The 40 Most Riveting Football Narratives of 2022-23 According to BBC Sport

Presented below are the football narratives that seized the attention of Sport Newes Center’s audience throughout the season, across our website and mobile app.

We identified the engagement time of a story through the average duration it took for users to thoroughly read each piece, combined with a quality ratio. This calculation enabled us to balance the outcomes, avoiding a list comprised solely of our longest pieces.

Some items have been omitted. All quizzes and live match updates, which would otherwise have overwhelmed the list, were excluded. Any article rendered significantly outdated by subsequent news events was also removed.

Take a moment to appreciate some of the many pieces that captivated our readers this season. Presented in no specific sequence:

Inside the Hidden Departure of Sir Alex Ferguson from Manchester United

The retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson from his managerial role at Manchester United was a major Premier League event. The secret was well-kept by his club for months, but eventually, the news leaked…

Gianluigi Lentini: The Ascent and Descent of the Once World’s Priciest Player

A remarkable yet uncontrolled talent, Gianluigi Lentini became the costliest footballer globally in 1992. However, desire, fortune, and a commitment to living by his principles derailed his top-level career.

2002: Ronaldo’s Journey to Redemption with Brazil

Sport Newes Center delved into Ronaldo’s Golden Boot-winning redemption with Brazil in 2002.

Get to Know the English Players Who Claimed Victory at Euro 2022

England captured the nation’s heart with their triumphant journey in Euro 2022, defeating Germany 2-1 in the final. Meet the 18 women who made history.

Emiliano Sala: ‘A Heartbreaking Plane Crash and Football’s Tarnished Reputation’

The death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash shook the football world. Subsequently, we discovered how this world shaped his trajectory.

Qatar 2022: Exceptional Images and the Stories Behind Them

Explore a collection of the finest World Cup photographs captured in Qatar, as photographers share the stories behind these images.

Johan Cruyff: Total Football and the Transformative World Cup

Sport Newes Center commemorates Johan Cruyff and the stunning Total Football showcased by the Netherlands in 1974.

Pele and 1970: Cementing a Legend with the World’s Best Player

Sport Newes Center narrates the tale of Pele and his significant contribution to Brazil’s beautiful game in 1970.

Remembering the Champions League Showdown: Gennaro Gattuso vs Joe Jordan at San Siro

Twelve years after the notorious clash between Gennaro Gattuso and Joe Jordan at San Siro, Tottenham embarked on their Champions League journey to AC Milan earlier this season…

Maradona’s Pursuit of World Cup Glory: A Crafty Trickster or an Unstoppable Genius?

Guillem Balague shares an inside view of how Diego Maradona steered Argentina to glory in 1986.

Rescuing One of England’s Most Historic Clubs from the Brink of Destruction

Derby County, founder members of the Football League in 1888, narrowly escaped potential liquidation last year…

Celebrating 30 Years of the Premier League

Sport Newes Center examines how the Premier League has evolved since its inception in 1992, from foreign players to five substitutions.

Ange Postecoglou: The Greek Boy Turned Tottenham’s Key Player

From escaping a military junta in Greece at five years old to reviving Celtic, Ange Postecoglou’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary…

The 2011 Iconic Barcelona Team – Where Are They Now?

With Sergio Busquets’ imminent departure from Barcelona this summer, the last member of the iconic 2011 team will leave.

The SS Officer and The Prisoner: The Tale of Two Teammates and a War

In September 1933, Hamburg teammates Asbjorn Halvorsen and Otto Harder bid each other farewell. They ended up on opposing sides of a concentration camp fence.

Dalglish, Souness & Rod Stewart – Memories from World Cup 86

Key figures of Scotland’s 1986 World Cup campaign discuss Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and a ride in Rod Stewart’s limo.

The Evolution of a Saint, Galactico, and Welsh Hero: Gareth Bale

Sport Newes Center investigates the critical stages of Welsh legend Gareth Bale’s evolution throughout his impressive career.

Kyogo’s Tale: From Early Rejection to Partnership with Andres Iniesta & Stardom at Celtic

BBC Scotland traces the ascension of Celtic’s talisman and two-time Scottish title winner Kyogo Furuhashi.

Who Is The Best Forward You’ve Seen? The Results Are In

Following another record-breaking scoring streak by Erling Haaland, we asked you to nominate the greatest forward you’ve seen play.

From Modest Genius to ‘Bad Boy’ Leader: Messi’s Transformation in Qatar

Lionel Messi’s victory at the World Cup in Qatar, on his fifth attempt, was the final piece in possibly the greatest footballing resume of all time. However, the triumph was just part of the story.

Graham Potter: Brutal Dismissal Marks Another Chapter in Todd Boehly’s Turbulent Reign at Chelsea

After just 31 games as Chelsea’s manager, Graham Potter’s sacking led Sport Newes Center’s chief football writer Phil McNulty to reflect on the chaos engulfing the club.

Brazil vs Italy: The Day Football Wept

Despite their record five-time win of football’s biggest prize, a game against Italy in November 1982 still haunts a Brazilian team that included Socrates, Zico, and Falcao.

City Football Group: A Global Model with Manchester at Its Heart

City Football Group owns 13 clubs across five continents, but do all roads eventually lead back to Manchester City?

The Key Failings That Caused Leicester City’s Premier League Departure

Sport Newes Center evaluates the significant flaws that led to Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League.

Victor Osimhen: The ‘Boundless’ Napoli Striker Worth £100m?

Victor Osimhen, Serie A’s Nigerian top scorer who clinched Napoli’s first title in 33 years, has us questioning his market value.

Your Club’s Biggest Letdown This Premier League Season: Fan Responses

Poor signings? Inconsistent leadership? Sport Newes Center’s Premier League fan community identify a main issue at each club during the 2022-23 season.

The Future of San Siro: AC Milan and Inter’s Iconic Stadium

Exiting San Siro is proving challenging for both Inter and AC Milan who no longer see a future at the iconic stadium…

The White Horse Final: A Century Later

Delve into the legend of the first Wembley FA Cup final, where a policeman and his horse prevented a disaster.

The Rejection and Resilience That Forged Mikel Arteta into a Manager

Shaped by La Masia, hardened by the Old Firm, now celebrated in North London. Mikel Arteta’s arduous journey was always targeted at one destination: the pinnacle.

Blue vs Red: Manchester’s Battle

As the two sides geared up for the FA Cup final, we explored the rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United.

Your Club’s Best and Worst January Signing: Fan Poll Results

Fans of every Premier League club were asked, and these are their responses.

VAR in the Premier League: More Successful Than Expected?

Despite weekly controversies revolving around VAR this season, some fans, players, and pundits believe it’s working better than perceived.

Sergio Ramos: The Loud PSG Defence Player Who Isn’t Ready for Retirement

As he approaches his 37th birthday in March, Sergio Ramos has no plans to end his illustrious career. Guillem Balague investigates why.

Arsenal’s Reluctant Rebel Fans: ‘We Can’t Stop Watching’

Three years ago, they quit Arsenal. Today, a Premier League title challenge reluctantly draws them back.

Who Is Your Premier League Club’s Most Infamous Enforcer?

Brutal tackler? Intimidating aura? Sport Newes Center’s Premier League fan community reveal their club’s toughest player over the years.

‘It Started With an Earthquake and a 5-0 Loss. Then Things Got Worse’

Gary Lineker intended to conclude his playing career with Tottenham. But an offer from East Asia changed everything.

The Girl Among the Gang: The Wimbledon Physio at the 1988 FA Cup Final

For more than a decade, Caroline Brouwer was at the center of one of English football’s most celebrated and notorious locker rooms after unknowingly joining Wimbledon’s ‘Crazy Gang’.

‘Pep Guardiola: Sometimes Loathed, Sometimes Loved, But the Greatest of All Time’

Regardless of the 2023 Champions League final result, Guillem Balague asserts that Man City manager Pep Guardiola is the best in history.

Eddie Howe: The Architect Behind Newcastle United’s Champions League Return

In just 18 months, Eddie Howe took Newcastle from the brink of Premier League relegation to Champions League qualification. But how did he do it?

Premier League Season Club Ratings by Fans

With the Premier League season over, Sport Newes Center’s fan community assesses their club’s performance.

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More about Engaging Football Stories

• Top Football Stories
• Sir Alex Ferguson’s Exit
• Gianluigi Lentini’s Rise and Fall
• Ronaldo’s Redemption
• Emiliano Sala’s Tragic Story
• Qatar 2022 in Pictures
• The Story of Johan Cruyff
• Pele and 1970 World Cup
• Messi’s Qatar Transformation
• Premier League’s 30th Anniversary