10 predictions for international football in 2019

Juventus won the Champions League after more than 20 years of waiting.The Italian team has a great opportunity this season as their competitors have all weakened.

Real Madrid has plummeted after losing Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona still has Lionel Messi but the players around him are no longer of the same quality as before. Bayern Munich is in a transitional phase, and Man City, PSG... have yet to establish their class in European competition.

The arrival of Ronaldo, the top scorer in Champions League history, further boosted Juventus' confidence. Max Allegri's team possesses all the experience, quality, and class to achieve great things.

Jose Mourinho returns to manage Real Madrid.This might come as a surprise, but it's not unreasonable for big clubs, which place their trust in managers who have already proven their class.

Santiago Solari had a good start at Real Madrid, but his reputation wasn't enough to secure support from the board members. Meanwhile, Mourinho's recent dismissal from Manchester United damaged his reputation, but he remains one of the most notable names in the coaching world. Furthermore, President Florentino Perez maintains a close relationship with and expresses admiration for Mourinho. A return to the Bernabeu would be a spectacular turning point for the Portuguese manager, bringing him back to the pinnacle of football.

Antonio Conte is considered the most suitable manager for Man Utd.Conte's rival, Mauricio Pochettino, is highly likely to continue his work at Tottenham. The Argentinian manager is in a solid position, has the support of the board, and has a talented squad at his disposal. Tottenham is also about to move into a new stadium, and a bright future awaits Pochettino.

Conte has the reputation and class to lead a big club like Man Utd. He proved his ability by bringing Juventus back to its golden age, as well as winning the Premier League in his first season with Chelsea. His ability to revitalize big clubs is an undeniable strength.

The US women's soccer team defended their 2019 World Cup title.Four years after their victory in Canada, the US remains a strong contender for this summer's tournament.

The US lost many key players after the 2015 tournament but maintained its strength thanks to a well-rounded new generation of players. The team went through 2018 with only one defeat. Opponents considered capable of stopping the defending champions included host nation France and the Netherlands.

The extinction of homegrown managers in the Premier League.When the 2019-2020 season begins, it is highly likely that the number of English managers will fall to a record low.

Sean Dyche had a successful season at Burnley, finishing seventh last year, but is now struggling at the bottom of the table. Burnley's board may sack him before it's too late, as keeping him would put the team at serious risk of relegation. Return to the Championship is not only a concern for Dyche but also for his compatriot Neil Warnock, the manager of Cardiff. Despite commendable efforts over the first half of the season, Cardiff is considered a candidate for relegation.

Barring any surprises, Roy Hodgson (Crystal Palace) and Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) will be the only two remaining homegrown managers in the Premier League next season.

PSG has lost its financial strength.The French club has become famous for its vast financial resources since falling into the hands of Qatari owners. However, they may lose their dominance in the transfer market next year due to Financial Fair Play regulations.

UEFA has reopened its investigation into PSG after several French clubs expressed anger. PSG completed two deals worth nearly half a billion dollars for Neymar and Mbappe, directly causing player values ​​to skyrocket in the last two seasons. To balance their finances, PSG had to sell several players to raise over $100 million last summer. This amount is insufficient if UEFA determines they have not met financial standards. This means that top stars like Neymar and Mbappe could leave.

Messi wins his sixth Ballon d'Or.The Argentinian striker ended 2018 with a fantastic individual record but did not win any major titles. Luka Modric, with his Champions League victory and World Cup 2018 runner-up finish, broke the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo in the Ballon d'Or awards.

Messi is enjoying a fearsome goal-scoring record this season, with 21 goals in 20 games for Barca across all competitions. The 31-year-old superstar also contributes significantly to the team's play, not only in terms of goals but also in assists and setting up chances for his teammates. Messi's outstanding performances are likely to bring him back to the Ballon d'Or title once again.

England won the Nations League.The champion of the inaugural Nations League tournament will be decided in Portugal in June 2019. The Netherlands caused a surprise by beating the two most recent World Cup champions, Germany and France, to reach the semi-finals. England and Switzerland also had to wait until the final round to secure their place in the last four, alongside the reigning European champions Portugal.

In the semi-finals, hosts Portugal will face Switzerland. This is a match where Portugal could welcome back captain Ronaldo. In the second semi-final, England's match against the Netherlands will be an opportunity for Gareth Southgate's team to demonstrate their strength. Of the four semi-finalists, England had the best performance in the 2018 World Cup. The maturation of their talented young players will be the springboard for the Three Lions to win the title in 2019.

Neymar and Brazil won the Copa America.The Samba dancers are the strongest contenders for the tournament on home soil in the summer of 2019. After the humiliating defeat in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals, Brazil has improved significantly under coach Tite. Returning home for a major tournament is the time for Neymar and his teammates to prove themselves and repay their fans.

Jurgen Klopp ended Liverpool's nearly three-decade wait for a national championship title.The last time the Merseyside club won the English league title was in the 1989-1990 season, before the Premier League era began.

Over the past 29 years, Liverpool have come close to winning the championship many times but have always stumbled. This season, the team has prepared thoroughly, strengthening their defense while maintaining the quality of their attack. The match against Man City at the beginning of the new year will be crucial for Liverpool's remaining campaign.