There is a feeling that football life is not static, especially when we witness some new records that had not been broken earlier.
2021, the year following the coronavirus outbreak, was not an exception when it comes to enjoying some huge and memorable moments.
We have chosen the top 10 football records of 2021 as another proof that football will continue ruling the incredible world of sport.
World Football Records in 2021
1. Italy's 37-game undefeated run
Italy's national team remained unbeaten in 37 games following their natch against Portugal back in September 2018. They did an incredible job under the boss Roberto Mancini, winning the Euro 2020 by beating England in the final due to a penalty shootout.
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The Azzurri's impressive run was interfered with by Spain national team in the UEFA Nations League. Though the result was quite enough to go past the all-time record of Brazil and Spain.
Longest undefeated runs in international football
- 37 - Italy (2018-present)
- 36 - Brazil (1993-1996)
- 35 - Spain (2007-2009)
- 31 - Argentina (1991-1993)
- 30 - France (1994-1996)
- 30 - Italy (1935-1939)
- 29 - Algeria (2018-present)
- 23 - West Germany (1978-1981)
- 23 - France (2010-2012)
2. Bonucci - Italy's veteran goalscorer!
While Italians were enjoying the year as Euro 2020 winners, Leonardo Bonucci got the chance to score a goal in the final of the competition at the age of 34 years and 71 days. So he became the oldest goalscorer in a football UEFA European Championship final.
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Interesting fact: Bonucci has also taken part in Euro 2012 final alongside captain Giorgio Chiellini. That time Italy lost to Spain with a score of 4 - 0.
3. Luke Shaw's quick goal in Euro 2020 final
The Euro 2020 final between England and Italy was full of emotions and surprises. One of them was Luke Shaw's goal that came right at a minute and 56 seconds after the match kicked off.
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The defender's opener became the fastest-ever goal in UEFA European Championship final and the fifth-fastest in the tournament's history.
4. Erling Haaland. The younger - the faster
Despite his young age, Erling Haaland doesn't stop stunning the world with his talent and physique.
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Another memorable day in Norway International's career became the UEFA Champions League game against Sevilla as his brace against the rivals made him the fastest player to reach 20 goals in the European top tier. He reached the record in just 14 matches.
5. Mbappé overtakes Messi
Kylian Mbappé is another name of a talent who shows his class at a young age. Like Haaland, he has also become a record maker in the UEFA Champions League.
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The French star's penalty for PSG in their 1-1 draw with Barcelona saw him become the youngest player in European top competition to reach 25 Champions League goals at the age of 22 years and 80 days. So he overtook Lionel Messi who reached the result at 22 years and 286 days of age.
6. Messi's 7th Ballon d'Or
2021 was not the best one for Lionel Messi in terms of career path change. The world-class star had to part ways with his beloved club, Barcelona, and make a move to PSG in the summer transfer window.
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However, he managed to adapt to the new atmosphere, while lifting the Copa America title with his national team Argentina helped him to win the 7th record Ballon d'Or award in football history.
7. Ronaldo's EURO all-time scoring record
In 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked 6th among the Ballon d'Or contenders. However, he still remains a goat in the world of football, breaking another record on the international level.
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The Portuguese star has scored the most UEFA European Championships goals (14). He has achieved this result from 12 June 2004 to 23 June 2021.
8. Lewandowski breaking Gerd Müller’s Bundesliga record
Continuing the series of goalscoring records, let's remember one of the best strikers of the world - Robert Lewandowski.
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On 17 January 2021, the Poland international became the first player in Bundesliga history to score 21 goals after just 16 games, beating Gerd Müller's 20 goals during the 1968–69 season.
9. Buffon now tops Serie A’s all-time appearance chart
Amid the goalscoring records, in 2021 we witnessed how Gianluigi Buffon played his 656th Serie A game to become the player with the most appearances in Italian football.
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The World Cup-winning goalkeeper has reached this all-time record between 19 November 1995 and 21 April 2021.
10. Longest international football spell
While Buffon has made the most displays in the domestic league, Ildefonso Lima Solà is the one who managed to have the longest football career on the international level.
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The 42-year-old has played for the Andorra national football team for 24 years 109 days, as of 9 October 2021.