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2014 was a great year for football supporters with Germany lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy in Brazil to Real Madrid fulfilling their decade-long obsession of bringing home the 10th Champions League title.The year was all about moments, from intense to light-hearted ones, and in an attempt to remember the best ones, we have tried to compile a slideshow with the most epic and brilliant GIFs that we have been collecting for this day throughout the year. In the form of an annual rewind, we bring you the 15 best GIFs of the year:
#1 A handshake snub while the whole world is watching
Almost all of us have been embarrassed by handshake snubs once in our lifetime, but it was Canadian referee Joe Fletcher who was rejected of one (not on purpose, of course!) during the world’s greatest sporting spectacle, the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
This was moments before the kick-off when the Spanish and Chile players were preparing to come out of the tunnel along with the match referee. Poor old Fletcher tried to reach out the FIFA delegate for a handshake right after the latter had greeted Spanish skipper Iker Casillas who was standing next to Fletcher, thinking it was his turn.
To save himself from the embarrassment, Fletcher did what most of us would do. Pretend to stroke your hair.
But, maybe it was a bit too late as the footage went viral on the internet. Casillas, who was standing next to him, gave him a reassuring pat on the back.
#2 Miguel Herrera - the most passionate manager in the world
Mexico manager Miguel Herrera, also known as El Tri, was one of the most popular managers during the FIFA World Cup, and that was mostly due to his energetic and passionate celebrations by the touchline.
When managers like Vincente Del Bosque and Luz Felipe Scolari are often seen maintaining a straight face despite what their team are performing on the pitch, Herrera’s passion towards the game and his team was reflected on his body-language.
His celebrations inspired Australian animator Adam Philips, a former employee at Disney, who transformed the Mexican into a Super Saiyan.
#3 Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella falling backwards
Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella’s reaction to a miss from Gonzalo Higuain during their World Cup tie against Belgium finds itself as one of the most used gifs over social media forums, and why wouldn‘t it be? It’s awesome.
It was when former Real Madrid striker Higuain, who had already scored once in the first half, missed an open chance after beating almost every Belgium player including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. To Sabella’s agony, this miss was perhaps too hard to handle as he almost fell off his feet.
#4 James Rodriguez transforms into a Super Saiyan
During Columbia’s match against the United States, Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez was captured by the camera as steam started rising off his body while he was preparing to take a free-kick.
This scene had an uncanny resemblance with a Dragon Ball Z episode during which the lead character Goku would transform into a Super Saiyan for the first time against Frieza. This is how many people interpreted it, giving it this apt title.
#5 Diego Costa planning for an alternative career as a bench steward?
Want to shave your legs but too busy for football? Not anymore. At least if you are sitting next to Diego Costa on the bench. This was during the World Cup when Costa tried to shave Xabi Alonso’s leg.
Alonso looked unamused throughout this routine while Costa was working on his ‘art’ right on the bench. The hilarious part was when Costa tried checking both sides of the tapes, like it could have appeared on the non-sticky part as well.
Alonso was not the only one who was terrorized by the ‘outrageous antics’ of Costa as you can watch him trying to cool Santi Cazorla’s leg.
#6 Ancelotti does the Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo scores a lot of goals and unlike most other top goal scorers, he is pretty picky about his celebrations which includes one where he runs towards the corner flag and jumps with his arms in the air.
During Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Eibar last November, the Portuguese forward picked this certain celebration after he scored his 19th goal of the season, only to be imitated by his manager, Carlo Ancelotti.
Good stuff!
#7 Alan Pardew does his happy dance
It was during a match against Aston Villa when Newcastle manager Alan Pardew did his dance routine that included a smiley among all other whacky moves from the touchline.
Pretty sure Pardew was trying to instruct one of his players, but we are not sure we really get what he is trying to say. Is this kind of a secret code that no one else is supposed to get? We can only speculate.
#8 Arsene Wenger getting drenched in champagne
Arsenal’s win in the FA Cup last season over Hull City meant that manager Arsene Wenger was winning his first silverware in nine years, a feat that called for a celebration. And, boy did they celebrate! The French man was completely drenched in champagne as he ran away like a child from Lukas Podolski during the celebrations.
Later, when asked, the German insisted that Wenger needed a drink. “He needed it. After nine years, he needs a little drink, of course. When I played for Bayern, I won the league title and the cup.”
“When you win something you must celebrate. You celebrate, then you focus on next season,” he added. “When you wait nine years, especially for the fans, it’s something special.”
#9 You will never slip alone
Steven Gerrard's slip against Chelsea that led to a goal from Demba Ba was one of the highlights of the year, something that the English midfielder would definitely not like to take pride in. During Chelsea’s 2-0 win over the Reds last season, the Liverpool skipper lost touch of his footing as he slipped while losing possession of the ball.
Gerrard, who is known for his strong character, was asked about his feelings over the slip, to which he said, “I haven’t counted but I’ve seen it a few times. I don’t have to watch something like that to go through the pain again and again and again. It happened.”
"I’ve been through the pain in the dressing room after and in the weeks and months after it,” he added. “When something like that happens, you have to try to face it up. I’m man enough to take it on the chin and accept it. It’s happened and I can’t change it.”
Clearly the incident hurt him more than we think it did, espceially after the loss cost them their first ever Premier League title.
On a lighter note, here is the funniest version of the slip that we have come across:
#10 Duck before it hits you!
Sergio Ramos is very popular among the GIFmakers, particularly because of his poorly taken penalty against Bayern Munich in 2012. During Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Eibar this season, the Spanish defender cleared the ball in the wildest manner possible.
As the ball was heading out of the stadium, it bounced back of the broadcast camera instead as it turned out to be a unique moment of the match.
#11 The year of #justneuerthings
It was a great year for Bayern Munich and German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who by his own merit he has earned the right to stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the running for the Ballon d’Or award this season.
From standing by the half-way line out of sheer boredom to knocking the ball past opponents for shits and giggles, Neuer is arguably the best keeper in the world right now as he proves time and time again that he is not all about showboating but also a great wall in front of the net with his fast reflexes and good positioning skills when needed.
Summarising Neuer's antics in one GIF
#12 Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores and celebrates at the same time
Paris Saint-Germain have a gem in the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their roster, and the Swede knows it pretty well. Known for his eccentric personality, Ibrahimovic’s celebration right after he scored an equalizer during his side’s Ligue 1 match against Nantes makes as one of the best GIFs to have come out of this year.
Ask yourself this: How many footballers celebrate while scoring? Not many. So, embrace the awesomeness of Zlatan while you still can.
#13 A year of friendship for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, like every other year, are in the running for the Ballon d’Or race yet again as their supporters continue to belittle both of the two stars. However, unlike their supporters, the two superstars always seem to be getting along with each other.
The following GIF was captured at the end of the El Clasico in April which had ended in Real Madrid’s favour as the Whites cruised to a 1-2 victory against Barcelona at Mestalla as Ronaldo was seen consoling dejected Lionel Messi after the defeat.
This GIF is from the international friendly between Argentina and Portugal that was played at Old Trafford this November.
As much as their fans engage in continuous mudslinging, the two players actually have a lot of admiration and respect for each other. Perhaps the fans can take a cue from this.
#14 Stephanie Roches goal that made her the first women to have been shortlisted for FIFAs Puskas Award
It was a titanic year for Irish female footballer Stephanie Roche as she made history after being shortlisted for FIFA’s Puskas Award for the year 2014. The Puskas Award is given every year to the footballer with the ‘most aesthetically significant, or most beautiful goal,’ and Roche is now up against Manchester United’s Robin van Persie and Real Madrid’s World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez.
The 25-year-old now plays for ASPTT Albi in France's Division 1 but the fantastic three-touch strike was scored while she was representing Peamount United against Wexford Youth in the Bus Eireann National League. Controlling a low cross with her right foot keeping the ball in the air, and then taking another touch in order to turn she produced a fantastic volley with her left foot.
Read more about the goal, her reaction to it and words from her supporters here.
#15 Joe Hart acknowledges fantastic free-kick attempt by Cambiasso
During Leicester City’s 0-1 loss at home to champions Manchester City on 13th of December, former Inter Milan star Esteban Cambiasso almost found a goal from a long-range free-kick, only to be denied by a brilliant Joe Hart save.
Impressed with the midfielder’s ability to place the shot so well from 35 yards out, Hart gave Cambiasso a thumbs-up while with a grin on his face. Cambiasso acknowledged Hart’s message and did the same.
