Ronaldo, Salah, Other Football Landmark Records of 2024

The year 2024 has been a landmark one in football, with players and clubs reaching extraordinary limits and setting records that will be remembered in time to come. From Cristiano Ronaldo achieving a remarkable goal tally feat which was once thought to be impossible by fans and critics alike to clubs dominating their respective leagues and European competitions in styles as well as national teams.

In 2024 the football world witnessed the power of individual brilliance and excellence in teamwork. Hence, this piece is set to dive into the biggest records made by footballers and football clubs in 2024.

Cristiano Ronaldo Surpasses 900 Career Goals

Numerous records made in 2024 are fit to start this piece but I consider it appropriate to begin with Cristiano Ronaldo, at the age of 39, continuing to redefine the limits of longevity and excellence in football. In 2024, he became the first player in the history of the sport to surpass 900 career goals, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest of all time.

Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal during the Nations League match for Portugal against Poland, a moment celebrated worldwide. By the end of 2024, Ronaldo had scored an astonishing 916 goals in over 1200 official matches, including goals for club and country. This remarkable feat highlighted Ronaldo’s unparalleled work ethic, fitness regimen, and ability to perform at the highest level well into his late 30s.

Mohamed Salah’s Unstoppable Premier League Campaign

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah continued to dominate English football, breaking several records that solidified his status as a Premier League legend: Salah set the record for the most goals scored on Premier League opening days, netting in his eighth consecutive season opener. Salah surpassed Didier Drogba to become the highest-scoring African player in Champions League history.

Although these records were set towards the tail end of 2024, it is something that needs to be among the discussion of remarkable records made by players in 2024. He became the first player in Premier League history to record a goal or assist in eight consecutive matches during a single season and achieve so in just half of the season. Salah’s performances in 2024 underscored his importance to Liverpool’s attack, blending creativity and clinical finishing to extraordinary effect.

Lionel Messi Extends International Scoring Record

Lionel Messi, despite playing a reduced role for Argentina in 2024, added to his already staggering international goal tally. By the end of the year, Messi had scored 112 international goals, further extending his lead as the highest-scoring South American player in history. Messi’s contributions in key matches during the Copa America qualification rounds still remind the world that he is still a football genius.

Manchester City Makes Premier League History

Asides, from footballers making waves, clubs as well made and shattered records in 2024. One such club is Manchester City achieved a feat previously thought impossible, becoming the first club in English football history to win four consecutive Premier League titles. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the league, with an incredible blend of tactical innovation and individual brilliance from players like Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

City also set the record for the most points across four consecutive Premier League seasons, amassing an incredible 358 points during this period. Haaland contributed 30+ goals for the third straight season, while De Bruyne surpassed the 15-assist mark in a single campaign for the second time in his career.

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Erling Haaland’s Golden Boot Domination

Erling Haaland’s meteoric rise to football superstardom continued unabated in 2024. The Norwegian striker not only won the Premier League Golden Boot for the third consecutive season but also broke the record for the fastest player to score 50 Premier League goals, achieving the feat in just 51 matches.

Haaland ended the calendar year with 57 goals in all competitions, making him the most prolific scorer in Europe for the second year running. He also became the youngest player to reach 40 goals in the Champions League, achieving the milestone at just 24 years old.

Spain’s Historic Unbeaten Euro 2024 Campaign and Yamal’s Prodigy

The Spanish national team made history by winning the 2024 UEFA European Championship without suffering a single defeat. Under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain reasserted their dominance in European football, with standout performances from emerging stars like Lamine Yamal.

Spain conceded just three goals throughout the tournament, setting a new record for defensive solidity. Moreover, Yamal became the youngest player to play and score in the Euros competition since it was established. He also became the youngest player to win the Young Player of the Tournament award, contributing three goals and four assists in seven games.

Real Madrid’s 15th Champions League Title

When it comes to Club football, there is none that does it better than Real Madrid, the kings of European football, added to their already legendary status by winning their 15th Champions League title. In a thrilling final against Borrusia Dortmund, Vini Junior scored a decisive goal, solidifying his place as one of the world’s best footballers.

Vini became one of the youngest players in history to be named the tournament’s Player of the Season as well as FIFA’s Best Men Player in 2024. Not to forget that Real Madrid became the first club to reach the Champions League final in five consecutive seasons, another record that showcases their European dominance.

Bayer Leverkusen 2023/24 Invincible Run

We may have seen or heard of stories of players and clubs performing the invincibles, going from match to match and from tournament to tournament without losing a match. Arsenal had performed such a feat in 2004 but Leverkusen’s unbeaten run in the German Bundesliga which has been for long dominated by Bayern Munich is a remarkable record that speaks volumes in 2024 and may not be easily erased from football’s history.

Xabi Alonso, a young coach with limited managerial experience led his side to secure two trophies, the Bundesliga title and the DFB Pokal with their only defeat coming at the hands of Atalanta, the Italian Serie A side in the UEFA Europa League final. An invincible record for a club that has no prestige in the domestic league not to mention Europe shows an impressive record that will be sustained in the history books of football and that happened in 2024.

Honorable Mentions

Regardless of the impressive records that were set by players, clubs, and national teams, some however in 2024 prove to be on the negative side. While others were making and building status, some decided to go the other route in ruining legacies. Nonetheless, still, setting and making records that will not be forgotten easily in football?

Chelsea’s Disciplinary Record: Chelsea set a dubious and awful record by accumulating 96 cards both red and yellow beginning from the 2023/24 campaign, highlighting the aggressive tactics employed by former manager Mauricio Pochetino as well as Enzo Maresca.

Jack Grealish’s Goal Drought: Jack Grealish set an unusual record by failing to score in 45 consecutive matches, raising questions and criticism from football enthusiasts about his effectiveness in Manchester City’s attacking setup.

Conclusion

The records set in 2024 emphasize the evoluton that football is making and the incredible feats that its most talented players can achieve. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s 900+ goals to Spain’s Euro triumph and Haaland’s goal-scoring exploits, these milestones reflect individual brilliance and the collective power of teams and nations. As the year draws to a close, football fans are left in awe of what has been achieved and eagerly anticipate what the beautiful game has in store for 2025.

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