Soccer Year-End Review | Ronaldo's heroics, Messi's heartbreak, Leicester's fairy tale and more

MAJOR GLOBAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE WINNERS

Juventus win fifth consecutive Serie A title Juventus clinched the 2015-16 Serie A title following Napoli’s 1-0 loss against AS Roma, winning their fifth consecutive Italian title. The Old Lady overcame early-season adversity and the departures of several key figures to put together one of the best runs in club history, locking up the title with weeks to spare. Underdogs Leicester City clinch maiden English Premier League The biggest story of the football year had to be Leicester City’s shock triumph in the Premier League. The 5000-1 outsiders upsetting the existing order to not just win the title, but win it by a massive 10-point gap, thumbing their noses at the elite of the English game as they went.

MAJOR GLOBAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE WINNERS

FC Bayern Munchen wins record fourth straight Bundesliga title in a row FC Bayern Munchen were at it again in 2016, as Pep Guardiola’s men steamrollered all opposition in the Bundesliga to wrap up a record fourth-straight title by 10 points over second-placed Dortmund and an incredible 28 points over third-placed Leverkusen. Barcelona claims 24th La Liga title Barcelona claimed its 24th La Liga title thanks to a 3-0 win over Granada at Los Carmenes. The Catalans have won six of the last eight leagues, with Real Madrid in 2011-12 and Atletico Madrid in 2013-14 being the only teams to break their vice-like grip on the trophy. Paris Saint-Germain claim hat-trick of Ligue 1 title Paris Saint-Germain secured their third Ligue 1 title in as many years with a 2-1 win over Montpellier at the Stade de la Mosson.

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTS

Chile edge past Argentina in penalty shoot-out to win Copa América for second successive time The match was contested by Argentina and Chile, making it a rematch of the 2015 final. Chile ultimately won on penalty kicks 4–2 after a 0–0 draw. Seemingly weighed down by the pressure, Messi failed to make his mark over 120 minutes in the final against Chile. But the worst was still to come: he subsequently missed from the spot in a gut-wrenching penalty shoot-out loss. Eder inspires Portugal to maiden Euro Cup title The substitute Éder won the European Championship for Portugal with a brilliant goal after Cristiano Ronaldo went off injured in the first half. Portugal, the team that finished third in their group, had found a way even on a night when their greatest footballer was taken off on a stretcher. In the end, Cristiano Ronaldo had his hands on the trophy even if it was not the way the ultimate showman had intended.

FOOTBALL AT RIO OLYMPICS

Rio Olympics Men’s Soccer Champion - Brazil Neymar scored the winning penalty as hosts Brazil beat Germany 5-4 on penalties in Rio to win their first men’s Olympic football gold medal. The game finished 1-1 after extra time, with Neymar’s first-half free-kick cancelled out by Max Meyer’s strike. Neither side could find a winner before the drama of the penalty shootout gave Brazil the gold. Rio Olympics Women’s Soccer Champion - Germany Germany won women’s Olympic football gold for the first time with a 2-1 victory over Sweden in the final in Rio. Dzsenifer Marozsan put Germany ahead at the Maracana with a curling finish, and Sweden’s Linda Sembrant gifted them a second by scoring an own goal after Marozsan’s free-kick hit a post.