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As 2021 draws to a close, we look back at an eventful year in football. Lionel Messi and Argentina broke their long international trophy drought at this year's Copa America. Meanwhile, there was redemption for Euro 2020 champions Italy, who bounced back in style after failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
There was no shortage of drama in club football either. Serie A and Ligue 1 unexpectedly saw the reigns of Juventus and PSG respectively ebd. Meanwhile, the Premier League continued to dominate European football as two English giants battled it out in the Champions League final last season.
The best football clubs of 2021 - who makes the cut?
Our list of the most impressive football clubs in 2021 is based on performances throughout the calendar year.
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The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, who have started the 2021-22 season strongly, miss out after a lacklustre finish to their 2020-21 campaign. Similarly, Atletico Madrid also miss out, as their performances have plummeted since winning the La Liga title in the first half of the year.
On that note, here are the five most impressive football clubs in 2021:
#5 Real Madrid
In a year where Spanish teams have struggled, Real Madrid have been the most impressive La Liga team in 2021.
Los Blancos suffered a rare trophyless season in 2020-21, conceding the La Liga title to Atletico Madrid by only two points. Zinedine Zidane's men were also knocked out of the 2021 UEFA Champions League semi-finals by Chelsea.
To exacerbate matters, Real Madrid were rocked by three huge exits earlier this summer. Club captain Sergio Ramos and star defender Raphael Varane departed the club before Zinedine Zidane handed in his resignation.
Los Blancos have brought back Carlo Ancelotti. Despite another summer without a blockbuster signing, Madrid are back with a vengeance. Real Madrid are currently eight points clear of Sevilla at the top of La Liga. The gap between Los Blancos and their arch-rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid is over 15 points.
Only a monumental collapse will deny Real Madrid a record-extending 35th La Liga title next year. They are also through to the Champions League Round of 16, where they are slated to face PSG. Ancelotti's men look like a cohesive unit, and will fancy their chances of getting past the inconsistent Parisians.
#4 Inter Milan
Inter Milan did the unthinkable in 2021 by denying Juventus a tenth straight Serie A title. The Nerazzurri stunned Cristiano Ronaldo and co., finishing a whopping 13 points ahead of the fourth-placed Bianconeri.
Despite their league success, Inter endured a disastrous summer, losing top-scorer and Serie A MVP Romelu Lukaku as well as manager Antonio Conte. Nevertheless, under new manager Simone Inzaghi, the team is on course to complete a stunning domestic repeat. They currently hold a four-point lead over second-placed AC Milan.
Inter have overcome financial difficulties, and haven't let the depature of key players affect their fortunes. They have also qualified for the Champions League knockout stage for the first time since the 2011-12 season. Against Liverpool in the Round of 16, Inter face an uphill task to qualify for their first Champions League quarter-finals in over a decade, though.
#3 Chelsea
When Chelsea sacked Frank Lampard in January earlier this year, the Blues were ninth in the Premier League table. After spending over £250 million in the summer of 2020, it looked as though their 2020-21 season would end in abject failure.
What happened next was nothing short of astounding, though. New boss Thomas Tuchel led Chelsea to a top-four league finish and the FA Cup final. Most importantly, the London club embarked on an incredible run to win the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League.
The Blues were the best team in world football in the first half of the year. Even Pep Guardiola and Manchester City had no answer to the Blues' remarkable defensive solidity. Not only did Chelsea beat the Sky Blues in the Champions League final, but Tuchel's men also eliminated City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The only blot in an otherwise flawless five-month spell was Chelsea's 1-0 loss to Leicester City in the 2020-21 FA Cup final.
Chelsea are enjoying an impressive second half of 2021 as well. They began the 2021-22 season by beating Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup. Tuchel's men are also in the race for the 2021-22 Premier League title. However, they currently find themselves six points adrift of leaders Manchester City after losing momentum in the last few weeks.
The Blues have been handed a favourable draw in the Champions League Round of 16. They will face struggling Lille, and are favourites to advance to the quarter-finals.
#2 Bayern Munich
Serie A and Ligue 1 saw the respective dynasties of Juventus and PSG come to an end in 2021. However, parity is still a dream in Germany, where Bayern Munich continue to rule the Bundesliga with an iron fist.
The Bavarian giants secured a record-extending ninth consecutive Bundesliga title earlier this year, finishing 13 points ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig. They are currently nine points clear of Borussia Dortmund, and are likely to make it ten straight triumphs next year.
Bayern Munich have already won the 2021 DFL-Supercup, with a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Despite the numerous milestones and trophies, Bayern Munich will look back at their 2020-21 campaign with a hint of regret. They suffered an embarrassing second-round exit on penalties from the DFB-Pokal against lower-division Holstein Kiel.
The Bavarians also bowed out of last season's UEFA Champions League in agonising circumstances. In the absence of their star player Robert Lewandowski, Bayern were narrowly eliminated on away goals against PSG in the quarter-finals. It was a heartbreaking exit for the German giants, who were arguably the better team across both legs despite missing their top scorer.
Nevertheless, Bayern Munich have the opportunity to set things right in 2022. They finished top of their UEFA Champions League group with a 100% win record, becoming one of only ten sides to achieve the feat. Drawn against RB Salzburg in the Round of 16, Bayern Munich will fancy their chances of going all the way in Europe this year.
#1 Manchester City
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola might just be their own worst enemies. The Sky Blues were unstoppable until the Spanish tactician decided to play the UEFA Champions League final without a holding midfielder.
It was practically the first time in the entire 2020-21 campaign that City played without either Rodri or Fernandinho. The Citizens were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea as their long wait for an elusive European crown continued.
That unfortunate night in Porto aside, Manchester City have been nearly flawless in 2021. Despite playing without a bonafide centre-forward, Pep Guardiola's men have made football look remarkably simple. They won the 2020-21 Premier League title by a comfortable margin, finishing 12 points ahead of Manchester United.
They also beat Tottenham Hotspur to secure a fourth straight EFL Carabao Cup. There was the occasional blip, though, such as last season's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea. The Citizens also suffered a 1-0 loss to Leicester City in August's Community Shield clash. Their remarkable Carabo Cup run also came to an end with their defeat to West Ham United in the Round of 16 this year.
Nevertheless, as far as major competitions are concerned, it has been smooth sailing for Manchester City in 2021-22. They currently hold a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, although second-placed Liverpool have a game in hand.
Pep Guardiola's men also pipped Lionel Messi's PSG to top spot in their Champions League group. The Citizens are scheduled to face Sporting Lisbon in the Round of 16. It is a favourable draw, and there's no reason why last season's finalists can't make another deep run in Europe this time around.
