2023 was another year full of great football moments.
The team here at BabaGol has picked out a few of the more memorable moments from the last year.
Saudi football revolution
First and foremost, this year will be remembered for Saudi Arabia’s grand entrance in to the football arena.
In June, the Saudi Ministry of Sports announced a €20 billion investment in the Saudi Pro League.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) - who own Newcastle United - took out a 75% stake in each of the four big Saudi clubs - Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahil - while some government-run companies invested in other teams.
Karim Benzema, Neymar Jr., Ngolo Kanté, Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez and a long list of world-class footballers joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the kingdom.
All of this for one goal: making the Saudi Pro League one of the world’s leading competitions.
This tectonic movement is part of a more significant project that delves into internal social Saudi Arabian issues, foreign affairs and impact goals - the cultural rebranding of Saudi Arabia within its society, and to the world, as well as preparing to host the World Cup.
After years of Saudis watching the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from the sidelines, as they made their moves on the football field, they are now making their own.
The project has also had a broader impact in Asia.
For the first time, fans in Iran could see Ronaldo, in Iraq fans could boo Benzema, Mané played in Tajikistan, and Alexander Mitrovic could say hello to passionate Indian fans outside the DY Patil Sports Stadium in New Delhi.
As Saudi Arabia will almost certainly host the 2034 World Cup, this phenomenon is not going anywhere anytime soon. It is only the beginning.
Cristiano Ronaldo still has it at 39
What else can we say about CR7?
At 39, he is still breaking records, scoring goals for club and country and leading the way to one of the most significant movements in world football.
Ronaldo scored 54 goals for Al Nassr and the Portuguese national team, regaining his relevance for the national side after a relatively poor World Cup individually in 2022.
The Portuguese legend is making a real impact on Saudi football.
And his side, Al Nassr, is gradually becoming an Asian powerhouse and a global brand to boot.
When comparing the level of competition in the Pro League and the AFC Champions League to other tournaments that others who are ‘past their best’ are competing in, it is clear that Cristiano Ronaldo is definitely a one-of-a-kind footballer.
Lionel Messi joins Inter Miami
The world waited in vain to see where Lionel Messi would decide to ply his trade after his unsuccessful Parisian affair had come to an end.
Despite a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal - €1.2 billion, per reports - the Argentine world champion decided to head to Miami and change ‘soccer’ in the United States for ever.
It started well, but petered out a bit after a while.
But, with Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and now Luis Suarez with him, Messi is hoping to make the US a leading fútbol nation ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Salah breaks more records for Liverpool, Africa and the Arab world
In 2023, Mohammed Salah reminded us why he is one of modern football’s greatest players.
This year, Salah broke the 200 goal mark for Liverpool, passing through Robbie Fowler and Steven Gerrard to become the club’s fifth all-time top scorer.
Salah also reached a total of 55 goals for Egypt, just 13 behind the great Hossam Hassan.
All of these make Salah one of the most prolific scorers of his generation.
Still, somehow, he is consistently overlooked in discussion about who will win the Ballon d’Or - this probably makes him one of the most underrated footballers in recent history.
An Africa Cup of Nations title with Egypt is the only piece missing in the puzzle - Ivory Coast will be awaiting his arrival this January.
2023 Women’s World Cup breaks records
Women’s football is continuing to progress across the world, and the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand had a major part in doing so.
The first-ever 32-team Women’s World Cup was competitive, broke attendance records and drew attention all over the globe.
The gap between the teams became closer, with a number of upsets like Sweden’s win against the USA in the round of 16, and Australia’s win against France in the quarter-finals.
The final between Spain and England was promising, with Spain winning its first title.
Israel’s heroic U20 World Cup and U21 Euros
The summer of 2023 captured moments that will be ever part of Israeli football history.
Two youth teams, the U20s and U21s, put in remarkable performances, giving hope for the future.
The U20s qualified for their debut U20 World Cup.
The European runner-ups from last year began their campaign with a loss to Colombia, and struggled to a draw against Senegal.
Since that moment, Israel had a great run with late winning goals against Japan in the decisive group stage match, and the round of 16 game against Uzbekistan.
In the quarter-finals, Israel shocked Brazil with a win after extra time.
Even the defeat against Uruguay in the semi-finals didn’t let them down, as they finished in third place with an impressive 3-1 win against South Korea.
A few weeks later it was the turn of the U21s in the Euros - and once again they were one step away from an early group stage exit.
And, once again, Israel managed to score in the final minutes against Czechia.
Their quarter-final match against the host side Georgia ended with a great performance from Daniel Peretz in a penalty shoot-out.
Although Israel lost to eventual winners England in the semi-finals, they booked their place in the Olympic Games for the first time since 1976.
Indonesia U20 and U17 World Cup hosting saga
Indonesia has been waiting for a while to host a World Cup.
They won the hosting rights to the U20 World Cup in 2021, but the Covid pandemic led Fifa to cancel the tournament.
Instead, they were supposed to host the tournament in 2023, but that didn’t go to plan.
After Israel qualified for the tournament, the local government announced that they wouldn’t let the team play in the country.
People in the host cities held mass protests against the country’s participation.
After a few weeks, Fifa officially announced that Indonesia had lost their hosting rights, and Argentina would host the tournament instead.
Politics left the Indonesia U20 team behind.
A few months later, Fifa gave the U17 World Cup to Indonesia, after Peru withdrew.
Uruguay win the U20 World Cup
It was in 1930 when Uruguay won its first World Cup - against Argentina on home soil.
In the U20 World Cup they had to wait longer - until 2023 in fact - and this time in Argentina.
Uruguay beat Iraq and Tunisia in the group stage, and even a loss against England didn’t stop them.
In the knockouts they would beat the Gambia, the USA and Israel, before playing Italy in the final.
A single goal from Luciano Rodríguez made them celebrate their first U20 World Cup title.
Their squad was strong, with a number of talented players that we have talked about in BabaScouted articles in the past.
Alan Matturro, Franco González and many others will hope to bring this Garra Charrua again over the next few years.
Senegal takes over African football
Last December, Senegal marked 20 years since their famous 2002 World Cup run with another knockout participation in Qatar.
Now, they want to look to their future, and it’s going to be a marvelous one.
Within five months, Senegal won three continental competitions - the African Nations Champions, the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, and the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
It wasn’t their only success in the youth levels, as the U17s reached the World Cup round of 16.
The legacy of the Lions of Teranga keeps going.
Endrick shines with Palmeiras
Once every few years, the world discovers the next Brazilian star.
In late 2022, Endrick was announced as that player, when Real Madrid signed him for €60 million.
As the deal can only go through when he turns 18, this year was his farewell to Palmeiras, and it was glorious.
Endrick scored 11 goals in the Brasileirao, becoming his team’s top scorer this season, and leading the club to the title for the second year in a row.
He will leave Brazil in the summer, before taking it to the biggest stages of Europe.
Mexico win the Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is the best warm-up for the three 2026 World Cup hosts.
In recent years, the clash between Mexico and the USA has become even more interesting, as the Americans try to prepare for a strong run in their home World Cup.
Two years ago, Mexico lost in the final against the USA, and now they wanted to take the trophy back.
While Mexico qualified for the final easily, the USA failed to do so, after losing to Panama in the semi-finals after penalties.
It was close, but in the final Mexico won 1-0 after a late goal from Santiago Giménez.
Mexico won, but it won’t be the last installment of that head-to-head battle.
Fluminense win first Libertadores
In years past Brazil has been dominated by Palmeiras, Flamengo and even Botafogo, so it was unusual to see Fluminense going all the way in the Copa Libertadores - the club’s first-ever triumph in the prestigious competition.
With a relatively mature squad - featuring Marcelo, Felipe Melo, German Cano and coach Fernando Diniz - Flu handled River Plate in the group stage, and Argentinos Junior, Olimpia and Internacional in the knockouts.
But the cherry on top was the Libertadores final, where they beat Edinson Cavani’s Boca Juniors in the final.
A goal from John Kennedy in extra time gave the first taste of continental glory to one of Brazil's most prominent football institutions.
Napoli win the Serie A after 33 years with Oshimen and Kvara
In the south of Italy, people had been waiting 33 years for this moment of joy.
Since the days of Diego Maradona, Napoli had failed to win the league.
In 2023, they made it, with a 16 points lead over Lazio.
Victor Osimhen was Serie A’s top goalscorer with 26 goals, traveling along the road from Nigeria and into the hearts of the Napoli fans.
While another key player was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian who had been signed from Dinamo Batumi for €10 million.
Even if Napoli fails to repeat that feat this season, these players will be seen as heroes in the eyes of the Neapolitans for many years to come.
West Ham win the Europa Conference League
The second edition of the Europa Conference League proved once again that this tournament is not something to miss.
It was, again, a final between two great clubs - West Ham United and Fiorentina.
In a tremendous match in the Eden Arena in Prague, the Irons won 2-1, with a 90th minute winner from Jarrod Bowen.
The Conference League has become the stage for teams and players that have so far struggled to win trophies.
Bowen, for example, played for Hereford United as a youngster; his manager David Moyes won his first major trophy after over 20 years in the profession.
Road to the 2026 World Cup begins
Less than three months after Argentina celebrated its World Cup title in Qatar, the road to the 2026 World Cup has begun.
It started with games in South America in March, and later Asia and Africa joined the party.
So far we have already seen some remarkable stories, such as Pakistan's return to international football after a four year break, some complicated hosting issues in Africa, and Brazil struggling to perform.
In 2024 we will have more qualifiers to play, and the list of who will be on the plane to North America will start to take shape.
The World Cup bidding process
Hosting a World Cup has become a difficult task in modern times, but winning the rights to host the event has become more manageable if you have the right sources.
After the infamous saga of Russia and Qatar's 2018 and 2022 bids, FIFA took things a step further this year.
The 2030 World Cup will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with the first three games in Uruguay, Argentina and Chile, as a symbolic gesture for the tournament’s centennial edition.
Saudi Arabia, who gave up the bidding process for the 2030 World Cup, was left as the sole bidder for the 2034 edition, after Australia suspiciously decided to drop its offer to host.
All these decisions were made behind closed doors, adding to the bad taste the bidding process was already carrying.
There you go, a World Cup with only one country bidding for it and, not surprisingly, it is the one with the deepest pockets.
Omer Atzili writes history with Al Ain
Who would have thought that one day, an Israeli-Jewish player would play and score in an Arab league?
Well, things are happening.
Emirati giants Al Ain signed Omer Atzili - the two-time top scorer of the Israeli Premier League - in a rare deal.
Atzili is providing goals and assists at a reasonable rate.
After struggling with coach Alfred Schruder, the arrival of his replacement, Hernan Crespo, has done magic for the Israeli, who's competing under a Romanian passport.
So for some he is Israeli, for the rest he is Romanian, and he keeps scoring and assisting.
Qassem Suleimani statue saga
This year marked a hopeful moment with Saudi and Iranian teams playing each other on home soil after years in neutral grounds, as a result of tensions between the two countries.
Despite the positive development, when Al Ittihad arrived in Isfahan to play Sepahan in the AFC Champions League, with 60,000 fans in the stands, a statue of Qassem Suleimani, the now deceased Quds Forces Commander who launched attacks on Saudi Arabia in the past, was waiting on the sidelines.
The Saudis refused to play with the statue on the field, but the Iranians refused to remove it, and 30 minutes later, Al Ittihad’s players were on their way to the airport.
Eventually, the AFC called it a 0-3 victory for the Saudis, claiming the Iranians caused “a political provocation”.
It doesn’t get more Middle Eastern football than that.
Iraq wins the Gulf Cup on home soil
Straight after the World Cup in Qatar, the Middle East saw another iconic tournament in the region.
For the first time since 1979, Iraq hosted the regional Gulf Cup in Basra, Khaleeji 25, and it was a unique event.
The opening ceremony was more impressive than the one at the World Cup, and the opening match was held in a terrific and crowded atmosphere.
The Lions of Mesopotamia managed to go all the way under the guidance of Spanish coach Jesus Casas, and provided millions with hope and joy that they, as Iraqis, can also have a home tournament, like any other country.
Super League and football’s future
Just before 2023 ended, the European Court for Justice made their decision regarding the European Super League.
The decision allowed teams to operate the league, although in the coming days a number of high-profile clubs chose not to sign on to the initiative.
International football is facing a clash between old traditions and the business side of the sport.
It’s a clash between old powers who want to retain their place and new powers that want a piece of it.
For many people, these clashes are all about money.
Almost made the list:
Israel-Gaza War
The war impacted the lives of everybody in the region, football included, as Israeli and Palestinian football got severely hurt by the fighting - setting the elements for some tragic, yet inspiring and emotional, football stories.
Giants knocked out of the AFC Champions League
Persepolis, Al Sadd and Sharjah left the Asian football top club competition earlier than expected.
Al Ahly lose to USM Algiers in the CAF Supercup
It’s not common for the Red Devils to lose a final, let alone to an Algerian team, but it happened!
Uzbekistan win U23 Asian Cup
The eternal dark horses of Asian football conquered another continental title. When will they prevail at the senior team level as well?
Vissel Kobe win first J League title
A season after El Mago Iniesta left the Japanese club, Vissel finally won the championship.
Al Ittihad win first championship title for 14 years
The Jeddah Tigers are arguably the most popular club in Saudi Arabia, and the gulf as a whole, and their passionate fans have waited for this title for years.
Russia joining the AFC saga
In the shadow of the war in Ukraine, Russia was testing the idea of moving to Asia, where it could play and participate in continental competitions and qualifiers for the World Cup. But this was recently buried under a vote by the Russian Football Union, which decided to keep trying to convince UEFA to let them back in.
Algeria host first international tournament since 1990
Algeria hosted CHAN this year, but the opening ceremony and a speech from Mandla Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, will be remembered, as he mocked Morocco and called to free Palestine and Western Sahara - sparking a huge rift between Morocco and Algeria.
Turkish Super Cup Scandal
On the verge of the new year, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe were supposed to play the Turkish Super Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after the Saudis bought the hosting rights. The two teams decided to honour modern Turkey's national father, Atatürk, by wearing t-shirts with his face, including singing the Turkish anthem before the game. An hour before kickoff, the Saudi organisers refused as it counts as a political gesture, and the match ended up being cancelled, with both teams heading to the airport. This provoked an unprecedented wave of unity among Istanbul's big rivals, encouraging clubs, fans and people all over Turkey to join. A massive national, social and cultural event rising from football clubs, made the Saudis and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, move uncomfortably in their chair before 2024.
