THE BEAUTY OF CUP FOOTBALL

 

Image Credit- Hindustan Times 

Over the past 11 years, FC Bayern Munich have been winning the league title on a trot. On a couple of occasions, they did face some resistance, but at the end of the day the Bundesliga Trophy remained in Bavaria. However, the same has not been the case in the knockout cup tournaments. In knock-out cup tournaments they have faced defeats, sometimes even shocking ones.

The latest came a few days ago wherein a Third-Tier team FC Saarbrücken knocked the German Giants out of the DFB- Pokal. It is pertinent to note that the German Heavyweights FC Bayern Munich dominated the game, but the last-minute winner changed the fate of the game. 

The Favorites have been knocked out. The Minnows Move Forward. Furthermore, this has not been the tale only in Germany, but also in other European Countries. Newcastle United knocked out both the Manchester Heavyweights from the Carabao Cup. Apart from that we also seen similar upsets in Copa Del Rey as well wherein Real Madrid too have faced innumerable shocking defeats. No wonder why we call Football the Best Game on this Planet. 

 

MESSI WINS IT AGAIN

 

Image Credit- CNN.

On October 30, 2023, Lionel Messi was successful in winning his 8th Ballon D'Or trophy. He was awarded the same for his performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Though he had a decent run in Ligue 1 as well, but it was the World Cup glory which ensured that the little boy from Rosario wins the most prestigious honor of this planet Earth. 

Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe were strong contenders for the honor. Haaland had an exceptional run with Manchester City as he helped the men in blue win their first European Title along with a historic treble. Something which they failed to achieve in the past few years. Furthermore, he also scored innumerable goals. He was a literally a goal machine. In case of Mbappe he too had a great World Cup. Though he failed to defend the World Cup title, but he was literally on fire. 

However, despite of the competition from the young guns of the game, Lionel Messi was successful in winning the record 8th Ballon D'Or trophy. It may even be his last Ballon D'Or honor, but for the time being it's all good. The Man who has literally completed football. The Man who became bigger than the game.