won the European Golden Boy award.
We doubt it will be his last accolade âŠ
Fans allowed to return to stadiums in England
Under strict protocols, the UK Government allowed 2,000 fans to return to stadiums in England.
Arsenalâs 4-1 win over Rapid Wien in the Europa League on 3 December was the first top level game in England in nine months to be played in front of spectators.
Champions League drama and history
There was plenty of action on the final matchday of Champions League action. Manchester United were knocked out, Real Madrid squeaked through.
PSG qualified in a game played across two days after an alleged incident of racist abuse by an official and Youssoufa Moukoko became the youngest player in the tournamentâs history, before also going on to become the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history.
Lewandowski and Son win Fifa Awards
There was no Ballon dâOr in 2020 but Robert Lewandowski did get his hands on Fifaâs The Best Award for 2020, while the PuskĂĄs Award went to Tottenhamâs Son Heung-min.
Lionel Messi breaks PelĂ©âs record
After scoring against Real Valladolid, Lionel Messi broke PĂšleâs one-club goals record.
The 33-year-old reached the total of 644 goals with Barcelona.