2022 has been yet another incredible year for sports. Shrugging off the final remnants of Covid-19's devastation, fans were treated to a year like no other. From unexpected wins, end to incredible careers, to heartbreaks – the sporting world has seen it all.

Here are the top five sporting moments from 2022.

5. Real Madrid's incredible Champions League Semi-Final. 

Photo: Reuters

Going into the 2021/22 UCL campaign, not many touted Real Madrid to win the trophy. But, as has become the norm, they defied the odds, with a semi-final win against Manchester City.

It was an instant classic. The suspense and intense football served over the two legs kept fans on the edge of their seats.  The Los Blancos followed up a 4-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium with an incredible 3-1 comeback in the Bernabeu. Their 3-goal spell in five unbelievable minutes before and during the extra time is something football fans will look back on fondly for years to come.

4. Tigers conquer Mount Maunganui.

Photo: AFP

Following a limp T20 World Cup and subsequent home series defeat to Pakistan, the mood was dark in the Bangladesh arena of cricket heading into the new year. Fans expected Bangladesh to be comprehensively defeated in New Zealand.

However, The Mount Maunganui Test was perhaps Bangladesh's best display in their test history to date. It was a classic team performance, with each inning boasting a different hero. Ebadot's 46/6 spell in the second innings and his trademark salute is already iconic in our cricketing lore. Tellingly enough, this game helped boost our morale, as the team has been performing admirably since, while the likes of Miraz, Ebadot and Litton has enjoyed scintillating individual performances.

3. Roger Federer's farewell.

Photo: Reuters

Injuries had severely curtailed Federer's later career. Despite this, the announcement that he would retire was something which left an impression on all sports fans. This signals the end of the old guard, with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal well-within retirement age. 

Federer has always been the ultimate gentleman, who remained grounded despite his 20 grand-slam titles. His final career game in the Laver Cup, where he teamed up with on-court rival and friend Nadal, was the highlight in this year's tennis. The speech after that game cemented his down-to-earth attitude, where he thanked his team and rivals for helping him develop personally and professionally.

2. Bengal Tigresses make history.

Photo: STAR

Bangladesh women's football has seen tremendous growth over the last decade. The grassroots level success finally translated to the women's national team, when, on September 19, the Bengal Tigresses conquered South Asian football by winning the 2022 SAFF Women's Championship in Nepal. They were scintillating throughout the tournament, playing a sophisticated, eloquent brand of football and defeating the likes of India and Nepal enroute.

But the biggest inspiration lies in the player's journey. The likes of Sabina Khatun, Maria Manda, and Ritu Porna Chakma will only inspire our girls to break free of social stigma and express themselves, whilst helping our football emerge from its eternal slumber.

1. Leo Messi solves the puzzle.

Photo: Reuters

There was an air of inevitability in Argentina's Qatar 2022 campaign. Even the defeat to Saudi Arabia couldn't deter their quest for the World Cup. United by passion, most players came clutch in crucial moments. The final against France was arguably the best World Cup Final in recent years.

The picture of a proud Messi looking on as the Emir of Qatar put on the bisht, was the crowning jewel of 2022. It was emblematic – the GOAT had finally completed football. Football owed Messi a World Cup for his contributions, and nature duly obliged.

Inqiad is a passionate Bucks fan and a certified Giannis stan. Contact him at inqiadali007@gmail.com