From Bayern Muinch becoming the European powerhouse to shocking exit of Manchester United's manager Alex Ferguson, football saw the best and the worst happening in the year 2013. Here are some of the events that caught everyone's attention on and off the pitch.
Brazil the centre of attention ahead of 2014 World Cup
As countries battled to qualify for the World Cup finals to be held in Brazil in 2014, the host country was the attention for one and all in football management. There were protests in more than 100 cities about the vast amount of money being spent to stage the tournament, putting country's poverty and economic crisis on the backburner. The building of stadiums has caused problems, falling behind schedule, to cause more headaches for the world governing body FIFA and Brazil's World Cup organisers. Accidents while building the stadiums resulted in the death of two workers.
Football's best coach calls it a day
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson announced his retirement on May 8, ending a legendary career that included 13 English league titles, five FA Cups and two UEFA Champions League trophies in 26 seasons with the club. Ferguson was the most successful manager in the history of the British game and famously won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999. The Scot guided United to a record 20th English title in 2013. He began his managerial career as a 32-year-old at East Stirlingshire before moving to St Mirren, where he won his first trophy by taking the Scottish first division title in 1977. Ferguson's talent at building winning teams became apparent after he took over at unfashionable Aberdeen and turned them into a major force in a league where Rangers and Celtic had dominated.
Bayern Munich's dominance takes European football by storm
This year's outstanding European side was none other than Bayern Munich that won the historic treble, including the Champions League. Bayern beat archrivals Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in an all-German Champions League final full of drama and attacking football. In road to the finals, Bayern thrashed Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate while Dortmund beat Real Madrid 4-1 in the first leg to go through 4-3 on aggregate. Bayern, who also claimed the German title and German Cup, was the most dominant force in European football.
EPL, La Liga and Serie A
After being cruelly denied their 20th title by rivals Manchester City in 2011/12, Manchester United were more determined than ever to win it back in 2013. After losing the title on goal difference, United came all guns blazing thanks to the new recruit Robin van Persie. Their form continued to improve throughout the season and come May, they were the worthy winners looking at the results and quality of football over the course of the campaign.
In Spain, at the start of the season, many people wondered how Barcelona would cope without Pep Guardiola? But Tito Vilanova answered the critics. Though they couldn't win the cup competition and were outplayed in the Champions League by Bayern Munich, Barcelona's season ended with celebration in more ways than one. They reclaimed the La Liga title and reached Real Madrid's record of 100 points, which was achieved just one season earlier.
In Italy, it may not have been a record-breaking season but Juventus once again confirmed themselves as the strongest side in Serie A. Finishing the season nine points clear of Napoli in second place, the Old Lady not only conquered Italy but proved that she is well on her way to establishing a legacy with coach Antonio Conte.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Ribery fight it out for Ballon d'Or
Barcelona and Argentina No. 10 Messi is hoping to be crowned the world's leading player for a record fifth year in a row, but he faces stiff competition from Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Bayern's Ribery. Portugal captain Ronaldo is the favorite to clinch the award for the second time in his career as he has not only performed sensationally for Real but also for his country. He single-handedly helped Portugal qualify for the World Cup 2014 after scoring a hat-trick against Sweden in Sweden in the play-offs. France's Ribery was a key player in the Bayern Munich team which won the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup treble in 2013.
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