Messi’s roller-coaster year, Euro 2020 dominate Getty and AFP’s best soccer images of 2021

As 2022 looms large on the horizon, it is a timely opportunity to stop for a moment, take stock and look back at the year gone by.

Thankfully, Getty Images have complied their annual “Year in Review” and AFP have selected their “Pictures of the Year” collection, their respective picks of the best images captured over the course of 2021.

It was a year that, in the soccer world, brought with it a delayed European Championship and a Copa America as well as one of the biggest transfer stories of all time.

There were highly emotional events that united fans across the world, as well as split-second moments captured forever by some of the best sports photographers in the business.

Here are the best soccer images of 2021, as selected by Getty and AFP, presented in chronological order.

– Sports photos of the year 2021
– ESPN+ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more (U.S.)
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June 12: Christian Eriksen is shielded by his Denmark teammates after collapsing during the Euro 2020 group stage game against Finland in Copenhagen. The midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch and was rushed to hospital in the Danish capital, where he underwent emergency surgery that saved his life. Eriksen, 29, who has not played a match since, left Inter Milan earlier this month after agreeing to terminate his contract.

– Borden: Denmark sends emotional message to Eriksen

June 13: Roman Yaremchuk of Ukraine and Stefan de Vrij of Netherlands get better acquainted during a tussle for the ball during a Euro 2020 group match at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.

July 10: Lionel Messi is tossed into the air by his Argentina teammates after inspiring his nation to victory in the Copa America. The Albiceleste beat rivals Brazil 1-0 in the final to claim their first major title since 1993 and deliver Messi the first senior international trophy…