You know the Christmas period is well and truly underway when football is on every day and the World Darts Championship is in full flow.
Without further ado, here’s door number 19 of our football-themed advent calendar.
The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar – December 19th
Number: 19
Bundesliga club Wolfsburg retired the number 19 in honour of Junior Malanda, who sadly passed away aged 20.
The Belgian was a highly-rated prospect for Wolfsburg and played as a defensive midfielder.
In January 2015, Malanda was involved in a fatal car crash. There was an outpour of grief from the football community, which included Romelu Lukaku dedicating a goal to his fellow countryman.
A timely reminder that life is fragile and to treasure your loved ones at Christmas time.
Game On this Day: Roque SANTA Cruz puts Sunderland on the Naughty list.
With a name like Roque Santa Cruz, the Chilean just had to deliver around the festive period.
Manchester City welcomed Sunderland to the Etihad Stadium back on this day in 2009.
Santa Cruz gave the hosts an early advantage before Carlos Tevez penalty doubled the deficit just past the ten minute mark.
However, Sunderland mustered an emphatic response as strikes from John Mensah and Jordan Henderson restored parity with only 24 minutes on the clock.
A seven goal thriller #OnThisDay in 2009!
That Tevez celebration really was sensational 😂
🔵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/IchmXnSSbv
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 19, 2019
Both sides scored either side of the interval with Craig Bellamy netting before the break and Kenwyne Jones replying for the Black Cats on the hour.
But Santa Cruz had one last present for the City faithful as he made it 4-3, which ended up being the decisive goal in the seven-goal thriller.
A Christmas Cracker in Manchester.
Footballer Born on this Day: Karim Benzema
One of the greatest forwards of his generation, Karim Benzema, celebrates his 37th birthday today.
Undoubtedly, the pinnacle of the Frenchman’s illustrious career was winning the Ballon d’Or in 2022.
The former Real Madrid star was recognised with the award as he was an influential force in Los Blancos’ 14th Champions League title.
🌟 No surprises…
👏 @Benzema is the 2021/22 @ChampionsLeague Player of the Season!
⚽ 15 goals (top scorer)#CHAMP14NS | #UCL pic.twitter.com/LZ9Hhd3Kel
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 31, 2022
That individual accolade was a welcome addition to an already trophy-laden cabinet that includes four Ligue 1 titles, four La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues.
However, the forward was overshadowed for much of his career by the fellow components of the ‘BBC’ frontline (Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo).
But after Ronaldo moved on to pastures new, the 37-year-old got his day in the sun.
Like a fine Beaujolais, Benzema just got better with age and adapted his game to accommodate for his dwindling pace. His partnership with Vinicius Jr. was devastating and his link-up play finally got the flowers it deserved.
Benzema was one of several high-profile footballers to make the switch to the Saudi League back in 2023. He represents and captains Al-Ittihad and has scored 10 goals in as many games this campaign.
Former Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez is also celebrating his birthday today as he approaches the twilight of his career.
The Chilean is back at Udinese and is adored back in his native Chile. The newly 36-year-old is La Roja’s all-time top appearance maker and record goalscorer.
Honourable mentions include former Chelsea captain Gary Cahill, who turns 39 today. Al-Ahli’s Franck Kessie is 28, while AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori and Arsenal’s potent goalscoring defender Gabriel Magalhães are 27 today.\
Stat: A Strict Punishment for Rio Ferdinand
On this day in 2003, football’s most expensive defender, Rio Ferdinand, was banned for eight months. Why?
Ferdinand was scheduled for a routine drug test at Carrington, Manchester United’s training ground. However, the Englishman forgot to provide a sample and proceeded to go out shopping.
In fairness to Ferdinand, he did rush back to the training complex in an attempt to complete the test. But by then, it was too late.
The FA fined him £50,000 and the eight-month ban applied at both club and international level – meaning he missed out on Euro 2004. A costly shopping spree for Rio.
Bonus Stat: Barton’s infamous Christmas Party Antics
The 19th December really is a day for football controversy.
Joey Barton is renowned for his polarising personality and he certainly doesn’t shy away from the spotlight.
Today marks 20 years since Barton committed arguably his most sinister sin.
Tensions boiled over at Manchester City’s Christmas Party when reserve player James Tandy set fire to Barton’s shirt. Not the wisest thing to do.
Barton responded by stubbing a lit cigar in Tandy’s eye, resulting in Barton receiving a £60,000 fine from the club and being ordered to pay £65,000 in damages to Tandy. Ouch.
Read – The five favourites to sign Marcus Rashford
See more – Remembering December 2006’s Goal of the Month competition
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