Football legend Pele dies aged 82
Pelé during the African Cup of Nations, in 2012, during a match between Mali and Côte d'Ivoire © Frank Fife, AFP
More than half a century after laying the groundwork for an extraordinary career, King Pelé, "O Rei", by his Brazilian nickname, died Thursday, December 29 from colon cancer.
He was 82 years old.
Immediately, tributes multiplied from all over the world saluting the one who is often considered the best football player of all time.
"He made football an art," added Neymar, his distant successor under the Brazilian team's No.10 and who equaled his national record of 77 goals for the "Seleçao" in Qatar.
"Rest in peace, Pelé", abounded the Argentinian Messi, "his legacy will never be forgotten", continued Mbappé.
The French Michel Platini and Zinédine Zidane, the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, obviously countless Brazilians, like the ex-striker Ronaldo... All shared a few words and photos with the icon, as well as the political world: "Never has there been a number 10 like him," said Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The health of Pelé, the only player in history to have won three editions of the World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970), had been shaky for several months: he was battling colon cancer and had been hospitalized at the end of November in Sao Paulo, in the middle of the World Cup in Qatar.
Tennis legend Roger Federer retires
Roger Federer tears as he sits alongside his partner Rafael Nadal after their Laver Cup doubles match at the O2 arena in London on September 23, 2022. The Swiss tennis player has just played the last encounter of his illustrious career.
© Kin Cheung, AP
"It should never have been like this, I just loved playing tennis and spending time with my friends. I never thought it would end here, it's been a perfect run."
When Roger Federer utters these words, at the end of September, he has officially ended his long and brilliant career after a last Laver Cup match in London, disputed with his rival and friend in life, Rafael Nadal.
To my tennis family and beyond,
With Love,
Roger pic.twitter.com/1UISwK1NIN
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 15, 2022
At 41, the Swiss tennis player is a legend in his sport: he has won 20 titles and won 369 Grand Slam matches – an unequaled record – during his career, to which are added six Masters, a Davis Cup and even an Olympic medal. Olympic gold.
In total, he won 103 ATP Tour titles and spent 310 weeks at No. 1 in the world – a record that Novak Djokovic has since raised to 373.
When announcing his retirement, Roger Federer was honored by all the big names in tennis: Pete Sampras, André Agassi… and Rafael Nadal.
For the Spaniard, a great admirer of his rival's classicism, the adjective "perfect" sums up the tennis of the Swiss: "He has a perfect service, a perfect volley, a more than perfect forehand, a perfect backhand (with one hand) ; he is very fast, everything is perfect with him."
And we will now speak of Roger in the imperfect.
The Three Lionesses break the English curse and win the Women's Euro
The England team lifts the Women's Euro 2022 trophy on July 31, 2022, at Wembley.
© Peter Cziborra, Reuters
Fifty-six years after the World Cup won by men, England finally won a new major title at the end of July, after the victory of their women's team in the Euro final against Germany (2-1 ap) .
The Three Lionesses were followed by millions during the competition and even played in front of more than 87,000 spectators in the final at Wembley, a sign of popular success for women's football.
>> To read also: Women's Euro 2022: the English break the curse at the end of a historic competition
Queen Elizabeth II - who died in September - also underlined in a press release published after the match the significance of this victory for the women's football team: "Your success goes far beyond the trophy that you have so well deserved. you all set an example that will inspire girls and women today and generations to come."
The France team, for its part, broke the glass ceiling of the quarter-finals on which it stumbled in international competitions.
But she failed to win against Germany (1-2) to reach the final.
This course is, despite everything, a performance since the Bleues have had to compose since the quarter-finals without their star striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
Argentina win the World Cup, thirty-six years later
Argentina was crowned football world champion on Sunday for the third time in its history.
AFP - FRANCK FIFE
Since December 18, Argentina has relived a time that those under forty cannot know.
Lionel Messi's Albiceleste settled on the roof of the world after his victory in an anthology final against France (3-3, tab 4-2) and added a third star to his jersey, 36 years later the last coronation of Argentina by a certain Diego Maradona.
The "Pulga", who only needed a world title with his selection in his trophy cabinet, took his nation to the top during the 2022 World Cup, notably scoring seven goals - to which is added the decisive contribution new generation players like Julian Alvarez or Enzo Fernandez.
>> See also: in pictures: with the return to Argentina of its world champions, Buenos Aires is a party
After their victory, the Argentine world champions marched on December 20 from the headquarters of the Argentine Federation (AFA) to Buenos Aires, first by bus, then by helicopter due to the crowds in the capital.
More than five million people took part in these extraordinary celebrations, "the most important popular mobilization in the history" of the country, according to several televisions.
The government had decreed a public holiday so that the Argentine people could celebrate their new heroes.
Six Nations tournament, thirteen victories… the record year for the XV of France
Les Bleus won the 2022 Six Nations Tournament, signing a Grand Slam © Pierre-René Worms
Before the year 2023, which will be marked by the Rugby World Cup in France (from September 8 to October 21), the XV of France sent a strong signal to the rugby planet during the year 2022.
The Blues first won, in March, the tenth Grand Slam in the history of the French rugby team at the Six Nations Tournament, with victories against Italy (37-10), Ireland ( 30-24), Scotland (17-36), Wales (9-13) and finally England (25-13).
🙌 Our #XVdeFrance concludes this Autumn tour with 𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐢𝐫𝐞!
🤩
The 13th in a row for our Blues!🔥🇫🇷#FRAJPN #NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/X9cdzWAv6M
– France Rugby (@FranceRugby) November 20, 2022
The XV of France can count on an "exceptional generation with players who are technically well trained and who have their heads on their shoulders", as former French international Philippe Saint-André explained to France 24.
And to complete the year 2022 in the wake of the Tournament, the French rugby team continued its series of invincibility with a 13th consecutive victory against Japan (35-17) in November.
An absolute record – still in progress – which could be extended from the start of 2023.
Senegal wins the first CAN in its history
Senegal wins the first CAN in its history.
© Pierre René-Worms
On February 6, Senegal won its first trophy in an African Cup of Nations by winning against Egypt (0-0, 4-2 on pens) with a final shot on goal from Sadio Mané.
It's a party in Dakar all night long after the victory.
It must be said that the performance is significant: the Lions of Teranga warded off bad luck three years after a narrow defeat against Algeria (1-0), and 57 years after their first participation in a CAN.
"There are a lot of mixed emotions. There is joy. There is pride. Happiness and great relief, of course. I don't think we realize what we've done yet. “, enthused Abdou Diallo after the meeting.
Nampalys Mendy is also delighted, speaking of a "grand" moment: "We made a lot of sacrifices to get here and it's done! We marked the history of our country."
To write history, Senegal was also able to count on Édouard Mendy, winner of the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 and voted best goalkeeper of CAN-2022.
A meteoric rise for the one who was still, seven years earlier, without a club and unemployed.
The women's Tour de France is back, thirty-three years later
Dutch women have obtained all the distinctive jerseys of the Tour de France.
© Jeff Pachoud, AFP
A rebirth.
Thirty-three years after the last edition of the women's Tour de France, organized by ASO in 1989, this Grande Boucle was relaunched from Paris on July 24, the day of the arrival of the men's event.
For a week, the 144 riders – 109 at the finish – competed in eight stages, including a monumental final climb, the Super Planche des Belles Filles.
The Dutch Annemiek van Vleuten, who was one of the favorites, easily won this first edition.
She thus succeeds Jeannie Longo, whose prize list has been interrupted since 1989. But the differences in level were such during the race that the 14 most renowned cyclists in the peloton monopolized all the stage victories and jerseys, leaving only crumbs to their opponents.
>> To read also: Tour de France Women: Annemiek van Vleuten, a winner "from another planet"
Popular enthusiasm along the roads and viewers – between 2 and 3 million per stage – were also there.
"It was edition n°1 so there will inevitably be some small changes, but the base is solid", assured the director of the race, Marion Rousse, at the end of the women's Tour de France.
We are therefore impatiently awaiting the runners on the 2023 Tour, with a route that will connect Clermont-Ferrand to Pau.
Karim Benzema wins the Ballon d'Or, 24 years after Zinedine Zidane
Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema with his France Football 2022 Ballon d'Or trophy at the Châtelet theater in Paris, October 17, 2022. © Franck Fife, AFP
Karim Benzema wins the Ballon d'Or 2022 on October 17.
The Real Madrid striker from France was the big favorite to win football's most prestigious individual award after a stratospheric season: 44 goals in 46 appearances – including 15 goals in 12 Champions League appearances.
This is the most prolific season of his career, both in terms of statistics and consistency in decisive moments.
"Seeing (this trophy) in front of me is a source of pride. I think back to when I was little, all the work, I never gave up. It's a childhood dream, I grew up with it in the head," said Karim Benzema as he received his award.
Before adding: "This Ballon d'Or is individual, but it remains collective, it's the people's Ballon d'Or."
>> To read also: Ballon d'Or: for Karim Benzema, the hour of glory has arrived
With this coronation, "KB9" becomes the fifth Frenchman to win the supreme award.
He succeeds a certain Zinedine Zidane, who won the Ballon d'Or… on December 21, 1998, 24 years ago.
It was the French legend who presented the trophy to Karim Benzema.
Before the "Z", Raymond Kopa (1958), Michel Platini (1983, 1984 and 1985) and Jean-Pierre Papin (1991) had also won the Ballon d'Or.
Karim Benzema, who missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury, has finally announced the "end" of his career with the Blues.
Caroline García in the footsteps of Amélie Mauresmo at the WTA Masters
Caroline Garcia clutching the Cincinnati Masters 1000 trophy.
© Matthew Stockman, AFP
This is the French performance of the year on the tennis courts: Caroline Garcia won the WTA Masters in early November in Fort Worth, Texas, after beating Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (7-6 (7/4), 6 -4).
She thus became the second Frenchwoman to achieve this feat after Amélie Mauresmo, who won this trophy in a 100% French final against Mary Pierce in 2005.
CHAMPIONNNNNN 🤩🙌🏻🦁🐝🏆🎾
@WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/gcchYYadF6
— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) November 8, 2022
It is only a just reward for the 29-year-old Lyonnaise: after years of doubt, Caroline Garcia has found her tennis in 2022. The one who was ranked 79th in the world in May has started a fantastic rise in the WTA rankings for currently rank fourth.
How to best approach the Australian Open which will take place in January 2023?
A performance in this competition would give French women's tennis its first major title since that of Marion Bartoli – in 2013. Above all, Caroline Garcia would once again follow in the footsteps of… Amélie Mauresmo.
The latter, having just won the WTA Masters, took the opportunity to win the Australian Open in the process.
Morocco breaks the African glass ceiling at the Mondial-2022
Moroccan Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates his goal against Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, December 10, 2022. © Martin Meissner, AP
In December, the Atlas Lions wrote African football history by becoming the first nation on the continent to qualify for a World Cup semi-final, before losing to France (0-2).
Before reaching this level of the competition, Morocco managed to get out of a "group of death" composed in particular of Croatia - finalist in 2018 - and Belgium - third in the World Cup in Russia.
Then the Moroccans eliminated Spain in the round of 16 (0-0, tab 3-0), as well as Portugal in the quarter-finals (1-0).
After the third place match lost to Croatia (2-1), Moroccan coach Walid Regragui said he was "convinced" that "in 15, 20 years (...), an African team will win the world because we will have learned".
And he continued: "We have a level to pass. We have to build on that. With work, with desire. This DNA (of victory, editor's note), we are not building it only for Morocco, but for the African continent.
The Atlas Lions, who finally finished fourth in the World Cup in Qatar, were applauded upon their return to Rabat by hundreds of thousands of people.
The team, which made all of Morocco dream and beyond its borders, was also received by King Mohammed VI for a "welcome and celebration ceremony in recognition of its historic achievement".
The number fourteen, lucky charm for Rafael Nadal and Real this year
Rafael Nadal won a 14th Roland Garros this year at the same time as his heart team, Real Madrid, who won a 14th Champions League.
© FMM Graphic Studio
Crossed destinies.
A week apart, Real Madrid added a 14th Champions League to their trophy cabinet at the end of May, and Rafael Nadal won the Roland Garros tournament for the 14th time in early June.
Perhaps a wink of fate, since the Spanish tennis player is a fan of the Madrid club.
1️⃣4️⃣
📍 Paris pic.twitter.com/4BqiXl0FFV
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) June 5, 2022
For this "decimocuarta", the people of Madrid won against Liverpool (1-0) at the Stade de France, carried throughout European competition by a Karim Benzema at the height of his footballing art.
But the Champions League evening was also marred by scenes of chaos outside the stadium.
In question: a failing maintenance of order for which the prefect of police of Paris then in place, Didier Lallement, recognized a "failure".
Rafael Nadal, for his part, confirmed this year – if he was still needed – that he is indeed the king of the Porte d'Auteuil: the Spanish tennis player won his 14th Mousquetaires Cup at Roland Garros, also signing a 22nd Grand Slam victory – an absolute record to date.
At 35, the "bull of Manacor", although diminished by his left foot during the tournament, left the young Norwegian Casper Ruud no chance during the final (6-3, 6-3, 6-0).
And he engraved his name a little more in the marble of tennis legends.
Dane Jonas Vingegaard wins the Tour de France
Tadej Pogacar celebrates his victory in the seventh stage of the Tour de France, at the top of the Planche des Belles Filles, in the Vosges mountains, on July 8, 2022. © Marco Bertorello, AFP
Second in the Grande Boucle in 2021, Jonas Vingegaard was able to turn his back to win, on July 24, the Tour de France 2022, the start of which was given … from Denmark.
At 25, the Dane had a breathtaking duel with Tadej Pogacar – then double reigning winner – but the Slovenian never managed to steal the yellow jersey from him despite several attempts.
This honor crowns the supremacy of the Dane and his Jumbo-Visma team throughout the race.
From this edition of the Tour de France, we will remember his superiority in the Col du Granon, at the top of which he won and stole the yellow jersey from Tadej Pogacar, never to let go, before confirmation during the 18th stage. in Hautacam, in the Pyrenees.
>> To read also: Tour de France: Jonas Vingegaard, from the fish market to the yellow jersey
"The two in front, Pogacar and Vingegaard, are from another generation, they are incredible", summarized Geraint Thomas, third in the final standings, the day before the arrival on the Champs-Élysées.
Jonas Vingegaard, also wearing the polka dot jersey, became the second runner from his country to make the race's record, 26 years after the controversial Bjarne Riis - who admitted he was doped when he was won the yellow jersey.
The summary of the
France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 app