Top 5 Unbelievable Football Stories of 2016

After Argentina's loss in the 2016 Copa America final, Messi said: "This is the fourth final I've lost. I tried so hard, and I truly wanted to win a title with Argentina. But unfortunately, I couldn't. My career with the national team is over. I thought about it a lot in the locker room after the match. I am really disappointed. I decided to part ways with Argentina." Messi’s announcement stunned the media and fans alike, as he was only 29 years old at the time, at the peak of his career and still capable of greatly contributing to both Argentina and his club. With the support of his family, fans’ pleas, and efforts from the government, Messi was moved and made the decision to return to the national team. He marked his return with a goal against Uruguay in a South American World Cup qualifier.

The newly-promoted Bundesliga team RB Leipzig has shocked all of Europe by challenging Bayern Munich for the top spot, even surpassing the dominant team in the title race. In recent years, the outcome of the Bundesliga was almost predictable with Bayern Munich's overwhelming superiority, facing no serious opposition on their way to the title. However, this season is different. RB Leipzig is writing its own fairytale, much like Leicester City in the Premier League. Founded in 2009, the club has reached Germany's top tier in just seven years and achieved remarkable success, creating a true shockwave.

At the start of the season, Leicester's manager Claudio Ranieri set a modest goal for the club: to ensure their survival in the Premier League. With bookmakers offering 5000/1 odds on Leicester winning the title, it was clear that the club had no chance. Even the most loyal supporters of the Foxes never dreamed of a title after the season ended. Yet, all predictions were completely overturned. Leicester created a fairytale, rightfully claiming the 2015/2016 Premier League title, leaving the big clubs in their wake. Credit goes to the 'Welder' Ranieri, whose strategic thinking, resilience, and ambition built a cohesive team where players like Wes Morgan, Riyad Mahrez, and Jamie Vardy proved their skill and bravery throughout the season.

Entering Euro 2016, the England national team was highly rated, considered one of the favorites for the title. With a squad of strong, young talents like Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane, along with experienced players, England was seen as a formidable opponent for anyone. However, despite the high expectations, a massive shock occurred. After easily progressing through the group stage, England seemed set to reach the quarterfinals, with their Round of 16 match against Iceland, a team considered a minnow. The match, however, took an unexpected turn. England took an early lead with a Rooney goal in the 4th minute, but they couldn't hold onto the advantage and were stunned by Iceland’s comeback, losing 2-1 and being knocked out of Euro 2016. This was seen as a huge upset, with some newspapers calling it a 'national disgrace.'

After winning the 2014/2015 Premier League title, Chelsea seemed poised for another successful season. However, the reality was far different as the club experienced a complete collapse, setting numerous negative records in its history. In the previous season, Chelsea had earned 2.29 points per match, with 26 wins, 9 draws, and only 3 losses. But after 15 games in the 2015/2016 season, the team was averaging just 1 point per game, at times sitting only one point above the relegation zone. This disastrous form led to the sacking of Jose Mourinho by owner Roman Abramovich for the second time. There were many factors contributing to Chelsea's decline, including a strained relationship between Mourinho and the players. The manager had lost the support of the squad and even accused them of undermining him. With Antonio Conte taking over as manager, Chelsea underwent a dramatic transformation and regained their position as one of the top clubs, currently sitting at the top of the league.