Hi all, welcome to All Football's On This Day! Let's find out what happened today (December 22nd) in football history. If you have more stories and news that happened on this day in history, please post them in the comment area and share them with AFers!
On This Day in 2012 - Messi Scored His 91st Goal in a Wonderful Year
On this day in 2012, Barcelona's star Messi scored his 91st and final goal of a record-breaking year, just in his 69th game. Lionel Messi polished off his record year with his 91st and final goal of 2012 in Barcelona’s 3-1 win at Valladolid.
Messi scored in the 59th minute by dribbling between a defender’s legs before making it 2-0 after Xavi Hernandez had opened the scoring two minutes before halftime, in a victory the team dedicated to ailing coach Tito Vilanova.
On This Day in 1998 & 2003 - Zidane & Nedved Won Ballon d'Or
On this day in 1998 and 2003, Zinedine Zidane and then Pavel Nedved joined the Juventus Ballon d’Or club
1998 was the year of the Zidane; a suave, footballing behemoth that rightfully claimed his place on football's greatest throne.
The 2003 Ballon d'Or, given to the best football player in Europe as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries, was awarded to the former Juventus' Czech midfielder Pavel Nedvěd on 22 December 2003. Great choice!
On This Day in 2007 - Bendtner Rises To the Occasion
On 22 December 2007, Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner set an English record by scoring only 1.8 seconds after coming on as a late substitute against Tottenham Hotspur.
His moment finally came in the North London derby, as Arsenal hosted Tottenham. With Bendtner on the bench, Arsenal took a 1-0 lead with a goal from EAdebayor (48'), but Berbatov (66') drew Spurs level.
With the match level at 1-1, Wenger made an attacking change, sending Bendtner on for midfielder Eboue. The Danish striker immediately positioned himself near the far post for a Fabregas corner kick, then charged into the goalmouth to head the ball past goalkeeper Robinson. It was Bendtner's first touch of the ball, coming only 1.8 seconds after he entered the match, and proved to be the game winner. It is also the fastest goal scored by a substitute in English football history.
On This Day in 2004 - Racism Rears Its Ugly Heads
On 22 December 2004, FIFA fined the Spanish Football Federation €60,000 as punishment for racist chants during a friendly between Spain and England at the Bernabéu Stadium the previous month.
The abuse consisted of monkey chants directed against England's black players, including defenders Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand, as well as substitutes Jermaine Jenas, Shaun Wright-Phillips (pictured), and Jermain Defoe. While such chants have a regrettably long history in football, the chants at the Bernabéu were notable for the pervasive participation of the crowd--according to one spectator, 80% of the crowd were chanting.
The event came on the heels of an earlier incident in September, when Spain manager Luis Aragonés had been overheard calling Thierry Henry a "black shit" when trying to motivate Henry's Arsenal teammate, Spanish international José Antonio Reyes.
The incident drew wide condemnation from authorities and commentators in several countries, including Spain itself. Afterward, the Spanish Football Federation began work on an anti-racism campaign.
KingDave10
209
please SAY NO TO RACISM
manieminem10
120
If you want to win, stop listening to people who pull you down. When people can’t do things themselves, they will tell you “it’s risky” or “it’s difficult”. If you want something, go get it. All are talking rubbish about the GOAT Lionel and he's ignoring them like street dogs and sending messages to his haters from his amazing performances. The Best ever who touched the football in history.
kartik1000
85
That wonderful year will never come in history of football. A man scored 91 goals in an season that is unbelievable. His the shirt no was 10 and his name was Lionel Messi. In cricket and football in both games no 10 is legendary. As in cricket it goes to Sachin and in football it goes to Messi. Both are God of their games. #legend
Longlife2000
81
On this day in 2012, Leo Messi scored his 91st and final goal of a record-breaking year—in his 69th game. Ninety-one. 😱
Jattfanmessida
79
G.O.AT. Messi set a Standard for next G.O.A.T. 92 goals in European 5 top flights and country....2018 Ballon Odor winner couldn't surpass Messi's one year goals in his whole career...Luca Modric 78 goals at senior level...
iszytexsamuel
71
They says the Goat 🐐. But whatever 😏 , He is also + The Record breaker + The Five ✋ times Ball'0r winner + The world 🌏 best player + One ☝️ of the people world who has Scored 91st goal in a ur. Don't forget the goat 🐐
mighty96red
60
we all bleed the same colour. keep calm and say no to racism.
Shahzad10Faiz
57
dnshaheer
57
1. Lionel Messi's first football club, when he was just five years old, was Grandoli, coached by his father Jorge. 2. In 2004, Messi was asked to play for the Spanish under-20 team, having lived in the country since he was 13 years old. Messi turned down the offer and instead turned up for his side a year later and won them the FIFA Youth Championship. 3. Messi in 2007 established the Leo Messi Foundation which supports children and is a charity supporting access to education and health care for vulnerable children. 4. Messi has a signature goal celebration - pointing fingers towards the sky with raised arms. The gesture is to pay tribute and thank his Grandma 5.Lionel Messi married his childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo, where they first met more than 20 years ago in their hometown of Rosario. When you talk about Humble, Loyalty, Patience and talent, i talk about Messi... LEGEND FOR A REASON. Do you agree??