Happy New Year! Here's Your 2022 Football Moments Recap

2022 was a year full of surprises, especially at the end of a year full of football moments. Starting from the 2022 world cup in Qatar until El Bicho officially joined the Saudi Pro League. Here is the 2022 recap of the football moment.

1. Qatar 2022 World Cup

The 2022 Qatar World Cup, which started on 21 November 2022 and until 18 December 2022, was the first world cup held in the Middle East. Where 32 countries are playing, sixty-four matches, and eight stadiums located 50 km away from the city centre, Doha, Qatar. 

The used eight stadiums are Al Bayt Stadium, Lusail Stadium, Al Rayan Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Stadium 974, Al Thumama Stadium, and Al Janoub Stadium. The 2022 Qatar World Cup was the most expensive world cup, which spent 300 billion for its implementation and was the shortest because the event was held only for 29 days.

2. Morocco Ranks Fourth in the World Cup

The 2022 Qatar World Cup successfully surprised the world with its various moments. One of the best moments was Morocco won fourth place in the World Cup. Morocco managed to join the semi-finals after beating Portugal with a score of 1-0. However, France defeated Morocco with a final score of 2-0 in the semi-finals. Sadly, Morocco has to stay in fourth place after losing to Croatia with a final score of 2-1. Even though they didn't make it to the top three in the world cup, Morocco has made impressive achievements as the fourth place by beating big countries like Portugal and Spain with a final penalty score of 3-0.

3. Argentina's World Cup Victory After 36 Years

The Qatar World Cup closed with the long-awaited victory of Argentina. This tango country needed to wait for its last world cup victory in 1986. Apart from being happy to see Argentina win after thirty-six years, the fans were satisfied to see Lionel Messi, the true goat, finally hold the world cup trophy. The 2022 Qatar World Cup, which should have been Lionel Messi's last game at the world cup, did not end because of Argentina's victory.

4. Death of Pele

Apart from the best football moments from the 2022 Qatar World Cup, there is also a sad moment. Such as the death of Pele on December 29, 2022, at the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, So Paulo, Brazil. Previously, Pele was known to have undergone therapy and treatment for colon cancer since 2021. Pele's death resulted in deep sorrow for famous football players such as Neymar Jr, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi. Pele's death also brings grief to people all over the world.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo officially joins Al Nassr

Based on the Instagram accounts of Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr FC, the player with the nickname El Bicho has officially joined Al Nassr FC. Cristiano received a contract for two and a half years until 2025 for a contract fee of $200 million a year. Cristiano Ronaldo said that he was fortunate for everything he set out to win in European football and his feeling to share his experience in Asia. Al Nassr FC is a football club that has won nine Saudi Pro Premier League Titles. El Bicho will join other famous football players in Al Nassr FC, such as David Ospina, Luis Gustavo and Vincent Aboubakar.

The last month of 2022 was full of various football moments, from Morocco's success in becoming the top four of the world cup to Cristiano Ronaldo joining the Saudi Pro League. Will there be another football surprise in 2023? Let's wait and enjoy the moment.