Cast Your Vote for Masterclass of the Year! FourFourTwo Alternative Awards 2024

This month in eScored magazine, we are celebrating the remarkable figures of 2024 with our annual awards – however, there were several categories that we couldn’t fit into the issue.

So, we present the Alternative Awards of the Year, where you have the opportunity to vote. First on the list is Masterclass of the Year, awarded to the player, manager, team, or any entity that delivered an outstanding performance over the past 12 months.

Our dedicated team was asked for their nominations with absolutely no restrictions on their choices – even if they had already been nominated. So, who will you cast your vote for?

England: nominated by James Andrew, editor (@JamesAndrew_)

For the second consecutive Euros, Gareth Southgate took the Three Lions to the edge of international achievement. While their performance in the tournament wasn’t stellar, they reached the final, only to be defeated by an exceptional Spain team. Now it’s up to Thomas Tuchel to help England advance further.

That speaks volumes. She is consistently and seemingly effortlessly the standout player in a star-studded Barcelona team that once again clinched the quadruple in the 2023/24 season. Bonmati is the cornerstone of an incredible Barcelona juggernaut, which lost only once last season – during the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. She earned player of the match honors in the Women’s Champions League final, where Barcelona triumphed 2-0 over eight-time winners Lyon, and secured a back-to-back Ballon d’Or trophy.

Newcastle United women: nominated by Matthew Ketchell, deputy editor (@Ketchell)

The Newcastle United Women achieved back-to-back promotions in April, rising from the National League Division One North to the Championship within two years. The most recent promotion season included a remarkable 399-day unbeaten streak across all competitions, only halted by Manchester United in the National League Cup Final. Under Becky Langley’s leadership, they have solidified their position in the second tier, with a third consecutive promotion now within reach. They even defeated Sunderland in the Wear-Tyne derby last October, where they shattered the league attendance record. Expect more records to fall when the teams clash at St. James’ Park next year.

Ademola Lookman: nominated by Mark White, online content editor (@markwhlte)

The only player who could truly challenge Bayer Leverkusen all season long ended up being a man who once Panenka’d a penalty straight into a goalkeeper’s grasp. Once considered expendable by Everton, Leicester City, and Scott Parker’s Fulham, Ademola Lookman’s journey has been unpredictable throughout his career. From battling with a past of being overshadowed by a seasoned Walcott to having a lackluster time in the Bundesliga (which is almost unheard of for a talented English youth), his triumphant performance against Xabi Alonso’s squad was especially satisfying. Winning Atalanta their first European trophy? Remarkable.

Florian Wirtz: nominated by Ed McCambridge, staff writer (@edmccambridge)

As Bayer Leverkusen needed just one more victory to clinch their first Bundesliga title back in April, social media buzzed with the possibility of them faltering again, reminiscent of their 2002 collapse. On a day full of tension, the talismanic Florian Wirtz silenced the critics with a hat-trick, sealing the deal. He also had an incredible Euros on home turf. The young star is truly exceptional.

Lamine Yamal: nominated by Ryan Dabbs, senior writer online (@ryandabbs_)

Over the years, numerous teenagers have made significant breakthroughs, but none have had an impact quite like Lamine Yamal. After dominating last season with Barcelona and then showcasing his talents for Spain in the summer, he turned 17 just one day before the Euro 2024 final. He is off to another blazing start in the 2024/25 season. His stellar performance at the Bernabeu in October, in which he wreaked havoc on the Real Madrid defense during their 4-0 defeat, clearly emphasized his place as one of the best players in the world today – just imagine how good he could become in the future.

FK Arkadag: nominated by Chris Flanagan, senior staff writer (@CFlanaganFFT)

Several contenders were in the running – Emma Hayes expertly secured the WSL title with Chelsea and Olympic gold with the USA within two months, while Artur Jorge guided Botafogo to their inaugural Copa Libertadores triumph and their first Brazilian league title since 1995. However, nobody could compare to the flawless masterclass that FK Arkadag demonstrated in the league that has captivated you all… yes, the Turkmenistan top flight.

This year, Arkadag set a world record for consecutive victories – they have now won 54 league matches in a row. Remarkably, they have only ever played 54 league matches – founded in April 2023, they won all 24 matches that year and 30 out of 30 this year, boasting a goal difference of +127. Their inception, backed by the Turkmen president’s father who quickly signed many top players from the country, is a mere footnote.

Erik ten Hag: nominated by Adam Monk, presenter/producer (@_adammonk)

Consider this: Erik ten Hag’s performance in the 2024 FA Cup Final was a masterclass of deception – a real ‘Catch Me If You Can’ scenario. To be dreadful in your role for the first half of the year and then extend your tenure through one miraculous victory over Pep Guardiola, thanks to Dan Ashworth (now departed) and associates, is a true con. This ultimately cost Manchester United an additional £200m in the transfer market, plus an improved severance package by October. Brilliant.

San Marino: nominated by Ben Marsden, writer (@BenMarsden03)

After failing to win a single competitive match in over 150 attempts since becoming a professional side, San Marino’s 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein in September 2024 was historic and ignited wild celebrations among the estimated 600 fans. Nineteen-year-old Nicko Sensoli scored the historic match-winning goal. But the excitement continued; just five matches later, San Marino triumphed over Liechtenstein again with a 3-1 score, marking their second competitive win and solidifying their most remarkable year in football history.