The year 2022 broke a lot of news that shocked sports, especially football. From the football league championship to the World Cup, last year was really full. Here is a recap of what the year 2022 looked like in football.
Lukaku returns to Inter, Chelsea sacked Tuchel
Romelu Lukaku completed his return to Inter Milan on season-loan after a flop Chelsea comeback. The Belgium international scored 8 goals in 26 matches during his second spell at Stamford Bridge, signing a club-record £97.5 million ($135 million). Few months later, Chelsea sacked head coach Thomas Tuchel following the team’s loss to Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 in the Champions League opener, their third consecutive away loss and the first under the German coach. Watch soccer and win today here!
PSG sacked Mauricio Pochettino
Paris Saint-Germain have sacked Mauricio Pochettino and named Christophe Galtier as new head coach. The club did not outline the details of the deal as well as the reason for Pochettino’s sacking. The former Tottenham coach spent 18 months at the Parc de Frances and won the 2020-21 Coupe de France, the 2020 Trophée des Champions and the Ligue 1 title last season following his appointment in January 2021. However, he failed to earn the Champions League after losing to Manchester City in the semis.
England wins Women’s Euro 2022
England were crowned the champions of Europe after winning their first major women’s tournament in a dramatic Euro 2022 final against eight-time champions Germany at Wembley Stadium. Substitute Chloe Kelly netted her first international goal that also sealed the win for the Lionesses. The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes with Lina before Kelly fired the winning goal in the extra time. England’s quarter-final victory against Spain also became the most watched in history.
Karim Benzema won 2022 Ballon d’Or
Real Madrid and France forward Karim Benzema has won the Ballon d’Or as the best footballer of the year for the first time in his career. The 34-year-old Benzema, who is the oldest to receive the award since Stanley Matthews in 1956 and the first French winner since Zinedine Zidane in 1998, scored 44 goals in 46 games. Just recently, Benzema announced his retirement from international football after France failed to clinch back-to-back World Cup titles.
Ronaldo left United, signed with Saudi side
In an exclusive interview a few days before the World Cup, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo slams Manchester United over attempts to force him out of the club, saying that he felt “betrayed” and revealing that he has “no respect” for head coach Erik ten Hag. For the first time in his career, Ronaldo ended his first season trophyless last season. The English side responded shortly by confirming that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner agreed to terminate his contract. Ronaldo is set to move to a Saudi side.
Football legend Pele dies at 82
Brazilian football great and three-time World Cup winner Pele has died at the age of 82. Pele made his international debut in 1957, and played at the World Cup the following year at age 17 — the youngest player ever. He won two more World Cups in 1962 and 1970, and retired after scoring a record of over 1,000 goals. Pele had a colon tumor removed in 2021 before being readmitted late last year.
Argentina won the World Cup
Lionel Messi netted twice and converted a penalty to help Argentina lift their first title since 1986, beating France 4-2 on penalties in the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The South American giants started the competition with a record upset in the tournament history before being unstoppable until the final round. It was Argentina’s third World Cup and first since 1986.
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