Sports are not only a game of skill and physical strength, but also a place where fateful moments happen, changing history forever. Just one moment, one decision or one unexpected event can turn the whole sport upside down, affect the reputation of teams, athletes and even change the landscape of that sport. Biggest what ifs in sports history? If the major events in sports history had a different development, the landscape of the global sports village could have changed completely. Let’s explore with Bestsoccertips interesting hypotheses about situations that could have rewritten history.
Top 10 biggest what ifs in sports history
10. What if the Busby Babes hadn’t died in the plane crash?
The Munich air disaster of 1958 claimed the lives of many members of Manchester United’s young, talented Busby Babes squad. It was a tragedy not only for the club but also for English football. Had the accident not happened, the team could have dominated European football throughout the 1960s, instead of having to rebuild for a decade. Duncan Edwards, one of the most talented players of the era, could have gone on to become England’s greatest legend, even greater than Bobby Charlton.
As well as affecting Manchester United, the tragedy changed the history of English football. Had the Busby Babes continued to develop, they might have helped England to a stronger squad for the 1966 World Cup. With talents such as Bobby Charlton, Jimmy Greaves and Gordon Banks, England might have become a more formidable force in international competitions. European and world football history might have taken a different shape had this golden generation not been lost so soon.
9. What if the Calciopoli scandal had never happened?
The Calciopoli scandal of 2006 rocked Italian football as Juventus were demoted to Serie B, with AC Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina and several other clubs punished. Had the scandal not happened, Juventus might have maintained their dominance of Serie A without interruption, continuing to compete on equal terms with Europe’s top clubs. They would not have had to spend time rebuilding and might have won more domestic and international trophies.
Apart from Juventus, Italian football was also heavily affected by the scandal. If Juventus had not been relegated, they might have kept stars like Zlatan Ibrahimović or Fabio Cannavaro, continuing to be a strong contender in the Champions League instead of spending nearly a decade to restore their reputation. Serie A might not have been overshadowed by the rise of the Premier League and La Liga, and Italian football would still have retained its inherent appeal.
8. What if Chelsea, PSG, City had not been bought by billionaires?
Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have changed the landscape of world football thanks to strong investment from wealthy owners. Without these huge sums of money, Chelsea might still be just an average team in the Premier League, PSG could not dominate French football, and Man City would have had difficulty competing with Manchester United or Liverpool.
Without Roman Abramovich, Chelsea might not have signed the likes of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard or Petr Čech. They might not have won the Premier League or Champions League. Similarly, without the backing of Qatar Sports Investments, PSG might never have signed superstars like Neymar or Messi, and Ligue 1 would still be dominated by Lyon or Marseille.
Manchester City might still be a mid-table side if Sheikh Mansour had not bought the club in 2008. They might not have had Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne or Erling Haaland, and the Premier League might still be dominated by Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
7. What if Chelsea hadn’t been snatched by Barcelona in 2009?
The 2009 Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona has become one of the most controversial matches in football history. If referee Tom Henning Øvrebø hadn’t made controversial decisions, Chelsea could have beaten Barcelona and reached the final, where they could have won their first European title three years earlier.
The consequences could have been huge: Barcelona wouldn’t have won the title and ushered in the glorious tiki-taka era, and Chelsea could have become a force in the Champions League sooner. The legacy of Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi might not have been as bright after that title.
6. What if Ronaldo Lima’s career hadn’t been ruined by injury?
Ronaldo Nazário was one of the best strikers in football history, possessing incredible speed, technique and finishing ability. However, serious knee injuries prevented him from maintaining his peak form for a long time. If not for these problems, Ronaldo could have won more Ballons d’Or, broken a series of scoring records and dominated all opponents throughout the 2000s.
Biggest what ifs in soccer – Ronaldo Lima not ruined by injury
If he had maintained the good physical condition he had in the early stages of his career, Ronaldo could have helped Brazil win more major titles, especially the 2006 World Cup. At that time, world football might have witnessed a completely different era, where Ronaldo continued to dominate the pitch with superior class, becoming an invincible symbol in the history of the king sport.
5. What if Torres had not joined Chelsea?
If Fernando Torres had not left Liverpool to join Chelsea in January 2011, his career could have taken a very different direction. During his time at Liverpool, Torres was the star of the show, built around and scoring goals from Steven Gerrard. Under Rafael Benítez, he flourished with pace, sharp finishing and perfect understanding with his teammates. Had he stayed, Torres could have continued to be a great icon at Anfield, maintaining his top form and potentially taking Liverpool further in the Champions League and the Premier League.
His move from Liverpool to Chelsea was a turning point in his career. At Stamford Bridge, Torres did not fit into Chelsea’s style of play, with the club prioritising Didier Drogba as a centre-forward. He had to adapt to a more physical style than the agility and movement he enjoyed at Liverpool. As a result, Torres scored just 20 Premier League goals in just over three seasons, a number that was far from his standard. Had he not left Liverpool, the club might not have declined as rapidly as it did after his departure, and might have been more competitive in the period before Jürgen Klopp arrived. It is not impossible that Liverpool could have won a major trophy in the early 2010s if Torres had stayed and maintained his top form.
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4. What if Cristiano Ronaldo had not left Manchester United?
If Cristiano Ronaldo had not left Manchester United in the summer of 2009 to join Real Madrid, Manchester United might have maintained their dominance in both England and Europe. By then, Ronaldo had become the best player in the world after helping United win the 2008 Champions League and win the Ballon d’Or. If he had stayed with Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo might have been at the heart of an unbeatable team capable of maintaining Premier League dominance and winning more Champions Leagues.
Also, if Ronaldo had stayed, the race between him and Lionel Messi would have played out very differently. Real Madrid might not have signed Ronaldo and would not have won four Champions Leagues over the next decade. This could also have saved Manchester United from the slump that followed Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. If Ronaldo had stayed on at United, he might have broken the Premier League scoring record instead of La Liga, and European football might have seen a more exciting title race between English and Spanish clubs.
3. What if Messi hadn’t missed his penalty in the 2016 Copa America final?
If Lionel Messi hadn’t missed his penalty in the 2016 Copa America final against Chile, Argentina might have won the title and Messi might not have fallen into a psychological crisis after the defeat. At that time, Messi was under a lot of pressure because he had not won a major title with the Argentina team despite reaching three consecutive finals (World Cup 2014, Copa America 2015, Copa America 2016). If Argentina had won, Messi would not have had to announce his retirement from the national team immediately after the match due to disappointment, and could have entered the 2018 World Cup with a more relaxed mentality.
An earlier Copa America title could have also helped Argentina maintain better form in the following years. If Messi had won a major title with the team earlier, the team might have been more confident and achieved a better result at the 2018 World Cup instead of being eliminated in the round of 16 by France. Furthermore, Messi could have avoided unfair comparisons with Diego Maradona, and his career journey with the national team might have been less stressful.
2. What if Steven Gerrard had not played in Istanbul?
If Steven Gerrard had not played in the 2005 Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan, one of the greatest comebacks in football history might never have happened. With Liverpool trailing 0-3 at half-time, Gerrard was the one who started the comeback with the first goal, before motivating the whole team to play with more determination to equalize 3-3. Without him, Liverpool might have collapsed and could not have made the miracle.
Moreover, if Liverpool had lost that match, the club might have lost the momentum to develop in the following years. The 2005 Champions League title helped Liverpool regain their position as a major European team and was the premise for them to continue to rise. Without Gerrard in that match, Rafael Benítez might not have won his first major trophy with Liverpool, and the club might not have attracted quality players in the following seasons. The night in Istanbul was not only Liverpool’s victory, but also the moment that defined Gerrard’s career, making him one of the greatest leaders in the history of the club.
1. What if Maldini had played at the 2006 World Cup?
If Paolo Maldini had not retired from international football after the 2002 World Cup, Italy might have had an even stronger defence at the 2006 World Cup. Although Fabio Cannavaro and Marco Materazzi were excellent in that tournament, an experienced player like Maldini might have brought more stability and class, especially in tense moments like the final against France.
If Maldini had been there, it is not impossible that Italy could have won the tournament in a more convincing manner, perhaps even without needing a penalty shootout to beat France. With a World Cup title under his belt, Maldini would have further cemented his status as one of the greatest defenders in football history. In addition, if he had won the 2006 World Cup, Maldini could have continued playing longer instead of retiring in 2009, helping AC Milan maintain a more stable performance in the following years. It is a pity that a legend like Maldini lacked a World Cup title in his illustrious career.
Conclusion
The above biggest what ifs in sports history always leave a deep mark in history. However, if some events had developed differently, the world of sports could have had a completely different face. The above hypotheses not only show the influence of each decision, each event but also help us look back at history from a different perspective. Although reality cannot be changed, “what ifs” are always attractive topics for sports fans to discuss and imagine together. These hypotheses not only help fans recall the past but also set many lessons for the future of modern sports.
See more: What if Ronaldo joined Barcelona? A story full of surprises and potential
