Top Sporting Stories of 2024: A Year of Triumphs, Tragedies, and Transitions
As 2024 comes to a close, SportsRations bids farewell to another eventful year that showcased remarkable triumphs, heartbreaking farewells, and unforgettable moments in the world of sports. From the spectacle of major events like the European Football Championship (EURO 2024) and the Paris Olympics to the heartbreaks of iconic retirements and personal losses, 2024 had it all. Let’s look back at some of the key developments that defined the sporting year.
January:
The year began with a sorrowful note as football legend Franz Beckenbauer, known for his incredible contributions to Bayern Munich and German football, passed away on January 7 at the age of 78. His death left an indelible mark on the sport, marking the loss of one of the greatest players and footballing minds ever.
February:
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crowned Ivory Coast champions once again. After a thrilling 2-1 victory over Nigeria, the Ivorians clinched their third AFCON trophy, following their wins in 1992 and 2015. Later in the month, the Premier League made headlines as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of 25% of Manchester United was approved, signaling a new chapter for the club.
April – June:
In April, Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen achieved a historic milestone, clinching their first-ever German Bundesliga title after a 5-0 drubbing of Werder Bremen. Their unbeaten season marked a new era for the club. Manchester City won the Premier League title, Inter Milan were crowned Serie A winners while PSG took the French Ligue One crown.
Real Madrid emerged victorious in the 2024 UEFA Champions League, defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final on June 1. A few days later, in one of the most significant moves of the year, Kylian Mbappé, the French football superstar, joined the Spanish giants on a free transfer, leaving Paris Saint-Germain. The summer saw the hiring of Jose Mourinho by Turkish football club Fenerbahce, a move that shook the footballing world.
Summer 2024:
June and July saw incredible performances in tennis, with Iga Świątek and Carlos Alcaraz dominating the French Open. The Spaniard secured his first French Open title, followed by a triumphant Wimbledon victory in July, beating Novak Djokovic.
At the EURO 2024, Spain triumphed once again, edging out England 2-1 to claim their second continental title in a thrilling final in Berlin. But the summer was not only about football. In Paris, the Olympic Games unfolded with great drama, with the USA basketball team winning their 8th consecutive Olympic gold medal in women’s basketball and the men’s team taking gold after defeating France in the final.
August – September:
August saw the rise of Turkish chess prodigy Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, who became the youngest player ever to achieve the grandmaster title. Later in the month, world football mourned the loss of former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, who passed away after battling terminal cancer. On August 14, – Real Madrid won the UEFA Super Cup, beating Italy’s Atalanta 2-0.
In tennis, Aryna Sabalenka secured the US Open women’s title, while Jannik Sinner, the young Italian sensation, claimed his second Grand Slam after winning the US Open men’s title.
September – October:
The world of football was left in awe as Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in history to score 900 career goals. The sporting world continued to see monumental achievements as Manchester City’s Rodri received the 2024 Ballon d’Or, and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí won her second consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or. Former world champion and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta from Spain retired from professional football in this month.
On October 23, US basketball superstar LeBron James and his 20-year-old son Bronny became the first father and son duo to play together in an NBA game when the Los Angeles Lakers won their season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103.
November:
In November, the world bid farewell to one of the greatest tennis players in history: Rafael Nadal. After a brilliant career that saw him win 22 Grand Slam titles, Nadal made his final appearance in the Davis Cup, ending his illustrious journey with a loss to Botic van de Zandschulp.
December:
As the year closed, the sporting world saw two major developments. On December 11, Saudi Arabia was awarded the 2034 FIFA World Cup, while Morocco, Portugal, and Spain were named joint hosts for the 2030 World Cup. On December 18, the legendary LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing NBA record for most minutes played in regular season history, cementing his place as one of basketball’s greatest.
Nigeria and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman won the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year award. Chelsea’s Ukrainian player Mykhailo Mudryk tests positive for a banned substance. Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior won the 2024 Best FIFA Men’s Player award while on on the 18th, Real Madrid beat Pachuca 3-0 to win FIFA Intercontinental Cup
Conclusion:
2024 was a year full of highs and lows. From unforgettable sporting achievements to the farewell of legendary figures, it was a year that reflected the power of sport to inspire, unite, and mourn. As we turn the page to 2025, we can only look forward to more moments of greatness, and SportsRations will continue to bring you the stories that define the world of sports.
