Change is an inevitable thing in life. World football, as an instance, is a dynamic thing and it does change over the course of time, slowly but surely. We are just one year away from the 2018 World Cup that will take place in Russia.
Germany won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and will be looking to give everything in their locker to defend their crown.
Here, in this article, we will highlight how world football has changed since Mario Gotze hit that winning goal in the final. Here are 10 such things which have happened in the world of football since then.
#1 Leicester City’s sudden rise and fall from grace
English football saw one of the biggest fairytales ever in football in the 2015-16 season when Leicester City won the Premier League title, defying all the odds. The Foxes were promoted to the first tier in 2014 only and a late heroic run saw them avoiding an immediate relegation, just before the season they won the biggest prize in English football.
However, that amazing rise was short-lived as Leicester City are now struggling big time this season and have already parted ways with their title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri. If things still do not improve, we might see the reigning champions of England dropping down to Championship.
#2 Portugal winning their first major trophy
In 2016 Euros, most people were probably rooting for hosts France or World Cup holders Germany to win the Championship. England, Belgium and Spain were also considered as outsiders for the trophy but who would have thought that it would be Portugal who will go all the way!
Since the emergence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal had been more of a one-man army but in the Euros, Fernando Santos’s boys hardly looked like they were thoroughly reliant on the superstar. Despite Cristiano limping off with an injury in the final, Portugal went on to beat favourites France to win their first ever major trophy.
#3 Paul Pogba becoming the most expensive player in the world
On 8 August 2016, French superstar midfielder Paul Pogba returned to his former club Manchester United, on a five-year contract for an all-time record for the highest ever transfer fee at €105 million (£89.3 million) plus bonuses of €5 million, surpassing the former record holder Gareth Bale.
Bale commanded a transfer fee of £85.3 million (€100 million) when he moved to Real Madrid from Spurs in 2013. However, looking at the sudden rise in player values, Pogba might not remain the most expensive player ever by the next World Cup.
#4 We got to witness MSN and their incredible contest with BBC
The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona is turning bitter day by day and it’s often evident in the transfer market as well. Before the World Cup 2014, Real Madrid boasted the best attack in the world in Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo and just won the Champions League but Barcelona had a perfect plan to counter that.
Just after the World Cup, Barcelona signed Liverpool forward Luis Suarez and the rest, as they say, is history. MSN has become the most feared attacking triumvirate in world football although BBC are not far behind.
#5 Once the best player in the world, Zizou made an immediate mark as a manager
Just because you used to be a great player does not mean that you will necessarily become a good manager. It’s a feat only few have managed to achieve so far like Johan Cruyff, Carlo Ancelotti et al. Zinedine Zidane, the best midfielder in the world from his time and one of the best ever, surely made a brilliant start to his managerial career.
After assisting Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and then working as the manager of Real Madrid Castilla, Zidane took over Real Madrid midway through the last season after the club sacked Rafael Benitez. It was a tough time for the club but Zidane took all the way to European glory which was indeed a remarkable start to his managerial career.
This season, his Real Madrid side are leading the La Liga table and are also doing really well in the Champions League. We have to wait and see what future holds for the French gaffer.
#6 Jose Mourinho won the title with Chelsea, got sacked and took over Manchester United
Jose Mourinho’s life has been quite eventful since Brazil ‘14. Well, what less can you expect from ‘the Special One’!
Since the last World Cup, Mourinho won the Premier League title with Chelsea, got the boot by the Blues in the immediate next season and then became the manager of rivals Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Jose’s Chelsea are now managed by Antonio Conte who ruled Italian football for quite a long time and has made a major impact in English football as well.
#7 Premier League boasting of the best managers
Premier League has always attracted the best players around the world but the same can be said about managers also. There are some gifted managers in English football right now and as the result, it has become even more competitive.
While the English teams are struggling to show their true colours in Europe, the Premier League has certainly transcended to a whole new level with managers like Guardiola, Klopp, Mourinho, Wenger, Pochettino et al.
#8 Spanish clubs enjoying their monopoly in Europe
Since the last World Cup, we have seen Barcelona and Real Madrid, each winning one Champions League and Sevilla winning the Europa League twice. In fact, Sevilla have won the Europa League in the last three seasons, back to back!
While Spanish clubs are dominating Europe, English and Italian clubs are struggling big time. Only Bayern Munich from Germany and Juventus from Italy have come up with some contest. Will the Spanish monopoly end anytime soon? Only time can tell.
#9 Argentina lost two back to back two Copa America finals resulting in the Messi saga
You got to feel sorry for Argentina who have lost three major finals in the last three years. They lost to Germany in the World Cup final and lost in the final of Copa America to Chile twice, in 2015 and 2016.
For Lionel Messi, losing back to back three finals was probably too much to take and he even retired from international football. However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner eventually came back from retirement.
#10 Brazil slowly but surely preparing for the 2018 World Cup
After their humiliation in the last World Cup at home, Brazil have come a long way and will probably head to Russia next year as one of the favourites. Tite’s Brazil side definitely have the look of the champions and that shows from their recent results.
This Brazil team is not just about Neymar but more about a complete team where everybody has what it takes to step up. With the likes of Coutinho, Firmino, Willian, Fernandinho, Casemiro, Marquinhos, Marcelo, young Gabriel Jesus et al, Brazil are now a force to reckon with once again!
