Sportz Point Awards 2022 | All the winners

After a remarkable sporting year in 2022, Sportz Point present you with all the winners of the Sportz Point Awards 2022.

Staff Reporter

Dec 30, 2022, 9:01 AM

2022 has seen everything. From Commonwealth Games to FIFA World Cup, the year had it all. India's 61 medals in the Birmingham Games brought happiness to millions of Indian fans while the loss in T20 World Cup saw them share sadness as well. However, it was one of the happiest years for you if you were a Lionel Messi fan who won the only trophy he had not won in his career. Post a remarkable sporting year, Sportz Point present you all the winners of Sportz Point Awards 2022.

Read Also: Most FIFA World Cup goals among active players

List of winners | Sportz Point Awards 2022

Emerging cricketer of the year (Male) | Arshdeep Singh (India)

Emerging Cricketer of the year (Female) | Renuka Singh Thakur (India)

Global Cricketer of the year (Male) | Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Global Cricketer of the year (Female) | Alyssa Healy (Australia)

Global Footballer of the year (Male) | Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Global Footballer of the year (Female) | Beth Mead (England)

Global Athlete of the year (Male) | Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Global Athlete of the year (Female) | Katie Ledecky (USA)

Read Also: Most medals in Commowealth Games by Indian Athletes

Indian Athlete of the year (Male) – Chirag Shetty & Satwiksairaj Rankireddy

Indian Athlete of the year (Female) – Nikhat Zareen

Emerging athlete of the year – Tressa Jolly

Indian Para Athlete of the year – Bhavina Patel

Indian Team of the year – Lawn bowl women's fours

Match of the year – India vs Denmark, Thomas Cup 2022 semi-final

Indian Sports personality of the year – Sharath Kamal

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IPL 2025 Auction: Top 10 Most Expensive players of the auction

From Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer, here are the top 10 expensive players of the IPL 2025 auction. Rishabh Pant was the most expensive player ever in an auction.

Koushik Biswas

Nov 25, 2024, 10:05 PM

IPL 2025 Auction: Top 10 Most Expensive players of the auction

After two days of exciting show auction in Jeddah, the ten Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises were able to pick their squad for the IPL 2025. Rishabh Pant came out as the most expensive player in IPL auction's history with a humongous INR 27 cr bid from Lucknow Super Giants while Shreyas Iyer was the first player ever to get a 25 cr plus deal in an IPL auction.

LSG bidding for Rishabh Pant during the IPL 2025 auction - sportzpoint.com
LSG bidding for Rishabh Pant during the IPL 2025 auction. Image | BCCI

Shreyas Iyer, the IPL 2024 winning captain received a 26.75 cr bid from Punjab Kings, who had released most of their players during the retention and wanted a captain in their squad. Along with him, Punjab Kings with the highest money in the purse before the auction, were responsible for three of the top 10 most expensive bids. They first brought back their fast bowler Arshdeep Singh for INR 18 cr and after Shreyas Iyer's bid, they made Yuzvendra Chahal the most expensive spinner in IPL history.

Chahal, who everyone thought could go back to RCB, was eventually bought by Punjab Kings for a whooping INR 18 cr, which was the fourth-highest bid of the auction. Meantime, the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders surprised everyone after buying back Venkatesh Iyer for INR 23 cr. They nearly fought a bidding war with Royal Challengers Bangalore to bring him back to Eden Gardens.

Jos Buttler was another marquee player, who was supposed to be big in the auction and he was Gujarat Titan's highest bid of the season at INR 15.75 cr. KL Rahul, went to Delhi Capitals for INR 14 cr, which everyone thought was another case of RCB not going all-out for a player. 

Trent Boult reunited with Jasprit Bumrah at Mumbai Indians, after the five-time champions decided to spend most of their money on retaining their core group of players. The Kiwi pacer was sold for INR 12.5 cr. Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood also attracted the same amount of money from RCB, who were looking for a good fast bowler, after they let Mohammed Siraj go in the retention and auction as well. 

Top 10 most expensive players in IPL 2025 auction

Sr. No. Team Player Base Price Winning Bid
1 LSG Rishabh Pant ₹2,00,00,000 ₹27,00,00,000
2 PBKS Shreyas Iyer ₹2,00,00,000 ₹26,75,00,000
3 KKR Venkatesh Iyer ₹2,00,00,000 ₹23,75,00,000
4 PBKS Arshdeep Singh ₹2,00,00,000 ₹18,00,00,000
5 PBKS Yuzvendra Chahal ₹2,00,00,000 ₹18,00,00,000
6 GT Jos Buttler ₹2,00,00,000 ₹15,75,00,000
7 DC KL Rahul ₹2,00,00,000 ₹14,00,00,000
8 MI Trent Boult  ₹2,00,00,000 ₹12,50,00,000
9 RR Jofra Archer  ₹2,00,00,000 ₹12,50,00,000
10 RCB Josh Hazlewood  ₹2,00,00,000 ₹12,50,00,000
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The most shocking goal misses in Football history

From legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the new superstars of football, there have been many distressing goal misses that remain iconic and unforgettable. Sportzpoint explores the most shocking goal misses in Football history.

The most shocking goal misses in Football history

Football is a sport full of drama, distress, excitement, and unforgettable moments that are cherished from generation to generation. Goals are the highlighting factor that decides the fate of a team and that is why the near-misses leave the fans in agony and sometimes change the course of football's history.

These fumbles in front of the goal are surprising and unexpected at the same moment. In this article, we delve into the most shocking misses in football history.

Erling Haaland 

(Manchester City vs Liverpool, 2022 FA Community Shield Final)

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com

The Norwegian goal-machine emerged as an absolute cheat-code for Manchester City since his move to Man City in 2022. However, he came to England as and promising youngster but faced criticism from fans after his open goal miss in his very first match for Manchester City in the FA Community Shield Final on 30 July 2022 against Liverpool.

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com

Phil Foden unleashed a left-footed strike in the seventh minute of injury time and it was denied by Liverpool keeper Adrian, but Erling Haaland wasted an open chance to score from the second ball as he hit the crossbar from a close range to the goal. Liverpool won the game by 3-1.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

(PSG vs Strasbourg, Ligue 1 2018-19)

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com
(Image Credit | Squawka Live)

The Cameroonian International featured for teams such as Bayern Munich and Paris-Saint Germain, and he was a part of the PSG squad who were runner-ups in the UCL 2019-20. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting also scored the winner in injury time against Atalanta in the quarter-final of the same UCL campaign.

However, Choupo-Moting got down in history for a bizarre instance in a 2-2 draw against Strasbourg in Ligue 1 during his first season with the French side. Christopher Nkunku successfully chipped the opponent keeper with a shot that was about to go in, but Choupo-Moting somehow stopped the shot on the line in an attempt to tap it in, but his intervention led the threat to get cleared. 

Neal Maupay

(Brentford vs Cardiff City, EFL Championship 2017-18)

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com
(Image Credit | Wales Online)

Neal Maupay, the French forward who spent most of his career in England, joined Brentford in 2017 and went on to be a headline for his incredible open-goal miss against Cardiff City in the 2017-18 EFL Championship. 

The golden opportunity emerged as Ollie Watkins won the possession in front of the box by beating Sean Morrison in a duel and he fooled the keeper to pass it to Maupay, who only had an open goal in front of him.

However, Maupay took some time to slot it home as defender Sol Bamba ran onto the goal-line to stop the shot. Surprisingly, Maupay did not let Bamba do anything as he fired it inches off the post. Brentford eventually lost the game by 0-2.

Cristiano Ronaldo

(Manchester United vs Sheffield United, Premier League 2006-07)

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com
(Image Credit | Sheffield Star)

Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the greatest footballer ever, also finds himself on this unfortunate list. The dreaded Portuguese netted the most goals in football history, although his unbelievable miss came in his early days at Old Trafford. Ronaldo wasted this open-scoring chance during a Premier League game against Sheffield United in 2006.

A sublime backheel by Wayne Rooney opened a space in front of the box for the Red Devils as Ryan Giggs intercepted the pass before cutting a grounder through Sheffield's defence. The ball comfortably found Cristiano Ronaldo but his strike flew over the crossbar from a very close distance to the goal.

Lionel Messi 

(Argentina vs Trinidad and Tobago, Friendly, 2014)

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com

Lionel Messi, the other footballer who is arguably considered the greatest footballer of all-time, has also entered this fateful list due to his unbelievable blunder for Argentina against Trinidad and Tobago on 4 June 2014, prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. 

Angel Di Maria fired into the opponent box and released a comfortable pass before the ball could cross the goal-line, but Messi failed to respond quickly as the defender cleared the ball from in front of an open goal before even Messi could intercept.

Randal Kolo Muani

(France vs Argentina, 2022 FIFA World Cup Final)

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com

This wasted scoring opportunity changed Argentina's football history as Argentina lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup by beating France in penalties, following an unnerving 3-3 draw after extra time. 

The 120-minute Final showcased a brilliant display of football ending in a 3-3 draw between France and Argentina, before going down to penalties to decide the world champion. However, France could have snatched the World Cup if Randal Kolo Muani was not denied by Emiliano Martinez in the last minute of the game.

A lobbed pass was intercepted by Kolo Muani in front of Argentina's box as Nicolas Otamendi failed to intercept, but Kolo Muani's first-touch attempt was denied by Argentina keeper Emiliano Martine who stretched his leg to stop the shot. Only 47 seconds were left before the final whistle! This miss will remain iconic for the heroic save by Emi rather than the blunder by Kolo Muani.

Fernando Torres 

(Chelsea vs Manchester United, Premier League 2011-12)

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com
(Image Credit | Footy Accumulators)

Fernando Torres was arguably the top striker in the world in and around 2007 to 2010. Chelsea broke the British transfer record to acquire the Spaniard from Liverpool in January 2011. Somehow, 'El Nino' failed to replicate his Liverpool performance at Stamford Bridge, and his disappointing tenure with the Blues was highlighted by a moment during a match against Manchester United in September 2011.

Torres already scored the only goal for his team but Chelsea was behind 3-1. In the 83rd minute, Ramires played a beautiful through that cut the United defense open in half. Torres intercepted the ball and managed to ease past David de Gea with a skillful feint, having an open goal in front of him.

However, Torres surprisingly shot the ball wide of the post and missed the golden chance which went down as one of the worst misses in the Premier League history.

Yakubu Ayegbeni

(Nigeria vs South Korea, FIFA World Cup 2010)

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com
(Image Credit | Afrosport)

Nigeria faced South Korea in a do-or-die match after two consecutive defeats in the Group stage of FIFA World Cup 2010, and Yakubu Ayegbeni crashed the headlines but not quite for the right reasons.

Midfielder Yusuf Ayila delivered a ball right into the six-yard box where Ayegbeni received the pass, but he missed the absolute sitter from inches close to the goal. The match eventually ended in a 2-2 draw and Nigeria finished at the bottom of the group.

Ilija Sivonjic

(Dinamo Zagreb vs Cibalia Vinkovci, HNK 2006)

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com
(Image Credit | Vecernji)

Croatian footballer Ilija Sivonjic's open miss in 2006 for Dinamo Zagreb against Cibalia is widely considered one of the worst misses in football history. 

In the 33rd minute of the game, one of his Dinamo teammates slotted the ball on target. Although it went past the opposition keeper, it was stopped by Sivonjic who attempted a backheel to tap it in. The ball inexplicably bounced off the goal line and one of the Cibalia defenders sent it out of play. 

Ronny Rosenthal

(Liverpool vs Aston Villa, 1996)

The most shocking goal misses in Football history-sportzpoint.com
(Image credit | Birmingham Live)

Ronny Rosenthal started his Liverpool career very well, scoring 7 goals in his first 8 games. He even scored a hat-trick in his first game against Charlton. However, he couldn't keep up this great form later.

In 1992 during Pool's PL encounter against Aston Villa, Rosenthal wasted a golden opportunity to score. Rosenthal intercepted a long ball from David James and dribbled past the goalkeeper, but misfired his left-footed strike to hit the crossbar. This miss is still remembered as one of the worst misses in Premier League history.

Rosenthal later joked about this famous miss and said:

"Does it bother me? No it doesn't matter now. I'm glad it happened!

"I'm glad I missed because I'm still on the map [because of it]."

via Birmingham Live

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Players with the Most Hat-tricks in International football (Male and Female)

Many players have made their mark on the national team by scoring remarkable goals that have helped their countries succeed. In this article, Sportz Point discusses the players with the most hat trick goals in International football.

Muojindu Francis

Nov 8, 2024, 4:11 PM

USA's Alex Morgan in action for her country

Various international women's football players have cemented themselves in history books by achieving remarkable records. At the forefront is Canada's Christine Sinclair, an iconic figure in women's football

This collection of players and their impressive accomplishments underscore the development of women's football and the extraordinary talent that has emerged within the sport over the years. Let’s take a closer look at these stellar performers

Read Also: Real Madrid's Top 5 most expensive signings of all time

Babra Bander: Zambia- 7 

Babra Banda of Zambia at the Olympics- Sportz Point.com

From the streets of Lusaka to the global stage, Barbra Banda’s journey is a testament to determination and raw talent. Born in Zambia’s capital, Banda started playing football at the tender age of seven. But her early sporting prowess wasn’t confined to just football.

Inspired by renowned Zambian boxer Catherine Phiri, Banda also dabbled in boxing at 14, quickly making a name for herself. She dominated the amateur scene, and after winning every bout and seeing other fighters hesitant to face her, Banda turned professional, where she won all five of her matches. However, football eventually took center stage in her life.

In October 2018, Banda signed with Spain's first division club, EDF Logroño, becoming the first Zambian woman to play football in Europe. Her career continued to soar when, in March 2024, she joined the Orlando Pride in the United States, signing a four-year contract that would keep her with the club until 2027.

Her impact on the international stage began early. Banda played for Zambia’s U-17 women’s team at the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, turning 14 during the tournament. Two years later, on March 6, 2016, she made her senior team debut in a Women’s Nations Cup qualifier against Namibia.

The peak of her career came at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Banda captained the Zambian national team as they made their debut appearance at the prestigious tournament. She became the first woman to score consecutive hat-tricks in Olympic history, netting three goals in a 3-10 loss to the Netherlands, she scored another three in a 4-4 draw against China. These performances also made her the first woman to score two hat-tricks in a single Olympic tournament.

Read Also: I didn't set a date or a deadline": Lionel Messi hints at retirement after hat-trick against BoliviaFIFA World Cup 2026: Teams qualified so far

Michelle Akers: United States of America- 7

The name Michelle Akers is synonymous with U.S. women’s soccer dominance. With seven career hat-tricks, Akers helped the U.S. win the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup, leading the tournament with 10 goals, including five in a single game.

Her leading the team was crucial to the U.S. women's team securing its first-ever world title, and she later played a vital role in the 1999 World Cup and 1996 Olympics victories. 

Akers was also the lead scorer in the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in China in 1991. The U.S. women's team defeated Norway 2–1 in the final with Akers scoring both goals.

Ali Al-Biski: Libya - 7

Ali Al-Biski, a former Libyan footballer, played as a striker and holds the record as Libya's all-time top scorer despite the nation’s limited participation in FIFA events during his time. He led the Libyan Premier League in scoring twice—first in 1965 with Al-Madina SC, and again in 1968 with Al Ahli Tripoli. He recorded seven hat-tricks for the national team.

Pelé: Brazil - 7

Pele has scored 757 goals in his footballing career

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, famously known as Pelé, was a Brazilian forward and a football icon, widely hailed as one of the greatest players in history. With a Guinness World Record for 1,279 goals in 1,363 games (including friendlies), Pelé was named Athlete of the Century by the IOC in 1999 and featured in Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of the 20th century. He debuted for Santos at 15 and for Brazil at 16, winning three World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970) and scoring seven hat-tricks for Brazil.

Sándor Kocsis: Hungary - 7

Sándor Kocsis, a Hungarian striker, played for Ferencvárosi TC, Budapest Honvéd, Young Fellows Zürich, and FC Barcelona. After relocating to Spain post-1956 Hungarian Revolution, Kocsis joined Barcelona’s squad. He led the 1954 World Cup with a record 11 goals, scoring 23 times for Hungary that year—a single-year record. Kocsis was also the first player to achieve two hat-tricks in a World Cup.

Cristiane: Brazil- 8

Cristian of Brazil in one of her numerous appearances for the country- Sportz Point.com

Brazilian forward Cristiane stands alongside the greats, boasting eight hat-tricks throughout her career. A prolific goal scorer, she played a key role in Brazil's silver medal triumphs at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. Cristiane has participated in five FIFA Women’s World Cups and four Olympics, with her most recent hat-trick coming in Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Jamaica at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ali Daei: Iran - 8

Ali dael  in his country's international colors- Sportz Point.com

Iranian striker and former national team captain, Ali Daei, was renowned as the world’s top scorer in official internationals per the IFFHS, netting 20 goals in 1996. During the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, he scored nine goals over 17 matches, amassing 38 goals in 52 appearances by that time. In 2004, he became the first male to score 100 international goals, reaching 102 with a four-goal game against Laos.

Gerd Müller: Germany - 8

Gerd Muller - UEFA Euro 1976 Top Scorer - sportzpoint.com

Gerd Müller, a prolific German striker known for his precision in the penalty area, is considered one of football’s top scorers. With West Germany, he scored 68 goals in 62 games. For Bayern Munich, he scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga matches and 65 goals in 74 European games, holding a league scoring record. Müller’s eight hat-tricks include two in the 1970 World Cup.

Poul Nielsen: Denmark - 8

Danish striker Poul Nielsen scored 52 goals in 38 games, sharing Denmark’s top-scoring record. He earned a silver medal at the 1912 Olympics and led Kjøbenhavns Boldklub (KB) to six Danish championships. Scoring eight hat-tricks in international play, Nielsen was an iconic figure for Denmark until his death in 1962.

Abby Wambach: United States of America- 8

American soccer Legend Abby doing an overhead kick- Sportz Point.com

Mary Abigail Wambach, born on June 2, 1980, is a retired American soccer player, coach, and National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee. A six-time recipient of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award, Wambach was a key player for the U.S. women’s national team from 2003 to 2015.

She earned her first international cap in 2001 and, as a forward, became the highest all-time goal scorer for the U.S. national team. Globally, she ranks second in international goals for both men and women with 184 goals, trailing only Canada's Christine Sinclair.

Wambach competed in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: the 2003 edition in the U.S., the 2007 event in China, the 2011 tournament in Germany, and the 2015 competition in Canada. She also represented the U.S. in the 2004 Athens and 2012 London Olympics.

Throughout these five major international tournaments, Wambach played 30 matches and netted 22 goals. She helped her team secure two Olympic gold medals, third-place finishes twice at the Women's World Cup, a second-place finish in 2011, and ultimately, a World Cup victory in 2015.

Read Also: FIFA World Cup 2026: Teams qualified so far

Carli Lloyd: United States of America- 9

Retired female football veteran Carli holding a world cup trophy- Sportz Point.com

Carli Lloyd is another legend of international football, having represented the U.S. from 2012 to 2021. Over her remarkable career, she earned two Olympic gold medals (in 2008 and 2012) and won two FIFA Women's World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. In addition, she was named FIFA Player of the Year twice, in 2015 and 2016, and competed in four Olympic Games (2008, 2012, 2016, and 2021).

Lloyd’s capacity for rising to the occasion was evident when she scored the decisive goals in the gold medal matches of both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. She was also instrumental in the U.S. clinching World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, she also secured a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics. She played in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the US finished as runners-up.

Ali Mabkhout: UAE - 9

Ali Makhbout- Sportz Point.com

Ali Mabkhout, a forward for Al Nasr and the UAE national team, debuted with Al Jazira in 2009. A pivotal figure in UAE’s 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal win over Australia, he became UAE’s top scorer on October 10, 2019, with a hat-trick against Indonesia in a 5-0 victory.

Sven Rydell: Sweden- 9

Swedish striker Sven Rydell scored 49 goals in 43 matches, a record that stood for over 80 years until broken by Zlatan Ibrahimović in 2014. Rydell’s international career included a bronze medal at the 1924 Olympics, and he holds the Swedish record of nine international hat-tricks.

Vivian Woodward: England - 10

Vivian Woodward, an English forward, starred from the early 1900s to World War I, playing for Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. As Great Britain’s captain, he won gold at the 1908 and 1912 Olympics, recording six hat-tricks for England amateurs and four for England’s national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal- 10

Europe's Top International Goalscorers: Cristiano Ronaldo extends his lead-sportzpoint.com

At the age of 18, Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal as a substitute against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003. At UEFA Euro 2004, he scored his first international goal in a 2–1 group stage loss to Greece in his eighth international appearance.

In 2016, Ronaldo led Portugal to their first-ever trophy at the UEFA Euro 2016, although he was subbed off in the 25th minute in the final against hosts France.He received the Silver Boot as the second-highest goalscorer.

In the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, in a 3–3 draw against Spain Cristiano Ronaldo became the first male player to score 10 hat-tricks for a national team on 12 October 2021 in Portugal's 5–0 win against Luxembourg, breaking Sven Rydell's record.

Lionel Messi:Argentina -10

Lionel Messi hints at retirement after hat-trick against Bolivia-sportzpoint.com

Lionel Messi debuted for Argentina’s U20 team in 2004 and won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. His senior debut came in 2005 at 18. In 2021, he ended Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought with a Copa América win. On October 15, 2024, Messi scored his 10th international hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Bolivia.

Christine Sinclair: Canada- 11

Former Canadian soccer captain Sinclaire celebrating a goal- Sportz Point.com

Christine Margaret Sinclair is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). From 2000 until her international retirement in 2023, she was a key member of the Canadian national team. 

Sinclair is an Olympic gold medalist, two-time Olympic bronze medalist, CONCACAF champion, and has won the Canada Soccer Player of the Year award 14 times. She holds the world record for the most international goals scored by any player, male or female, with 190 goals and is among the most-capped players in international soccer, with 331 appearances.

In a career spanning more than two decades with the senior national team, Sinclair has competed in six FIFA Women's World Cups and four Olympic Football Tournaments, leading her team to bronze medals in 2012 and 2016, and to gold in 2020.

She is one of only three players to score in five different World Cup tournaments, alongside Marta and Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2022, Sinclair was honored with the Best FIFA Special Award for her achievement as the world’s top goal scorer.

Notably, Sinclair scored her eleventh international hat-trick during a 2012 Olympic match against the United States, netting all three of Canada’s goals in a 3–4 loss.

Read Also: Most valuable Spanish players in history: Yamal goes past Rodri

Alex Morgan: United States of America- 12 

Alex Morgan of the USWNT during a match- Sportz Point.com

Alexandra Patricia Morgan, born on July 2, 1989, is a retired American professional soccer player who last played as a striker for San Diego Wave FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), where she served as captain, as well as for the United States national team. She co-captained the U.S. national team with Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe from 2018 to 2020, and later with Lindsay Horan in 2023.

Morgan was the first overall pick in the 2011 WPS Draft by the Western New York Flash, where she made her professional debut and contributed to the team's league championship win. At 22, she was the youngest player on the U.S. national team at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the team finished as runner-up.

During the 2012 London Olympics, Morgan scored the decisive goal in the 123rd minute of the semi-final against Canada. She ended 2012 with 28 goals and 21 assists, becoming the second American woman, after Mia Hamm, to record 20 goals and 20 assists in a single year. This achievement made her the sixth and youngest U.S. player to reach 20 goals in one season. Morgan was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year and became a FIFA World Player of the Year finalist.

She played a crucial role in the U.S. team's victories at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups, earning a spot on the Dream Team in both tournaments and winning the Silver Boot in 2019. Morgan recorded her eleventh international hat-trick with five goals on 11 June 2019 in the United States 13–0 victory over Thailand in the 2019 World

Her record-breaking twelfth international hat-trick came in 2021 against Paraguay in a game where the United States dominated and won 8-0

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24 medals for India at Japan Para Badminton International 2024

India concluded their campaign at the Japan Para Badminton International 2024 in Tokyo, with 24 medals, including six gold, nine silver, and nine bronze.

Ritwika Nag

Oct 27, 2024, 10:09 AM

visual representation of India's 24 medals at the Japan Para Badminton International 2024, including six gold, nine silver, and nine bronze medals.

When the exclusion of badminton from the 2026 Commonwealth Games feels like unhealed pain for Indian badminton fans, the shuttles shine at the Japan Para Badminton International 2024 in Tokyo. India concluded their campaign with 24 medals, including six gold, nine silver, and nine bronze.

Sivarajan Solaimalai defeated Chun Yim Wong of Hong Kong in straight games (21-16, 21-16), thus winning the gold medal in the men's single SH6 category.

Manisha Ramadass clinched the gold medal by defeating Japan's Mamiko Toyoda by 21-12, 21-18 in the SU5 women's singles category.

Sukant Kadam, however, defeated his contemporary Indian Tarun Dhillon by 21-12, 21-10 to win the gold in the SL4 Men's Singles Category.

Naveen Sivakumar and Surya Kant won the bronze medals.

Read Also: Commonwealth Games 2026: A trailer for permanent shutdown?

Upset For Paralympic Champion Nitesh Kumar at the Japan Para Badminton International 2024

Nitesh Kumar-sportzpoint.com

Japan's Fujihara Daisuke defeated Nitesh Kumar in a thrilling three-game contest in the final, with Kumar winning just one in the middle. The scoreboard says 16-21, 21-18, 19-21. Nitesh had to settle for silver

Hardik Makkar too received a silver medal after being defeated by Japan's Taio by 5-21, 19-21 in the SU5 Men's single final. Ruthik Raghupati won a bronze medal in this category.

The other silver came after Coraline Bergeron of France defeated Neeraj in the women's singles SL3 category final.

Read Also: BAI to give Rs 50 lakh cash rewards to Paris Paralympics 2024 medalists

Gold haul counts three

Hardik who failed in the SU5 Men's single, partnered with Ruthik and won gold by defeating the Indo-Polish duo Dev Rathi and Bartlomiej Mroz. 

Umesh Vikram Kumar and Surya Kant Yadav won the gold medal in the SL3-SL4 men's double category by defeating their fellow Indians Sukant Kadam and Dinesh Rajaiah 21-5, 20-22, 21-16.

In the D SH6 category, Sudarsan Saravanakumar Mutusamy and Sivarajan Solaimalai won the gold medal.

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Top 10 La Masia Graduates who ruled football

Becoming a top football player often starts during the teenage years, and few clubs rival Barcelona in nurturing young talent. With a legacy stretching back decades, La Masia remains a leading academy. Sportz Point highlights its top 10 players.

Muojindu Francis

Oct 26, 2024, 3:15 PM

Top 10 La Masia Graduates who ruled football

La Masia, FC Barcelona’s iconic youth academy, has produced some of football’s most legendary players and set the standard for talent development worldwide. Producing technically brilliant midfielders and unbelievable attackers. Here, we dive into the top 10 players who rose from Barcelona’s famed academy to rule the football world.

Read Also| LaLiga 2024-25 | Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona | El Clasico Preview, Head-to-head Stats, Possible Line-ups, and Where to watch 

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi Stats: Goals in every calendar year by Messi-sportzpoint.com

Undoubtedly the greatest talent to emerge from Barcelona's youth academy and arguably the best to ever represent the club, Messi joined the La Liga giants in 2001 from Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys, where he had trained since he was six.

Recognizing his extraordinary potential, Barcelona committed to covering his medical treatment after he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. At 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi made his first-team debut on 16 November 2003, entering the field in the 75th minute of a friendly match against José Mourinho's Porto.

His performance, which included creating two scoring opportunities and a shot on target, impressed the technical staff. Following this, he started training daily with Barcelona’s reserve team, Barcelona B and joined the first team for weekly sessions.

From 2008 to 2021, Messi achieved unprecedented success at Barcelona. He led the club to numerous titles, including 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles, and 4 UEFA Champions League trophies.

His influence on the field was transformative, as he could play across various attacking positions, adapt to different tactical setups, and still deliver fantastic performances. Messi’s goal-scoring record during this time was astonishing; he became Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing legendary figures like César Rodríguez.

One of his most memorable achievements was scoring 91 goals in the 2012 calendar year, breaking the previous record set by Gerd Müller. Messi became the captain of Barcelona in 2018 and remained so till 2021.

Over his 18-year career with Barcelona’s senior team, he made 768 appearances the most in the club's history became their top goal scorer, and earned 7 Ballon d'Or awards.

Xavi Hernandez

Players with most assists in football history - Xavi | sportzpoint.com

Xavi celebrated as the greatest playmaker of his generation and a symbol of Barcelona’s tiki-taka passing style, joined La Masia at age 10. While initially inspired by Barcelona playmaker Pep Guardiola, he also grew up watching English football. Xavi made his La Liga debut on 3 October 1998 in Barcelona’s 3–1 victory over Valencia.

Starting with a mix of reserve and senior team appearances, his consistent performance soon earned him a spot as a key player in Louis van Gaal’s title-winning squad, ending his debut season with 26 appearances and the 1999 La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year award.

Xavi assumed the role of Barcelona’s primary playmaker after Guardiola was injured in the 1999–2000 season. He was appointed vice-captain of Barcelona in the 2004–05 season, during which he played a crucial role in helping the team secure both La Liga and the 2004 Supercopa de España titles.

His influence on the field continued to grow, and by the 2008–09 season, Xavi was a central figure in Barcelona’s Champions League success. His exceptional playmaking in the 2009 Champions League Final, where Barcelona defeated Manchester United 2–0, earned him the title of "UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder" for his contributions.

Xavi’s influence extended to La Liga, where he was the top assist provider with 20 assists during the season. His excellence placed him among the top three contenders for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or, where he ultimately finished third, trailing only his Barcelona teammates, Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta.

After club captain Carles Puyol retired, Xavi was appointed as Barcelona's new captain, cementing his legacy within the team. On April 25, 2015, Xavi achieved a historic milestone by making his 500th La Liga appearance, becoming the eighth player in history to reach this number. 

His illustrious Barcelona career concluded on June 6, 2015, during the Champions League Final against Juventus, where he entered as a substitute for Andrés Iniesta in the 78th minute. This marked his 767th and final appearance for the club, as Barcelona went on to secure their fifth European Cup.

After coaching in the Middle East, Xavi returned to the Nou Camp in November 2021 as Barcelona’s manager. In his stint as Manager, he helped the club to win the 2022/2023 La Liga title joining the League of Players to win a league title as a player and a coach.

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Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta: Players with most trophies in Football history | Sportz Point

At age 12, Andrés Iniesta was playing for Albacete Balompié in a junior seven-a-side tournament when he caught the attention of scouts from clubs across Spain. His family had connections with Barcelona’s youth team coach, Enrique Orizaola, who persuaded them to consider sending Iniesta to La Masia, Barcelona’s renowned youth academy. 

A visit to La Masia with his parents convinced them to enroll Iniesta in the academy, setting him on a path toward the club’s first team. Iniesta joined Barcelona’s senior squad during Radomir Antić’s tenure as head coach. He made his debut on October 29, 2002, in a 1–0 away victory over Club Brugge during the UEFA Champions League group stage. 

In the 2004–05 season, Iniesta played in 37 out of 38 league matches—more than any other Barcelona player that season—although 25 of those appearances were as a substitute. He scored twice, helping Barcelona clinch the La Liga title.

When Xavi was sidelined with an injury at the start of the 2005–06 season, Iniesta found himself in a more regular starting role in midfield, where he continued to improve and develop. Following the retirements of Carles Puyol and later Xavi, Iniesta eventually became Barcelona’s captain. 

He was named man of the match in the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final, assisting Ivan Rakitić's opening goal in a 3–1 win over Juventus at Berlin's Olympiastadion. This victory made Barcelona the first club in history to win two trebles of domestic league, domestic cup, and European Cup. Iniesta was among the seven players who had been part of both historic treble-winning teams.

Though he signed a lifetime contract with Barcelona, Iniesta announced on April 27, 2018, that he would leave the club at the end of the season. He made his 674th and final appearance on May 20 in a 1–0 home victory over Real Sociedad, as Barcelona celebrated their 25th league title and 30th Copa del Rey win.

Over his career, Iniesta became Spain’s most decorated footballer, amassing 35 trophies, including nine La Liga titles and four Champions League victories. Internationally, Iniesta played a pivotal role in Spain’s 2010 World Cup triumph, famously scoring the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands, securing Spain’s first and only World Cup title.

Carles Puyol

Barcelona XI of La Masia graduates from 2012: Where are they now?

Puyol remains very famous for his World Cup semi-final goal against Germany, which helped them qualify for and win the final in 2010. The legendary Catalonian defender, dedicated his entire career to Barcelona, primarily as a center-back, though he was equally skilled on either side of the defense.

Renowned for his leadership and formidable defensive abilities, Puyol earned the nickname "El Tiburón" ("The Shark") for his fierce presence on the field. In 1998, Barcelona considered a transfer to Málaga due to competition from Frank de Boer and Michael Reiziger, but Puyol chose to stay and earn his place in the team.

Promoted by Louis van Gaal, he debuted in La Liga on October 2, 1999, contributing to a 2–0 win against Real Valladolid. Named captain in 2004 after Luis Enrique's retirement, Puyol led Barcelona with unwavering determination until his retirement in 2014.

Over his illustrious career, he played 593 matches, won 18 major titles—including six La Liga championships and three Champions League trophies—and was named UEFA's "Best European Right-Back" in 2002.

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fàbregas has announced his retirement from football

Cesc Fàbregas began his football journey with CE Mataró before joining Barcelona’s La Masia academy at age 10 in 1997. Admiring then-captain Pep Guardiola, Fàbregas dreamed of Barcelona’s first team. However, with limited chances for promotion, he signed with Arsenal’s academy on September 11, 2003.

In the 2004–05 season, Fàbregas began making senior appearances, debuting against Manchester United in the FA Community Shield. When Vieira was injured, he took on a larger role, starting four consecutive Premier League games.

By 2006–07, Fàbregas had established himself as a creative force for Arsenal, finishing the season with 13 assists—second highest in the league. His standout performance earned him the Golden Boy award, a spot on the 2006 UEFA Team of the Year, and Premier League Player of the Month for January 2007.

Though he was a finalist for both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards, these went to Cristiano Ronaldo. Arsenal fans voted him Player of the Season in June 2007.

On November 24, 2008, Fàbregas was named Arsenal captain, succeeding William Gallas. Mid-season, however, a knee injury sidelined him for four months, and Arsenal finished without a trophy, placing fourth in the league and reaching the Champions League semifinals.

Barcelona re-signed Fàbregas on August 15, 2011, for €29 million plus bonuses, ending a lengthy transfer saga. His debut season was successful, winning the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, with 15 goals, 20 assists, and four best midfielder awards.

On June 12, 2014, Chelsea signed Fàbregas on a five-year contract for around €33 million. He won the Premier League in 2017 and the FA Cup in 2018 before leaving in January 2019. After stints at Monaco and Como, Fàbregas retired on July 1, 2024, closing a remarkable career.

Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola in his playing days with Barcelona- Sportz Point.com

Widely regarded as the greatest football manager of all time Pep Guardiola joined La Masia from Gimnàstic de Manresa at age 13. Rising through Barcelona's youth ranks over six years, he made his senior debut in 1990 against Cádiz and quickly became a regular in the 1992/1993 season

 At just 20, Guardiola played a pivotal role in Barcelona's La Liga and European Cup victories, even being hailed by Italy’s Guerin Sportivo magazine as the world’s best player under 21. Under Bobby Robson in 1996–97, Guardiola helped Barcelona secure the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, and the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Named captain by new manager Louis van Gaal in 1997, Guardiola led with distinction. However, on April 11, 2001, he announced he would leave Barcelona after 17 years, his final appearance for the club came on June 24, 2001, against Celta Vigo, appearing in 479 games and winning 16 trophies over 12 seasons.

On the international stage, Guardiola debuted for Spain on October 14, 1992, in a friendly against Northern Ireland, and that year captained Spain to a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics.

Guardiola's managerial journey began with Barcelona B in 2007, and by 2008, he took charge of the senior team. Over four seasons, he led them to three La Liga titles, and two Champions Leagues, and achieved the club’s first treble in 2009.

In 2013, he moved to Bayern Munich, winning three Bundesliga titles, a Club World Cup, and two DFB-Pokals over three seasons. Now at Manchester City, Guardiola continues to break records, including setting the longest Champions League winning streak at 26 games (2022-2024), surpassing Manchester United’s previous record of 25 (2007-2009). 

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Victor Valdes

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Born in Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Víctor Valdés joined Barcelona’s youth setup from Peña Cinco Copas on July 1, 1992. By the 2003–04 season, he had claimed the position of first-choice goalkeeper, and in the 2004–05 season, he was instrumental in Barcelona’s first league title in six years, earning the Zamora Trophy as Spain’s best-performing goalkeeper with the fewest goals conceded.

In 2005–06, Valdés played a vital role in Barcelona’s European success, securing the Champions League title. His crucial saves in the final against Arsenal, including two close-range stops against Thierry Henry, helped Barcelona clinch a 2–1 victory at the Stade de France. On June 17, 2007, Valdés equaled Andoni Zubizarreta's record by starting—and never being substituted—in all 38 La Liga games that season.

Valdés set a club record for consecutive clean sheets in European competition, with a shutout against Rangers on November 7, 2007. during his time at Barcelona, he amassed six La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies, and 21 titles in total.

By the 2011–12 season, Valdés had broken Zubizarreta’s records for the most appearances by a goalkeeper in both league and official competitions, cementing his legacy at the club. He retired from football officially in January 2018.

Gerard Pique

10 players who have won the most trophies in football history - Gerrard Pique 37 trophies - sportzpoint.com

Piqué joined La Masia at age 10, where he quickly distinguished himself as a gifted defender with a natural understanding of the game. However, seeking more first-team opportunities, he moved to Manchester United in 2004. 

During his time with United, Piqué honed his defensive skills and gained valuable experience, ultimately contributing to the club’s Premier League and Champions League successes in the 2007–08 season. This formative experience set the stage for his return to Barcelona.

Upon his return to Barcelona in 2008, Piqué was welcomed by manager Pep Guardiola, and he quickly proved himself indispensable to the team. Known for his composure, technical skill, and ability to read the game, Piqué became a core component of Barcelona’s defense, fitting seamlessly into the club style.

His contributions helped Barcelona achieve unprecedented success, including the historic treble in the 2008–09 season—winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League in one season. This marked Barcelona’s first treble, and Piqué’s defensive reliability was crucial to the team’s achievement. Piqué would go on to be part of two more historic trebles, in 2014–15, which established Barcelona as the only club to achieve this feat twice.

Throughout his time at Barcelona, Piqué’s trophy cabinet expanded to include six La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, six Copa del Rey titles, six Supercopa de España titles, three UEFA Super Cups, and three FIFA Club World Cups.

His defensive consistency and footballing intelligence earned him individual accolades, including being named La Liga’s Best Defender in 2009–10 and multiple selections to the UEFA Team of the Year and the FIFA FIFPro World XI. 

Piqué’s international career with Spain was equally remarkable. Forming a formidable partnership with Sergio Ramos, he was a crucial part of Spain’s golden era. In 2010, he helped Spain secure its first FIFA World Cup, anchoring a defense that conceded just two goals in the tournament and set a record for consecutive clean sheets in the knockout stages.

Two years later, he was instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2012 triumph, solidifying their dominance in international football. Over his international career, Piqué earned 102 caps, scoring five goals and proving himself as one of Spain’s most reliable defenders on the global stage.

As Piqué retired in 2022, he left a lasting legacy with 616 appearances for Barcelona, 53 goals, and 30 major trophies—a record that solidifies his place as one of the most decorated players in the club’s history. 

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Pedro

Pedro during his Barcelona playing days- Sportz Point.com

Pedro was born on July 28, 1987, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. His football journey began at San Isidro, a local club in Tenerife, where he displayed his technical prowess and versatility as a forward. His talent soon caught the attention of FC Barcelona scouts, and in 2004, at the age of 17, he joined the prestigious La Masia academy.

Pedro’s official debut for Barcelona’s first team came in January 2008 in a Copa del Rey match, and he made his La Liga debut later that season. However, it was during the 2008–09 season that he truly began to shine.

He played a pivotal role as the club achieved an unprecedented treble in the 2008–09 season, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. Pedro’s adaptability allowed him to thrive in various attacking roles, complementing the skills of Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andrés Iniesta.

During his time at Barcelona, Pedro won an astounding 20 major trophies, including five La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League titles, three Copa del Rey titles, and two FIFA Club World Cups.

After over a decade with Barcelona, Pedro transferred to Chelsea in the English Premier League in 2015. During his five-year stint with Chelsea, Pedro added to his trophy cabinet with a Premier League title in the 2016–17 season, an FA Cup in 2018, and a UEFA Europa League title in 2019

Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets is the player with the most appearances in El-Clasico history | sportzpoint.com

Sergio Busquets was born on July 16, 1988, in Sabadell, Spain. Football ran in his family, as his father, Carles Busquets, was a former goalkeeper for Barcelona. Busquets joined La Masia, Barcelona's famed youth academy, in 2005, where he initially struggled to make a name for himself among the academy’s ranks.

However, under the guidance of Barcelona B coach Pep Guardiola, Busquets began to flourish, developing his trademark tactical intelligence and vision. Guardiola, who would later become his first-team coach, saw immense potential in Busquets’ ability to read the game, control tempo, and anticipate opponents' moves.

Busquets made his first-team debut for Barcelona in a 2008 La Liga match against Racing Santander. His performance, marked by calmness, technical skill, and defensive acumen, caught the eye of fans.

Over the years, Busquets became renowned for his "pivot" role, where he excelled in recycling possession, intercepting passes, and dictating play from deep positions.

During his time at Barcelona, Busquets would go on to win a remarkable 32 major trophies, including nine La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and three UEFA Champions League titles.

His impact extended beyond his statistical contributions; Busquets’ mastery of positional play and pressing transformed Barcelona’s midfield, laying the foundation for the club’s sustained success during his time.

In May 2023, Busquets announced his decision to leave Barcelona, marking the end of an era. After nearly two decades with the club, he departed as one of Barcelona’s most decorated players with 32 trophies to his name.

 

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