Football, on most days, is a predictable game. But sometimes, it gives you moments that leave you wondering “How on Earth did that happen?” And 2016 was a year full of such shocks. From huge individual upsets to stories of underdogs going all the way, 2016 left us wide-eyed and awestruck more often than not. The only things that stayed consistent to predictability were Arsenal finishing over Tottenham, and Arsenal drawing Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
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As odds were defied and gasps were drawn, we look at some of the biggest shocks of 2016.
#5 The rise of RB Leipzig
Over the last few years, the outcome of the German Bundesliga had become fairly predictable. Bayern Munich ran out winners in all of the last four editions of the league, and rather comfortably more often than not. Teams like Borussia Dortmund also contested for it, but never really troubled the Bavarian giants.
But this year saw newly promoted RB Leipzig rise as a potential title challenger, having even led the league table for a few weeks. They now sit level on points with Bayern Munich, behind only on goal difference.
Leipzig’s story has been an interesting one, as the much-derided club rose from the lower ranks of German football in rapid ascension and now look to establish themselves as a mainstay in the top flight of Germany. Formed only in 2009, it took the team only seven years to climb through 4 tiers. The club has invited much criticism and now possess the dubious moniker of the most hated team in Germany.
In a country where clubs are supposed to give controlling rights to fans, Leipzig, owned by Red Bull, have flouted these rules as they have only 17 members with voting rights. This has led to fans all across Germany seeing them as standing against German football culture. Most Germans see them less like a football club and more as a marketing gimmick for Red Bull.
But RB Leipzig themselves will not care much, as they have already accumulated ten wins and stand to be major title contenders. They have picked up impressive wins over Dortmund, Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen in the process, and will travel to Munich to face the mighty Bayern in their last match before the winter break. With players like Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Timo Werner and Davie Selke, they are a formidable side and can claim a major underdog victory come the end of the season.
#4 Lionel Messi retires. And then returns.
The final of the Copa America, being played on its 100 year anniversary, was won by Chile, as they defeated Argentina to pick up their second consecutive Copa America title in two years. Argentina were coincidentally the defeated finalists in the previous year too. This was the third major final in an international tournament that Argentina lost in three consecutive years, as Germany snatched the World Cup from under their noses in 2014.
And as if the loss in the final was not enough, Lionel Messi compounded the heartache for Argentina fans by saying that he was retiring from international football. "For me, the national team is over," he said. "I've done all I can, I've been in four finals, and it hurts not to be a champion. It's a hard moment for me and the team, and it's difficult to say, but it's over with the Argentina team."
The decision shocked football fans all over the world as the Barcelona man was only 29 and had much to offer. While the disappointment of consecutive defeats was touted as the main reason behind his decision, there were rumours that it was in protest against Argentina’s central football governing body, the AFA, and it’s shambolic structure.
But the dismay of the fans was short lived as Argentina’s highest goalscorer made a decision to return to the national team.
"A lot of things went through my mind on the night of the final and I gave serious thought to quitting, but my love for my country and this shirt is too great," Messi said. He went on to add that "There are a lot of issues that need to be resolved in Argentine football, but I prefer to help from within and not to criticise from the outside,"
Messi marked his return to international football in typical fashion, scoring the winner against Uruguay. The world will look now, in eager anticipation of what the talismanic forward can do in Russia in 2018.
#3 Chelsea’s meltdown
Many thought that United’s title defence under David Moyes would remain the worst one in some time to come, but Chelsea obliged to take that record away from Manchester United soon enough, as they finished in the 10th spot in the table. Jose Mourinho was in charge when Chelsea saw their downfall, struggling to find wins as they saw themselves fall to 15th on the table.
“The Special One” was ousted just before the new year, and Chelsea fell back to a man who had been a crisis fixer for them before; Guus Hiddink.
The Dutchman improved Chelsea's form slightly, as the dressing room which was once lost in turmoil returned to a better state and on-field performances looked more convincing. However, they failed to win a single trophy and were knocked out of Europe by Paris Saint-Germain.
The reasons for the meltdown was a fall out between players and the manager, with Jose Mourinho apparently losing the dressing room. Mourinho again suspected spies and traitors and looked at a loss when on the byline.
They managed to reverse their fortunes this season, however, under new coach Antonio Conte and currently lead the Premier League table.
#2 England bow out to Iceland in Euro ‘16
England came into Euro ‘16 with high hopes. Armed with the firepower of in-form strikers Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane, and the experience of Wayne Rooney, they expected an easy entry into the quarter-finals when they found out that their round of 16 opponents was lowly Iceland, who had surprisingly qualified 2nd from their group.
And that quarter-final spot looked to be sealed when Raheem Sterling was brought down inside the area. Wayne Rooney duly converted from the spot putting the Three Lions ahead within 4 minutes.
But nothing would prepare them for the 15 minutes that followed. First, Ragnar Sigurdsson, the Fulham centre-back equalised in two minutes from an Aron Gunnarsson long throw. And on 18 minutes Iceland chalked up a nice passing move from their right-hand side, and Gylfi Sigurdsson set up Kolbeinn Sigthorrsson for a shot from the edge of the area.
It was a weak shot, and Joe Hart got a hand on it, but the Manchester City goalkeeper could not keep it out, and Iceland took a shock lead.
Iceland held on to the one-goal advantage, defending as a team and England once again knocked out of an international tournament. The result came as a shock to many, who would have expected England to at least make the quarter-finals.
While not many would have England marked as favourites for the tournament, it was a disappointing performance from them, and there lies much work ahead.
#1 Leicester lift the Premier League
David Cameron becoming the Aston Villa manager. Sir Alex Ferguson winning Strictly Come Dancing. Kim Kardashian as the President of the U.S.A. The Loch Ness Monster being sighted.
When something less likely to occur than all of the above-mentioned events, you know it has to top this list. 5000-1 was the odds given by bookies to the Foxes when it came to winning the league title. In spectacular fashion, Leicester City, who were on the verge of relegation a year ago, lifted the Premier League trophy. Powered by the likes of N’golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, Ranieri’s men counter attacked their way to glory, losing only thrice along the way.
Even though they lead the league on Christmas day 2015, people waited for their eventual downfall to happen. Except it didn’t. Ranieri and his boys defied every odd to become the 6th team to lift the Premier League trophy, holding off the challenges of Tottenham and Arsenal.
Fans of the league were all part of a huge Jamie Vardy party, whose own rise from non-league footballer to record-breaker mirrored that of English football’s biggest dark horses. And it was a party at Vardy’s house where the whole team watched as Chelsea came back from behind against Tottenham to deny Spurs a victory and secure the league for Leicester, completing the ultimate underdog story.
For decades to come, this will remain a story to be passed on to future generations of football watchers. 2016 was, indeed, the year of the Foxes.
