Best Soccer Players 2018: Ranking the Top Football Legends of the Year

As I sat watching the thrilling WTA 125 match between Alex Eala and Varvara Lepchenko in Guadalajara last Thursday, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the world of soccer. Just like that nearly three-hour tennis marathon that ultimately couldn't separate two incredible athletes, ranking the best soccer players of 2018 presents similar challenges - how do you objectively measure greatness when so many players are performing at such extraordinary levels?

Looking back at 2018, I've always believed Lionel Messi deserved the top spot, and I'll tell you why. While Cristiano Ronaldo had his moments, particularly in the Champions League, Messi's consistency throughout the entire year was simply breathtaking. He scored 45 goals in all competitions for Barcelona, creating 18 assists that demonstrated his complete offensive package. What many people overlook is how he elevated his teammates' performances - something I've noticed truly exceptional players do. When you watch Messi play, it's not just about the statistics; it's about how he controls the tempo of the game, how he sees passes that others don't, and how he makes the impossible look routine.

The middle of my 2018 ranking gets particularly interesting, and this is where personal preference really comes into play. I'd place Luka Modrić in second position, not just because he won the Ballon d'Or that year, but because his performance in Croatia's incredible World Cup run showcased something we rarely see - a midfielder completely dominating the biggest stage in football. His 2 goals and 1 assist in the tournament don't tell the full story; it was his 86% pass completion rate and how he orchestrated every attack that made him special. Then we have Mohamed Salah, who had that phenomenal season with Liverpool, scoring 44 goals across all competitions. I remember watching him that year and thinking we were witnessing something historic - his pace and finishing were simply unreal.

Now, here's where I might differ from many analysts - I'd put N'Golo Kanté in my top five. I know, I know, he doesn't have the flashy numbers, but having watched him play week in and week out, his impact on Chelsea and the French national team was immeasurable. He averaged 3.1 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per match in the Premier League, but more importantly, he covered spaces that others couldn't, broke up opposition attacks, and started counter-attacks that led to crucial goals. Sometimes we get too caught up in goals and assists, forgetting that defensive excellence can be just as beautiful and impactful.

As we round out the top players of 2018, I can't help but think about how different this list would have looked just a few years earlier. The emergence of players like Kylian Mbappé, who at just 19 scored 4 goals in the World Cup and netted 39 times for PSG, signaled a changing of the guard. His performance against Argentina in the World Cup round of 16, where he became only the second teenager after Pelé to score twice in a World Cup match, was one of those moments where you knew you were watching a future legend in the making.

Reflecting on that intense tennis match in Guadalajara and comparing it to soccer's 2018 season reminds me that greatness comes in different forms. Some players dominate through sheer goal-scoring prowess, others through creative genius, and some through defensive mastery. What made 2018 particularly special was how all these different types of excellence converged, creating one of the most memorable years in recent football history. The debates will continue, of course - that's part of what makes football so compelling - but looking back, I feel privileged to have witnessed such an incredible display of talent across the beautiful game.