Advertisement

Top 5 soccer stories of 2012

No. 3
3. The great Lionel Messi — 2012 could be the year that is eventually pointed to as a turning point in Messi going from a great player to the greatest player. Not so much for breaking Gerd Muller's previously unknown 40-year-old record of 85 goals in a calendar year or even for being a heavy favorite to win a record fourth straight Ballon d'Or. More for finally starting to shut down the one complaint his critics and countrymen had of him: Messi scored 12 goals in nine appearances for Argentina, by far his most productive year at the international level, to lead his country to the top of the (Brazil exempt) CONMEBOL 2014 World Cup qualifying table. He's already accomplished more than most footballers could ever dream, yet in many ways he's only just begun. (Getty Images)

Beyond the wins and losses, the improbable comebacks, fantastic goals and dragged-out transfer sagas, 2012 proved to be a year in which harsher realities pulled world soccer out of its cocoon of sport. Incidents of racism and homophobia and even of life and death received increased scrutiny and concern throughout the year. And as fan culture remains intense and divisive, this reminder of perspective should be seen as a positive and a harbinger of growth. Of course, there was also a lot of entertaining and record-breaking football, as well. These are the five top stories of 2012. — By Brooks Peck


TOP STORIES: Boxing | Golf | MLB | NASCAR | NBA | NCAAB | NCAAF | NFL | NHL | Olympics | UFC