Football in 2023: The year in review

As the curtains fall on another thrilling year of football, 2023 showcased the sport's global popularity both on and off the pitch. The year had everything from pulsating domestic leagues to international tournaments to record-breaking transfer fees.

Let's start in Sydney, where an unfathomable low followed an evening of record-breaking highs. Olga Carmona's goal secured Spain a 1-0 win against England in their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup final. But the historic achievement was overshadowed by Luis Rubiales' antics during the celebrations. The Spanish FA President lost his job because of his behaviour towards members of the Spain and England squad. He has also been banned from all football-related national and international activities for three years.

La Liga TV presenter Semra Hunter told Football Now that what the Spanish women's team did was extraordinary and can be understated.

"What they went through. What these women have been going through for many years - we're not talking about just friction between the players and the coach. But there is also friction between the coaching staff and the players in the federation. And I think the fact they were able to say, "Well, we're going to prove all of you wrong, and we're going to do this for ourselves", more than anything else, it's very much a source of motivation, not just young girls, but young boys as well." Samra explained.

In the men's game, Manchester City capped off an incredible 2023 by winning the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, 7 months after clinching a historic treble. The Cityzens won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League earlier in the year, becoming only the second team to do so since Manchester United did it in 1999.

Sports writer