2016 has been a tough year to say the least. From many natural disasters to divisive politics to the loss of some amazing performing artists, 2016 is a year that will go down as one that tested our hopes and dreams. However; despite all the negativity that constantly pervades us, sports still gives us stories that can inspire us. That was especially true with soccer this year.

1. The response from the soccer world after the Chapecoense plane incident.

Despite the horrific news of the Chapecoense plane incident just over a month ago. The soccer world continues to pour it's heart out and unite in ways that I have never seen in my short time as a soccer fan. From the continued friendship by Athletico Nacional and Chapecoense fans to the vigils taking place in almost every country around the world to the generous financial donations given to Chape by clubs from Brazil and around the world. The response from the soccer world after the Chapecoense plane incident continues to give me hope that human society is not always prone to conflict. The response by the soccer world after the plane crash displayed that when given the chance, we can all unite and look past our differences. That is something to be proud of.

2. Leicester City's amazing title run.

This story is truly something out of a fairly tale. How could a team of misfits and nobody's come together and defeat the established superstar squads of the Premier League? This was the question pro soccer pundits continued to ask as the Foxes from a city of around 200,000 took the title away from the established giants of Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal. Leaving the soccer world stunned and giving all small clubs around the world hope that one day they can do the same feat in their own respective leagues.

Perhaps the coolest part of this amazing title run was the fact that the likes of Jamie Vardy, Danny Drinkwater, and Riyad Mahrez came out of nowhere and blew away the competition for one magical season, when it seemed like no one could defeat the Foxes from the midlands of England. It was truly a magical season to watch.

3. RB Leipzig's quick rise through the German soccer landscape.

The East of Germany since the reunification has been a soccer wasteland. Most of the great teams in Germany are in the West, where the economy is stronger. Due to these financial constraints in the East, most of the teams since reunification are languishing in the lower divisions of German football. However; all that changed this year.

RassbenBallen Sport Leipzig entered the Bundesliga this year after 5 promotions through the German football pyramid in just 7 years! The team was founded in 2009 when Red Bull (the energy drink company) bought the license of a small club called SSV Markenstadt.

Thanks to Red Bull's "bottomless pit of money" the team has climbed the ranks of German football, bringing much controversy along with it. This is due to the fact that Germany is known for it's fan owned structure, which allows private interests to harmonize with the interests of the fans. This is why most German clubs are fairly stable financially compared to clubs in the rest of Europe. Though Red Bull Leipzig seem to have violated these norms in German football since it's inception.

Given the controversy, its hard to look at the positives of the situation. However; this season RB Leipzig has competed with the likes of Bayern Munich for the championship, bringing back much needed competition to a league that has been dominated by the Bavarian giants in recent years.

Though perhaps the most positive thing about the situation is the fact that Leipzig and the east of Germany finally has a club that can flourish in the top division of German football, something that has eluded the East since reunification.

4. Mamelodi Sundowns crowned as African champions despite getting knocked out twice.

The African champions league in the past decade has been dominated by North african teams. Clubs from other large nations like South Africa, Nigeria, and Congo have come close but have often failed to dethrone the powerful North African clubs from Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.

This year however all that changed as for the first time in almost twenty years, a South African club was crowned champion of Africa.

The path to glory for Mamelodi however was not straightforward. Mamelodi actually got knocked out by Congolese club AS Vita in the playoff round of the tournament by away goals. Mamelodi then dropped down to the CAF Confederation Cup playoff round where they were then knocked out again by Ghanian club Medeama on away goals! However; weeks later it was announced that AS Vita fielded an ineligible player, therefore giving Mamelodi a chance to compete in the group stages of the CAF Champions League.

From there they finished top of their group with Egyptian giants Zamalek. In the semi-finals they beat ZESCO United, a club from Zimbabwe, which got passed Egyptian giants Al-Ahly in order to get to the semi-finals.

In the CAF Champions League finals, Mamelodi got out to a large 3-0 lead in Pretoria during the first leg and held on in Cairo in the second leg to win 3-1 on aggregate, crowning the South African club champions of Africa.

Hopefully, Mamelodi's triumph represents a shift in Africa's premier club competition away from the dominance of the superior North African clubs... Only time will tell.

5. Brazil's gold medal in the Rio Olympics.

Brazil hosted the Rio Olympics this year. Meaning that the Brazilian national team needed a way to erase the disappointment of the 2014 World Cup and please a nation in need of positivity.

The young squad filled with future superstars (like both Gabriel strikers) lead by the creative forces of Neymar dominated the Olympics and ultimately the nation of Brazil got their redemption after a disappointing display at the World Cup.

It was Brazil's first world cup and another trophy to add to the trophy cabinet. Given the political and economic circumstances the country is in, this was perhaps one of the most positive moments the country has had in a while.

I think most of us can agree, 2016 was a very negative year but once in a while sports can give us something positive and inspiring to hold onto as we move along through our busy lives.