GOODBYE LEO

 

Image Credit- Al Jazeera.

2022 was the best year for Lionel Messi fans. Afterall Messi lifted the trophy which he and his fans desired for long- The World Cup. It was like a fairytale come true. However, since then, there was a slight dip in his form which did not go well with the fans and authorities at PSG. The PSG fans booed him regularly for their poor performances. He also faced a penalty for his holidays with family which according to the club was unprofessional on his part. 

By the end of the season, it was certain that Messi will leave PSG. But which club will he go was the question. Some said Barcelona, some said Saudi Arabia, some said Inter Miami. At the end its Inter Miami where Messi will be playing next season.  Everyone felt that there will be a homecoming for Leo just like Ronaldo in 2021. However, the same did not happen. Messi is off to the US. It is believed that many of his former teammates will also join him on the other side of the Atlantic. Sergio Busquets has already signed for the Inter Miami. 

The Barcelona fans are sad and so are other football fans because with his move to America, we may never see him again in the European football and in the most prestigious club tournament- UEFA Champions League. In January it was Ronaldo. Now its Messi. The two absolute legends of the game are off to a different continent. The European nights will never be the same again. 

An era has indeed come to an end. Goodbye Leo. You will be missed. 

THE CURSE HAS FINALLY BROKEN

 

Image Credit- The Guardian.

In the last 11-12 years, Manchester City has emerged as one of the topmost football clubs in the world. Since the miracle of 2012 they have kept on winning league titles and domestic cups year after year. Baring a couple of seasons, they have won a trophy or two every single year. However, one trophy was missing from their trophy cabinet and that was the UEFA Champions League trophy. On multiple occasions, they came close to it, but failed by the barest of margins. 

However, this time things did change for the men in blue. They beat all odds and went on to complete the historic treble of League, FA Cup and the Champions League- A Feat. which only one English Club has achieved before them. It is important to remember that they not just defeated their rivals, they annihilated them. Be it Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Arsenal. Every club was brought down to their knees. Etihad indeed became a graveyard for the opponent teams. 

However, the most interesting part which remains of this season is that Manchester City were stopped from completing the unimaginable quadruple by a club who have been relegated from the Premier League. Which club it was? The answer lies in the 2023 January Blog List. 

Now let's talk about Pep. He is indeed one of the best football managers of the world. I need not speak about it much. His resume speaks it all. Furthermore, with this win, Pep Guardiola has now won his third UCL trophy as a manager, something which he was failing to win for the last 12 years. There were rumors that it's the African curse, which is stopping him from winning the European Championship, but with this win now it can be said that the curse has finally broken.  

ROMA HAS RISEN FROM ITS RUINS

 

Image Credit- The Independent 

In the summer of 2021, A.S. Roma appointed Jose Mourinho as their head coach. In the previous season Roma did manage to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League wherein they were thrashed by Manchester United. However, in the Serie A they finished at 7th spot which meant that they would have to play in the inaugural edition of the UEFA Conference League.

On the other hand, Jose Mourinho was sacked by Tottenham just before the Carabao Cup final and was looking for a new club to start with. It was nearly 4 years since he last won a silverware. As a result, criticism was mounting upon him. The critics said that this is the end of Jose Mourinho. He can no longer win trophies. His charm is over. 

However, this is when Jose Mourinho stood up has silenced his critics in style.  In the very first season he ended the 14 years old trophy drought of Roma as under him the club won the inaugural Conference League trophy. In the next season they marched up to the finals of the Europa League wherein they were defeated by tournament favorites Seville on a penalty shootout. Yes, their performance in the Serie A has not been up to par. But, in limited resources Mourinho has literally turned the club upside down. 

Under him Roma has risen from its ruins.