10 things that have made 2017 an unforgettable year

1. Barcelona 6-1 PSG

Everyone loves a comeback victory and the Champions League may never see one quite like this again. Barcelona came back from 4-0 down on an epic night at the Camp Nou, with Sergi Roberto's goal writing his name into footballing folklore.

2. Messi silences the Bernabeu

Barcelona star Lionel Messi gave us this soon-to-be iconic image after scoring a late winner to give his side victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

3. Real Madrid claim their 12th European Cup

'Los Blancos' swept Juventus to one side in Cardiff to be named the champions of Europe for the second year running.

4. The arrival of Kylain Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe announced himself to the world in 2017. His combination of pace, power and technique led to comparisons with legendary strikers such as Thierry Henry and Ronaldo and French giants PSG were quick to pay Monaco €180m for his services.

5. PSG ruin the transfer market forever with the signing of Neymar

Barcelona insisted that he was staying, neutrals were convinced that any move would breach Financial Fair Play but none of that mattered when PSG invoked Neymar's €222m release clause, making the player the most expensive in the history of football and forever changing the face of transfers.

6. Italy miss out on the World Cup

60 years after their last failure to qualify, the second most successful national team in history missed out on qualification for the 2018 World Cup after being beaten by Sweden in a two-legged play-off. 'Azzuri' legend Gianluigi Buffon was brought to tears, as were many onlookers.

7. VAR is here to stay

Serie A and the Bundesliga both adopted VAR for the 2017/18 season, meaning that it appears to be here to stay. Even so, there have been a number of VAR-based controversies, with not everyone is convinced by the merits of the system.

8. Pep's record breakers

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side set a new record for the number of consecutive wins in the Premier League. Their current streak stands at 18 not out.

9. Cristiano Ronaldo, the best in the biz

Aside from a blip this season, 2017 couldn't have gone much better for Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese helping Real Madrid to five trophies as well as being named 'The Best' by FIFA and lifting his fifth Ballon d'Or.

10. Harry Kane usurps Messi and Ronaldo

For the first time since 2009, a player has scored more goals in a calendar year than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane was the man to break the domination of the two best players in world football, as he plundered 56 goals for club and country in 2017.