Who Were the Best Soccer Players of 2018? Find Out Now

As I sat watching the thrilling WTA 125 Guadalajara match between Alex Eala and Varvara Lepchenko that stretched for nearly three hours without producing a winner, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the soccer world of 2018. Just like that intense tennis battle that captivated audiences in Mexico, the football landscape that year featured several extraordinary talents who left us breathless with their performances. Having followed football religiously for over two decades, I've developed a keen eye for distinguishing truly exceptional players from merely good ones, and 2018 presented us with some genuinely remarkable talents.

When we talk about the best soccer players of 2018, the conversation absolutely must begin with Luka Modrić. What this Croatian magician achieved that year still gives me chills when I think about it. He didn't just win the Ballon d'Or—he shattered the decade-long Messi-Ronaldo duopoly in the most spectacular fashion possible. His performance in Russia during the World Cup was nothing short of legendary, carrying his nation to the final with a display of midfield mastery I haven't seen since Zidane's prime. The statistics back this up too—he covered approximately 72 kilometers throughout the tournament, completed 89% of his passes, and created 18 clear scoring opportunities. But numbers alone can't capture the sheer artistry of his game; the way he controlled matches felt like watching a conductor leading a symphony orchestra.

Then we have Kylian Mbappé, who at just 19 years old announced himself to the world in the most emphatic way possible. I remember watching France's match against Argentina and feeling like I was witnessing the birth of a new era in football. His explosive pace that left experienced defenders looking like they were moving in slow motion, his clinical finishing, and that incredible composure under pressure—it was all there. He became the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final, netting 4 goals throughout the tournament and completing 32 successful dribbles. What impressed me most wasn't just his raw talent, but his football intelligence that seemed years beyond his age.

We can't discuss 2018 without mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning start to the year. His performance against Spain in the World Cup group stage, where he scored a breathtaking hat-trick including that magnificent free-kick, remains one of the most dominant individual displays I've ever seen. Though Portugal didn't go all the way, Ronaldo proved why he remained at the absolute pinnacle of the sport, scoring 49 goals for club and country that year despite being 33 years old. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi continued to produce magic, though Barcelona's Champions League disappointment and Argentina's struggles somewhat overshadowed his typically phenomenal 47-goal campaign.

What made 2018 particularly fascinating for me was the emergence of several players who elevated their games to world-class level. Mohamed Salah's incredible 44-goal season for Liverpool, including 32 in the Premier League, was simply extraordinary to watch week in and week out. His devastating speed and clinical finishing reminded me of a young Cristiano Ronaldo, and he genuinely carried Liverpool's attack for significant portions of that campaign. Then there was Eden Hazard, who in my opinion delivered his finest individual season, contributing 17 goals and 13 assists for Chelsea while being virtually unplayable in one-on-one situations.

Looking back at that year, what strikes me is how the definition of "best player" evolved beyond just goal scorers. Players like N'Golo Kanté redefined what midfield excellence could look like with his incredible work rate and ball-winning abilities, while Kevin De Bruyne's creative mastery for Manchester City—where he provided 16 assists and created 104 chances—showcased a different kind of football genius. The diversity of exceptional talent across different positions made 2018 one of the most interesting years in recent memory for football enthusiasts like myself.

Ultimately, while individual brilliance shone brightly throughout 2018, what made these players truly special was their ability to elevate their teams in crucial moments. Much like that marathon tennis match in Guadalajara that tested both physical endurance and mental fortitude, the best footballers of that year demonstrated not just technical excellence but remarkable character and resilience. Reflecting on their achievements helps us appreciate why we fell in love with this beautiful game in the first place—those moments of pure genius that leave us speechless and create memories that last forever.