Game Changers and Record Breakers: Reliving football's finest moments in 2023

2023 was another busy year in world football, both on and off the pitch. From glorious victories to transfers that shocked the world, here are some highlights of the past year!

Manchester City and their historic 2022/23 season are impossible to ignore. The Citizens played some breathtaking football and won the coveted treble. The icing on the cake was City's first-ever Champions League triumph, courtesy of a Rodri goal in the final against Internazionale.

But if one man in particular stood out, it was Erling Haaland. The Norwegian played an impressive first season at the Etihad, scoring a whopping 52 goals in 53 games, and played a big part in City's successes.

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From Haaland to Bellingham, another player of impressive quality. Real Madrid broke the bank and paid 103 million euros (Transfermarkt) to Borussia Dortmund for the midfielder, who immediately impressed in the Spanish capital.

Although not a striker, Bellingham scored with his eyes closed in his first few months and seems determined to become the leader of a new Real Madrid generation following the departure of Karim Benzema.

In contrast, FC Barcelona, Real's biggest Spanish rivals, experienced some difficult years following financial problems and the departure of Lionel Messi. However, Barça have managed to bring in some big names thanks to financial creativity and can also count on young nuggets like Pedri and Gavi. This resulted in a first league title since the 2019.

Barça looks set to continue on the same footing in 2024 and also wants to play a big role in the Champions League, where it will face Napòli in the last 16.

The Italians themselves enjoyed a stellar year, with their first Serie A title since 1990 and the Diego Maradona era.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen were Napoli's biggest stars, helping Luciano Spalletti's team to a glorious victory in Serie A, which was celebrated in the craziest fashion in southern Italy.

Although he decided to stay and finish his contract at PSG, Kylian Mbappé once again made headlines around the world, with rumours about the French star's future filling endless pages.

Real Madrid are still being linked with Mbappé, who is free to leave from the end of the 2023/24 season. Will he make the long-awaited switch to the Spanish capital?

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi made the move to Inter Miami, venturing outside Europe for the first time in his career. In the MLS, 'The Flea' continued to show his class and helped David Beckham's team to its first ever trophy.

After winning the 2022 World Cup, the Argentine wrote yet another page in the history books by winning his eight Ballon d'Or, three more than his nearest rival.

And that nearest rival is, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star was without a club after a difficult second spell at Manchester United, but was welcomed with open arms - and plenty of money - at Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr.

In doing so, Ronaldo set a trend, with many football stars ending up in the Middle East in 2023. Neymar, Benzema, Kanté ... Where do we start? And where does it end?

However, Harry Kane decided to continue his career with German giants Bayern Munich for a fee of €95 million (Transfermarkt). At the Allianz Arena, the England captain simply continued doing what he does best: scoring goals.

Kane hopes to finally win some trophies in his career, a feat he was never able to achieve at Tottenham, despite the quality in Spurs' team. Will 2024 be his year?

Bayern themselves experienced a 2022/23 season with ups and downs, resulting in an exciting season that was decided in the Bundesliga by a late goal from Jamal Musiala and left Borussia Dortmund empty-handed.

In the Europa League, Sevilla reaffirmed their expert status. The southern Spaniards beat José Mourinho's AS Roma to win their seventh title, while handing Special One his first loss in a European final.

Belgium experienced perhaps the craziest season finale ever in the history of football, with Antwerp, Genk and Union SG battling for the trophy on the final day.

In the closing minutes, the three teams were virtual champions at one stage, but it was Antwerp that claimed the title after a screamer from Toby Alderweireld in the 94th minute.

In South America, Brazil's Fluminense and Argentina's Boca Juniors put on quite a battle in the Copa Libertadores final, with the former clinching the win after a dramatic late John Kennedy goal. One for the history books.