10 major football highlights in 2017

2017 has been a whirlwind year for both football and its fans alike. We've been privileged to witness some truly spectacular results, transfers, and even goals. In the process, we've witnessed records tumble, be rewritten and the rulebook redefined.

Most leagues have closed their doors for the winter break midway through the season, now would be an appropriate time to review some of the headline events of the game that have happened in the last 12 months.

It must also be stated that these highlights are placed in no particular order or rank; these have been chosen based mostly on their significance and impact on the beautiful game we know and love.

#1 Real Madrid Winning La Duodécima

Los Merengues celebrating their 12th UCL title and 2nd in a row

One could argue that no team has enjoyed a more prosperous year than Real Madrid. Whilst Real have broken more than one record in the process of picking up 5 trophies over the past year, their most notable achievement (arguably) would have to be their 12th Champions League crown.

Their unmatched success in Europe's elite competition puts them five ahead of second-placed AC Milan (with seven titles) in the list of all-time winners. Enroute to La Duodécima, Real had to overcome the likes of Napoli, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich. In the final against Juventus, Madrid produced a masterclass to secure the trophy by winning 4-1 with Cristiano Ronaldo securing a brace.

The win made them the first team to successfully defend their title in the Champions League era and the first to do it since Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan side managed it back in 1989 and1990.

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#2 Neymar's world record transfer to PSG

Neymar at his official unveiling PSG alongside club chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi

Regardless of who you play for, or who you support, or whether you're even a football fan or not, I am fairly confident that the news of this event would've certainly elicited a reaction from you. This was a proper disturbance in the force, and it paved the way for the inflated transfer fees, now prevalent in pretty much every aspect of the transfer market.

Having won ten titles over four successful seasons with FC Barcelona, Neymar took the leap to transfer to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record fee of €222 million. Following his move to Paris, Neymar has taken to the responsibility like a fish to water, scoring 17 goals and assisting a further 12 in 20 games in all competitions.

Whilst his transfer fee did rewrite history, only time will tell if he will do the same in Paris Saint-Germain.

#3 Fortune favors the defence

Ederson has impressed with fine performances for City this season

While we're on the subject of transfers, in a year which has seen spiraling transfer fees, it's perhaps no surprise that we've seen players stationed in the defensive half go for prices previously unheard of in world football. Since it's hard to choose between the two, it's probably best to include both, starting with Ederson Moraes of Manchester City.

The 24-year Brazilian goalkeeper switched from Benfica to Manchester City in the summer of 2017 for a world record fee of £34.7m, which eclipsed the 16-year record of £32.6m for Gianluigi Buffon upon his transfer from Parma to Juventus in 2001.

In addition to that, Liverpool recently announced the signing of Dutch center back Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton for a world record fee of £75m.

Numbers like these were nonexistent only a few years ago but it seems as though they're here to stay. Whether Ederson or Van Dijk will manage to justify their price tags remains to be seen but the future is bright given that they are both undoubtedly talented and playing for two elite clubs.

#4 Harry Kane continues to excel

Harry Kane with his second successive Golden Boot

2017 has been nothing short of stellar for a 24-year English striker who goes by the name of Harry Kane. To outscore the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, and Edinson Cavani whilst playing fewer games than all of them is no small feat indeed. Kane has plundered 56 goals for club and country in 52 games. Staggering numbers for a truly staggering player.

In the 2016-17 PL season, Kane clinched a second successive Golden Boot by scoring 29 goals as Tottenham finished runners-up to the champions, Chelsea.

Kane has continued his red-hot scoring streak this season with 26 goals and a further three assists in 26 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham. With the goals coming thick and fast for Kane, you wouldn't count him out for having a great 2018 as well.

#5 Cristiano Ronaldo on fire

Ronaldo presenting his fifth Ballon d'Or to the Bernabéu crowd.

Surprise, surprise, CR7 features on this list. Well, in truth, it's hardly a surprise. 2017 has been one to remember for Cristiano. The Real Madrid striker won five trophies with Los Blancos this year and has played a crucial part in securing them, finishing the 2016-17 season with 42 goals as Madrid's top scorer.

His triumphs on the pitch haven't gone unrecognized as Ronaldo secured the Best FIFA Men's Player Award as well as a record-equalling fifth Ballon d'Or tying him with Lionel Messi for the most wins of the award. In the 2017-18 season, Ronaldo has looked far from his deadly best but has still managed to net 16 goals and provide 3 assists in 22 games for Madrid.

Whilst his current form hasn't quelled the doubters entirely, to write him off completely would be utter folly. Watch this space.

#6 The Comeback Kings

It was a night to remember for Messi and co against PSG at the Nou Camp.

It would seem fair to say that Barcelona has endured a half-baked 2017. Despite not enjoying the best of seasons as they finished the 2016-17 campaign with a Copa Del Rey triumph whilst their rivals Real Madrid secured a historic double, Barca did manage to enthrall with several notable performances. Two of them stand out in particular.

During the round of 16 clash against PSG in last season's UEFA Champions League, Barca lost out 4-0 in the first leg in Paris.

With the odds seemingly stacked against them to progress, Barca threw caution to the wind and ran out 6-1 winners on the night pulling off a miraculous 6-5 aggregate victory to go through. Without a doubt, this match will go down in Barca's history as one for the ages.

The second match came on the 23rd of April at the Bernabéu during a crucial El Clasico clash. Madrid took the lead through Casemiro in the 28th minute. Three more goals and a red card later, Barca found themselves staring at a draw, which would've left them three points behind Madrid and almost certainly out of the title race.

As the match entered in injury time, with seconds to spare, in a moment of sheer brilliance, Barcelona's legendary number 10, Lionel Messi popped up to score the winner in the 92nd minute to clinch the game 3-2! La Liga was back on!

Barca's win condemned Madrid to their first-ever league loss in added time at the Bernabéu in the club's history, which neatly coincided with Lionel Messi's 500th goal for FC Barcelona. The stuff of legends!

#7 Manchester City's #SharkTeam

The Citizens have been sensational this season

Following a £300m shopping spree in the summer, many people expected City to make a good impression this season, but few could have anticipated what was to come.

Five months into the season and already talk has begun to surface hailing this City side as one of the greatest PL teams of all time, and with good reason.

Pep Guardiola's side has been in astounding form. In the 20 matches played so far, City has won 19, 18 of them in a row! They sit atop the table with 58 points, 15 clear of second-placed Manchester United.

They've scored 61 goals, the highest in all of Europe's top five leagues, whilst also remaining watertight at the back conceding only 12 goals in the PL and keeping 10 clean sheets. They finished at the top of their Champions League group, and have lost only once all season long.

The numbers are scarcely believable and If Manchester City continues to play as they have been doing, 2018 will one to remember for them indeed.

#8 The rise of Kylian Mbappé

2017 has seen the meteoric rise of Mbappé

As far as gifted youngsters go, few can rival this young lad. Kylian Mbappé announced himself in style this year, scoring a phenomenal 24 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions for AS Monaco including six in the Champions League and assisting a further nine, as Monaco secured their first Ligue 1 crown in 17 years.

Monaco also plundered 107 goals in Ligue 1 with Mbappe playing no small part. His performances caused such a stir, that inevitably the big boys came calling for his services in the summer; most notably Real Madrid.

However, in the end, the move didn't materialize and Mbappe ended up being loaned out to Paris Saint-Germain with a permanent move set to be completed next summer for a rumored €180 million.

At PSG, he has continued his fine form contributing to 12 goals and 11 assists in 19 appearances. Given his meteoric rise in less than a year, that seemingly large price tag might just turn out to be small change indeed.

#9 Retirements that left us feeling nostalgic

Xabi Alonso and Philipp Lahm were two of the many legends who called it quits in 2017. (via Getty Images)

2017 saw many big names calling it a day and hanging up their boots for good. The list of players who announced their permanent retirement from the beautiful game include Xabi Alonso, Phillip Lahm, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard, Xavi, Dirk Kuyt, Francesco Totti, Didier Drogba and Gigi Buffon (international retirement).

Each one of them legends in their own right, each leaving an indelible mark on the game they truly loved. Whilst each one may own up to moments of regret over their playing days, I am fairly confident that every one of them can look back at their careers with the utmost fondness and gratitude.

Truly our generation was blessed to witness these greats at the peak of their powers. So to these legends of the game, all we can say is "Thank you, gentlemen, it's been a pleasure"

#10 Failed World Cup Campaigns

Buffon tearfully retired from international football following Italy's exit from the World Cup (via Getty)

With the FIFA World Cup set to be played next year in Russia, 2017 was the final opportunity to secure a playing spot in football's elite competition. Sad to say, more than a few countries didn't make the cut and even more unfortunate is the fact the several of the seasoned teams found themselves excluded from next summer's extravaganza.

Chile, Italy, Wales, Holland and the USA are some of the notable absentees. In the aftermath of the results, Gianluigi Buffon and Arjen Robben both announced their retirements from international football.

There's no denying that a World Cup ought to play host to the cream of the footballing crop, and a WC without Buffon, Gareth Bale, Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, Riyadh Mahrez and several others will be slightly less entertaining.