Every year we witness some special and unforgettable football moments. The moments that make headlines, and mark their way into the history books. There are so many moments and memories on the field and off the field that cannot be erased.
As we look back at the 2019 season, MyTeam11 has picked the five moments from the 2019 football season that were the most memorable, good or bad.
Here are the top five moments in football from 2019:
5.) Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal wins first Nations League title
Portugal National football team wrote their name in the history books in June after winning the inaugural UEFA Nations League tournament. The Cristiano Ronaldo-led side defeated Netherlands 1-0 to lift their first trophy since the 2016 European Championship. Goncalo Guedes handed over Portugal a one-goal lead which helped them earn the title. It was Guedes's fourth goal in 17 appearances for Portugal and his first competitive international strike. Portugal was seeking some redemption after a dismal performance in the FIFA World CUP 2018, and they achieved it. It was surely a great moment to cherish for the Portugal players and fans.
4.) Liverpool’s epic comeback in Champions League
8th May 2019 evening turned out to be a celebration for Liverpool as they made a stunning comeback against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals. Trailing 3-0 after the first leg without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool produced another monumental comeback in Europe to stun Barcelona 4-0 at Anfield and reach the Champions League final by winning the tie 4-3 on aggregate.
Liverpool were seemingly chasing the impossible against a strong Barcelona side but against all odds, Liverpool completed an incredible comeback. The win has been described as the greatest in European history and is one of the greatest moments of 2019.
3.) Ajax’s Heartbreak
One of the most memorable and emotional moments of 2019 was Ajax’s elimination from the Champions League. A dynamic young team who defeated the mighty Real Madrid, were on the verge of making history with their first Champions League final for 23 years, but instead suffered a heartbreak. With seconds ticking down on the clock, Spurs winger Lucas Moura scored a brilliant goal to take his side to the Final of Champions League. The tears flowed down at full-time as Erik ten Hag's men suffered the cruellest of semi-final defeats against Spurs.
2.) Liverpool Winning the Champions League
On 1st June 2019, City Real Madrid turned all red as Liverpool lifted the Champions League trophy after 15 years. Liverpool erased the bitter memories of last season's UEFA Champions League final loss by claiming the trophy for the sixth time with a win over Tottenham in Madrid. Mo Salah, who had painful memories of last year's final defeat by Real Madrid after suffering a shoulder injury, rose to the occasion and helped his side to lift the prestigious trophy. The win was sweet redemption for German Klopp, who had suffered defeat on his last six appearances in major finals.
1.) Messi Winning his sixth Ballon d’Or
The biggest name in football, Lionel Messi, sealed the biggest moment of 2019 by claiming his 6th Ballon d’Or trophy. The Argentine finished above Dutchman Virgil van Dijk and Portugal's third-placed Ronaldo, who has won the award five times. Messi won the award for the first time in 2009 but had not won it since 2015. Messi again had a stellar season, becoming Europe's top scorer for a third consecutive season and winning his 10th Spanish football championship title with Barcelona. He was also named the Best FIFA Men's Player in September, once again beating Ronaldo for the title.
