Funniest Moments of the Season: From AFCON 2023 to Guardiola’s Reaction to Son’s Miss

• Manchester City won the 2023/2024 Premier League title on May 19
• The club football season will conclude on June 1 after the UCL final
• Sports Brief brings you some of the funniest moments of the season

Manchester City won the last remaining league title of the season in the European top five leagues after beating West Ham 3-1 on May 19.

The 2023/2024 season is now on its deathbed for a majority of players, with only the cup finals the major attraction in the next few days. Afterwards, the players will take a short break before Euro 2024 and Copa America take centre stage in Germany and the United States, respectively.

Funniest moments of the 2023/2024 season

The football season was once again full of high-octane drama but it did provide some light moments along the way. Sports Brief has compiled a list of the funniest moments from the major leagues, including AFCON 2023, which was held in January.

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Take a seat and laugh a little. It's never that serious.

1. Ronald Araujo's unconventional handball vs Getafe

Mans thought he was LeBron.

Barcelona began their La Liga title defence with a goalless draw against Getafe on August 14, 2023. Apart from Raphinha's red card, Araujo also provided a major talking point as he comically handled the ball.

A cross-field ball was sent to the Uruguayan, who rose highest to control it but opted to catch it as if it was an NBA match while the ball was still in play. His reaction said it all.

2. Cole Palmer trying to steal Manchester City tactics

You don't play for us any more mate.

Cole Plamer has been a revelation for Chelsea this season. Prior to his £40 million move from Manchester City, he hadn't scored a single Premier League goal, but he finished the season with 22.

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He came up against his former club in November and played a huge role in the pulsating 4-4 draw. Apart from the draw, Palmer tried 'stealing' City's tactics as they prepared to take a free-kick.

Erling Haaland saw the light side of the incident and shoved his former teammate away.

3. Ivorian man trying to woo a lady vs Senegal

Something must kill a man

Our first AFCON 2023 entrant. While everyone else was celebrating Ivory Coast's stunning win over Senegal in the round of 16, an Ivorian fan was trying to convince a lady why he was the man of her dreams.

The man, who was later identified as Anselme Santos, became famous after he was seen talking to a lady after the game. The moment landed him in trouble with his wife as he apologised on national TV.

4. Mali coach and the water

No pour me water oh

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Another breathtaking Ivory Coast performance in the quarter-finals left Mali's head coach, Eric Chelle, requiring water to cool him down. Literally.

Mali bottled the lead to a 10-man Ivory Coast, with Oumar Diakite scoring in the last minute of extra-time to knock them out,

5. Andre Onana offering free kick advice

Oh na-na, what's my name?

Andre Onana's early season struggles at Manchester United provided his detractors with banter fodder. From doing the 'calma' celebration after conceding to scolding Harry Maguire, the Cameroon shot-stopper was everywhere.

But perhaps the best yet, came in Ivory Coast after he sprinted almost the entire length of the pitch to offer free kick advice. Fans were left bewildered at what possible offensive set-piece advice would a goalkeeper give.

Georges-Kévin N'Koudou's free-kick trickled out of play as the Indomitable Lions were beaten 3-1 by Senegal in Onana's only appearance at the tournament.

6. Roy Hodgson's hysterical smirk at Pep Guardiola

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Respect your elders

For all that he has won in his career, Pep Guardiola somehow often struggles against Crystal Palace. The Londoners usually have one game in the season where they will frustrate the Spaniard.

In December last year at the Etihad, veteran Roy Hodgson masterminded a two-all draw to dent Manchester City's title hopes. It didn't matter in the long run, but the Premier League caught Hodgson's laugh at Guardiola after City wasted one of their many chances.

7. Pep Guardiola's reaction before Stefan Ortega's save

Phew, that was close!

If you win four back-to-back Premier League titles, you can appear in any list more than once. On May 14, Guardiola faced a daunting task away to Tottenham - a ground he had never seen his side win a Premier League game before.

Haaland had given his side a slender lead, but Manuel Akanji's mistake allowed Heung-min Son to get into a 1v1 position with Stefan Ortega.

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Helpless and beaten, Guardiola lay prostrate on the floor and waited for the worst to happen. Ortega pulled off a magnificent save, but a few seconds earlier, Guardiola was convinced the title was gone.

8. Arsenal tempting fate with celebration plans

They really thought they would win it

Allowing a team managed by Guardiola to take command of the title race is the worst thing you can ever do. As if that lesson wasn't enough, Arsenal never heeded the advice of whoever coined the phrase, 'Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.'

Desperate to win a first league title in 20 years, Arsenal started preparations for a title parade ahead of the final day. A video of the staff rehearsing how the trophies would be presented even leaked online.

In their defence, Arsenal had to seek approvals early enough in case they won, but photos of the unused celebration props surfaced online and you know the script, rival fans didn't spare them.

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9. Manchester United's troubles and Antony memes

Antony thought he was HIM.

Manchester United have endured another turbulent season, with the club finishing eighth. They might still redeem their season if they win the FA Cup, but the fans have been taken on a rollercoaster of emotions this season.

At Selhurst Park, Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace whitewashed them 4-0 with Erik ten Hag's side offering little to no response. A Manchester United fan was picked up by the cameras deep in thought.

A few days later, Antony lit up the internet against Arsenal, but not with his performance. For a player who had scored only one goal the entire season, the Brazilian looked pumped up as he came on against the Gunners. His facial reaction has since been used to create more memes.

10. Equatorial Guinea coach's reaction to Nsue's penalty miss

Emilio, what have you done?

Emilio Nsue had already bagged five goals at AFCON 2023, and when an opportunity presented itself for him to send Equatorial Guinea to the quarter-final, everyone thought he would take it.

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Nsue stood over a penalty against Guinea but saw his effort hit the base of the goal and go out of play. His coach, Juan Micha, could not believe his eyes as he let out a rueful smirk.

See you next season, folks.

Darwin Nunez shares moment with Klopp

Sports Brief has also reported that Darwin Nunez shared a moment with Jurgen Klopp on the dance floor.

The Liverpool striker was criticised after he failed to applaud the departing manager during his farewell party at Anfield.

He, however, quickly shut down any signs of bad blood by sharing a dance with Klopp during the after party.