This is it. The last year of the decade is coming to an end.
A decade of changes, a decade of heroes, a decade of nations rising to fame, and of clubs falling apart. Although it was tempting to conclude 10 years of world football, we, in BabaGol, decided to keep it real this year as well.
As each December 31st in the past four years, we will conclude the previous year with the top 20 stories, games, phenomena and names, which made our year at BabaGol special and exciting.
2019 was a year of the unpredictable, of new perceptions, of newcomers, of challenges, of ‘no rules’.
We wish you a happy new year in 2020, may it blow your mind like this one.
From all of us at BabaGol,
Keep football real.
Qatar Wins the Asian Cup, Plays in the Copa America
If 2019 is to be remembered for something specific, it would be for Qatar’s rise to prominence at the international level for the first time. The Annabi played an impressive Asian Cup tournament in the United Arab Emirates that was concluded with a first-ever triumph of the continent’s top competition. With the Gulf political crisis in the background, the Qataris have shockingly beaten both Saudi Arabia and host UAE in style. Felix Sanchez, Qatar’s Spanish coach, has guided a group of talented Aspire Academy alumnus that he has been coaching since they were teenagers. Players such as Abdelkarim Hassan, Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, were also performing on the world stage in the summer, when they competed in the Copa America as a visiting team. Although they haven’t qualified for the knockout stage, Qatar produced a solid performance against Paraguay (2-2) and lost to Colombia and Argentina by small margins and after a respectful effort against the world’s best players. The Gulf Cup was a disappointment, but what this year showed everyone is that Qatar will arrive prepared for the 2022 World Cup, whether the world likes it or not.
Flamengo and Gabigol Win Libertadores and Brasileirao
How can one stay indifferent when the club with the biggest fan-base in the world comes back to the front row of world football after almost 40 years? When it’s Flamengo, you simply can’t. The Mengão has won their first Brasileirão title in ten years, which was incredibly important for the club, but it was their hectic Libertadores final performance against River Plate that exceeded everyone's wildest dreams. A two goal comeback in the last five minutes of the game created a legend that nobody saw coming, in the first-ever one-legged final of the most important club competition in America. In addition, their Club World Cup campaign was solid and they gave a great fight to Liverpool in the final. Flamengo had a great team in 2019, but above all was Gabriel Barbosa, Gabigol, who produced more than 30 goals and was in charge of the fortune changes of the Rio de Janeiro club. Gabigol, 23, failed in Inter Milan and already suffered the flop etiquette, but after he scored the shocking brace in the Libertadores final in Lima, he became a true hero for the Fla nation and in Brazil. In fact, Gabigol’s story turned out to be an alternative success story. You don’t have to play in Europe in order to change people’s lives, you can stay at home and carry your own people for a historical achievement. A role model.
European Stars Go to South America
One of the most refreshing phenomena in the past year was the movement of big names in European football, from Europe to… South America. Players who came to spend their last career years in the prestigious clubs of Brazil and Argentina. Dani Alves, Filipe Luis, Juanfran and Rafinha, all made their way to where it all started. In addition, Daniele De Rossi joined Boca Juniors in a move that lit the Argentinean fans for a few weeks. It is quite refreshing to see footballers in this level not chasing the grand pay-checks in Qatar or China, but returning home or coming to a farewell round in front of fans who truly appreciate it. Big up for all involved.
Women’s Football Takes the Main Stage
Women’s football is heavily developing in recent years, and 2019 may be remembered as its breakthrough year.
Domestic leagues around the world became more popular. Record attendances were broken in the WSL, England and Spain. Women’s football matches were played in the biggest stadiums in the world, including Wembley, Parc de Princes and Wanda Metropolitano. It became a global force as players from different countries had an opportunity to play for major clubs, such as Colombian Leicy Santos, who signed for Atletico Madrid.
That list is not complete without mentioning the 2019 Women’s World Cup. It was the biggest Women’s World Cup ever that received attention all over the globe. The players and teams perform at the highest level, putting to rest any doubt that women can also play football. There were also the stories of Wendie Renard, who made the long path to the French national team; of Vivianne Miedema, who led The Netherlands to their first-ever final; and of course, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, who were the voice and face behind the new feminine revolution.
Algeria wins AFCON after 28 years
Many teams won continental tournaments throughout 2019, but the most exciting journey was that of the Desert Foxes in Egypt. It came after a year of demonstrations that brought to a historical regime shift, on the soil of their most fierce rival in African football and after a long wait of almost 30 years. Djamel Belmadi’s Algeria was everything you look for in a national team. Powerful, committed, ruthless, but also glowing. The victories against Senegal in the group stage, and later on in the final, were the proof that Algeria is the best team in Africa without a doubt, but it was the semifinal against Nigeria in the Cairo international stadium that marked that AFCON 2019 is written in the stars, just under Algeria’s name. A free kick in the 94th minute, on the edge of the box, Riyad Mahrez, from all people, sending it in style to the upper left side of the goal to make it 2-1 and rocket Algeria to the final. Tears.
Expanded Tournaments Create Stories
Three continental championships were played in a new format. The Asian Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations were expanded to 24 teams, while the Gold Cup was expanded to 16 teams.
Before the tournaments, many fans had doubts about the ability of these new teams to be competitive enough. However, in every match it was evident why the new teams deserved to be part of these football celebrations. They brought their own football stories and culture, and made it clear that they are no longer minnows. Some have even reached the latter stages of the tournaments.
Madagascar Qualify for the AFCON Quarterfinals
Madagascar was known up until 2019 as a tropical island that a Disney movie was named after, but this was their year they showed that they know how to play football.
The Barea have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time and presented one of the amazing debuts in the tournament’s history. They have finished in the first place in the group stage, after defeating Nigeria in the last match and amazed DR Congo in the round of 16. In their journey, football fans had a chance to hear about the unknown players, that most of them were playing in the second and third tier in France. A team that was anonymous with their incredibly long player names, has ended as Africa’s biggest surprise.
Dima Raja Conquers the World
Club football produced some great stories in the past year, but if there is one club that broke the boundaries and gained a new status, then Moroccan Raja Casablanca would definitely be the one. Raja is a mega-club in Morocco and North Africa, but in 2019 it managed to upgrade its status to a regional and international institution. The club’s visit to Jerusalem for the Arab Champions Cup fixture against Hilal Al-Quds has put both Palestinian and Moroccan football in worldwide headlines and showed other Arab clubs how to treat the sensitive situation in the West Bank. This move gained Raja a unique place in the Palestinian and Arab fans’ hearts, as it is now common to see their famous green shirts in East Jerusalem. In addition, the Casablanca Derby, Raja against Wydad, rose to new heights this year, completely diminishing the status of other derbies in North Africa such as Algiers and Cairo. 2019 was Dima Raja’s.
Eran Zahavi is a Goal-Machine
It was the fourth season for the prolific scorer in China, but it wasn’t just another campaign.
He scored 29 goals, more than any other player in a single season in the Chinese Super League. Although infamously known for his winning and equalizing goals, it was one strike that became viral worldwide. A winning goal against Tianjin Teda, scored with a Rabona, received attention from all over the world, as people wondered - who is this Israeli scorer?
Besides his success in China, he was also one of the leading scorers of the European Championship qualifiers with 11 goals, one behind top scorer Harry Kane.
Al-Ahed Wins AFC Cup
Each year there is this Cinderella that gives people hope. This year, in the Middle East, it was Lebanese Al-Ahed, who accomplished the unthinkable. The Shiite club from Beirut won the AFC Cup, after a 1-0 victory in the final against April 25 from North Korea, in a controversial final that has been moved between three different venues due to the issues of transmitting the match from Pyongyang. The fact that Ahed is the first Lebanese team to win a continental title, and that they won it while Lebanon was washed in a mighty stream of protests against the current regime made the achievement even more significant. What makes things more complicated is the connection between the club and Hezbollah, the organization that runs the country’s security department. What could have been a title for the people, turned somehow into an achievement for Hassan Nassrallah’s organization.
The Korean Derby in World Cup Qualifiers
While in 2018, everyone was full of hope for a new era in the relations between North and South Korea, in 2019, things were a bit different.
North Korea hosted South Korea in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. It was the first time that South Korea has played in Pyongyang since 1990, but it wasn’t an easy operation by any means. South Korea didn’t get permission to cross the border and had to travel to Pyongyang via China. The stadium gates were closed and only 100 people were allowed to enter Kim-Il Sung Stadium and watch the match. The game hasn’t even aired on South Korean television.
It ended in a goalless draw, but it was a game to remember for its story outside of the pitch.
China’s Football and Politics
Football in China became more dominant this year, both within the country and abroad.
Domestically, the national team is still trying to improve its level. After the failure of last year’s training camps, China decided to naturalise foreign players to boost their national team’s chances. It began with Brazilian Elkeson, who changed his name to Ai Ke Sen, and made his international debut for China. Four more Brazilian players are expected to join him next year.
Abroad, China’s new role in worldwide football is leading Europe to change its habits. The big money from China is pressuring players, teams and leagues who express their opinions against China. Mesut Özil’s incident, who spoke in favour of the Uyghur minority, created headlines all over the world. What can Europe do when China is paying them so gently for their own interests?
Al-Hilal Wins AFC Champions League
Al-Hilal had a special 2019, as 20 years of anticipation for their third Asian Champions League came to an end with a victory in the Asian Champions League final against Japanese Urawa Red Diamonds. The Blues enjoyed a terrific campaign under Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu, and with international stars such as Sebastian Giovinco, Bafetimbi Gomis and Andre Carillo, they were a level above all their opponents in the journey for the cup. In addition, Salem Al-Dawsri’s dominance throughout the season and especially in the semifinal against Qatari Al-Sadd gave the fans of Asia’s biggest club more reasons for celebrations. Mabrouk ya Hilaly!
Dynamo Brest Wins the Championship Title of Belarus
The sensational championship by Dynamo Brest in Belarus signalled the end of 13 consecutive titles by BATE Borisov.
This team made a long journey after they were bought by Paul Daher, a mysterious Lebanese-Emirati businessman. Dynamo brought to the squad experienced local players, as well as foreigners with high reputation. All of them led the team to a tremendous season, finishing above the leading club in Belarus and winning their first-ever championship.
Bahrain Erupt from Nowhere
Slowly but carefully, Bahrain is becoming a solid Arab national team that wins tournaments. After a positive Asian Cup campaign, the Bahrainis won the West Asian Championship in Iraq, and immediately followed with a surprising victory in the Gulf Cup final against Saudi Arabia, in Qatar. If that’s not enough, Abdullah Yusuf Hilal, became the first Gulf player to participate in the Champions League group stage, playing for Slavia Prague. Without the noise of Saudi Arabia, without the extraordinary investment of Qatar, Bahrain is currently an emerging football power coming from the Gulf, without anyone predicting it. Sharaftuna!
The Rise of the Caribbean national teams
In the two previous Gold Cups, Jamaica has made amazing runs all the way to the tournament’s final, while the other Caribbean teams failed to impress.
The new CONCACAF Nations League gave the Caribbean teams an opportunity to play at a higher level, and eight teams have qualified for the 2019 Gold Cup. Jamaica has reached the semifinals for the third consecutive time, alongside Haiti that reached the top four for the first time since 1977. Also, Curaçao reached the quarterfinals and almost upset the USA, and two additional teams made their Gold Cup debut, Bermuda and Guyana.
VAR Scandal in the CAF Champions League
One of the most controversial stories of the year has involved VAR, surprisingly or not. The Video Assistant Referee technology has taken the football world by storm, with positive and negative interpretations. Yet, the worst case of VAR mishandling took place in Rades, Tunisia, at the CAF Champions League final between Esperance Tunis and Wydad Casablanca. A line of mistakes and failures that degraded the event into a complete chaotic scenario involving a few of African football's highest calibre officials. VAR is here to stay, but this incident in June exposed its disadvantages and CAF mediocrity at its utmost worst.
Kosovo Almost Making the Euros
Kosovo was always the rejected team of European football. It took a few years until FIFA and UEFA accepted the Kosovo FA as a full member.
After their successful UEFA Nations League campaign, where they confirmed their participation in the Euro playoffs, Kosovo made an unbelievable campaign in the Euro 2020 qualifiers. They returned to their home stadium in Pristina and made a dream come true by playing against England home and away. Moreover, after an impressive run, they were in a head to head fight for the automatic qualification spot against the Czech Republic. Only a defeat in the second to the last match left them behind the Czechs, but with great memories and big hopes for the future.
Finland & Teemu Pukki are having a Party
The Finnish national team had 2019 to remember, as they qualified for a major international tournament for the first time in their long history. While they faced a tight group and their demons from the past, the side was led to glory by coach Markku Kanerva and striker Teemu Pukki. Besides his crucial nine goals in the campaign, Pukki became a worldwide sensation after leading Norwich City to the Premier League and then amazingly developing into one of the best strikers in England’s top flight, at the age of 29.
Blue Girl: Iranian Female Fans Fight for Equality
One name that will not be forgotten anytime soon is the one of Sahar Khodoyari. The Iranian football fan that has been arrested for dressing as a man and sneaking into an Iranian League match of her favourite team, Esteghlal Tehran. Khodoyari has set herself on fire outside of the court building in Tehran after she was charged for six months in jail for her acts. A week later, she died from her burns, and the story turned viral, attracting the attention of significant forces in the football world. In a way, Khodoyari has sacrificed herself in the quest for alarming the poor conditions of women in Iran to watch football as equals. May she rest in peace, and may Iranian women get full access to the Azadi Stadium and other stadiums in the country as anywhere else in the world. Amen.
Sahar Khodoyari. (Twitter)
Worth a mention:
Abderrazak Hamdallah finishes a world’s top scorer with 57 goals
Los Angeles Derby becoming a Thing
Diego Milito and Racing Club Revival
Cruzeiro’s relegation
Hilal Al-Quds journey in the AFC Cup and the Arab Club Championship