Over the past twelve months, fans of the beautiful game have been treated to unquantifiable amounts of drama, excitement and thrills as we all savoured the world's most popular sport in every ramification.

As the 2024 calendar year gradually winds down, we go back and highlight the best moments we witnessed.

1. Bayer Leverkusen: Surely when the 2023/24 Bundesliga campaign commenced, most persons did not consider Bayer Leverkusen as one of the contenders for the league crown especially when you have the might of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

But come the month of May and it was an entirely different story as Leverkusen waltzed their way to an historic and a maiden German Bundesliga title. 

For a side founded in 1904 and mocked as "Neverkusen" simply because of failed attempts in the past in win Germany's biggest club prize, Xabi Alonso and his charges forever etched their names in German football folklore.

Leverkusen won the league unbeaten and also claimed the German Cup trophy (DFB Pokal) while also reaching the UEFA Europa League Final, where they fell to Italian outfit Atalanta.

The heroes for Leverkusen over the season were Florian Wirtz, Victor Boniface, Jonathan Tah, Patrick Shick and manager Xabi Alonso.

2. Atalanta: The Bergamo-based outfit has enjoyed a commendable run in recent years, especially under the tutelage of Gian Piero Gasperini.

Under Gasperini, Atalanta have featured regularly in continental football competitions whilst also churning out impressive displays in Serie A.

But May 2024 remains a month the club will always remember as they won their maiden competition of any kind in Europe and a first trophy in more than six decades, defeating German side Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League Final courtesy of a hat-trick by Ademola Lookman.

For a modest club with a budget that dwarfs the elite sides in Italy, Atalanta proved that with the right work ethic and hardwork, there is no limit to what can be achieved.

3. Real Madrid: Arguably the best team in world football, Los Blancos lived up to the billing as they picked up yet another major title - overcoming Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to win a record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League crown.

4. Spain: When Euro 2024 was about to kickstart, few expected La Furia Roja to stand tall in Berlin on the final day.

No doubt, they were one of the contenders but the likes of France and England were tipped to come away with the trophy.

Upon commencement of the competition, Spain under the management of Luis de la Fuentes eased to the Final where they defeated England 2-1 to become the most successful team in the history of the competition with four titles.

Even more impressive was that Spain won the title unbeaten and the tournament saw the emergence of teenage stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams who were instrumental for the Red Fury.

5. Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria: Both countries contested the Final of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in the Ivory Coast.

The run to the Final for both teams were nothing short of a miracle. Cote d'Ivoire were on the verge of being eliminated from the tournament in the group stages before results from other groups gave them a backdoor into the mix.

Les Elephants who fired their coach midway through the event, turned to assistant and ex player Emerse Fae who then steered the team to the Final where they came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 to lift a third AFCON crown.

Nigeria on the other hand, although a strong opposition in AFCON history, had to contend with fans loss of faith in both the team and the coaching crew. Just when no one thought the Super Eagles were equipped to mount a challenge, the Jose Peseiro led side fought their way to the Final, only coming up short to the host nation.