Who Were the Best Soccer Players in 2018? A Complete Analysis

As I sat watching the 2018 World Cup highlights recently, it struck me how much the conversation around soccer excellence has evolved since that remarkable year. The debate about who were the best soccer players in 2018 isn't just about statistics—it's about moments that defined careers and changed how we perceive greatness in this beautiful game. I remember arguing with friends late into the night about whether Modrić truly deserved the Ballon d'Or over Ronaldo, or whether Mbappé's World Cup performance made him more valuable than established stars like Neymar. These discussions reminded me of another sporting contest I'd recently analyzed—that nearly three-hour marathon between Alex Eala and Varvara Lepchenko at the WTA 125 Guadalajara that ultimately couldn't produce a decisive result despite the incredible display of skill and endurance from both athletes.

What fascinates me about determining the best soccer players in 2018 is how similar it is to that tennis match in Mexico—sometimes even the most intense competition and careful analysis can't provide clear answers. While Messi and Ronaldo continued their otherworldly dominance in club football, the World Cup created new narratives that reshaped our understanding of player value. I've always believed World Cup years create unique evaluation criteria, and 2018 was no exception. Modrić's transformation from elite club midfielder to national hero demonstrated how tournament performance can elevate a player's status dramatically. His 2,228 passes completed with 89% accuracy in La Liga combined with his World Cup Golden Ball created a compelling case for his Ballon d'Or win, even though many fans still argued Ronaldo's 44 goals for Real Madrid that season made him more deserving.

The problem with identifying the best soccer players in 2018 lies in the conflicting criteria we use—do we prioritize individual statistics, team success, or transformative impact? Like that grueling tennis match where both players displayed excellence but neither could secure victory, our evaluation of soccer greatness often reaches similar stalemates. I've noticed this particularly when comparing Mbappé's explosive World Cup performance—4 goals including that brilliant strike against Argentina—with Kane's 6 goals that won him the Golden Boot but came with questions about their significance in crucial moments. My personal preference has always leaned toward players who elevate their teams in decisive situations, which is why I'd rank Modrić slightly above even the phenomenal numbers put up by Messi that year.

What we need is a more nuanced approach to evaluating soccer excellence—one that acknowledges that, much like Eala and Lepchenko's match that extended for nearly three hours without producing a clear winner, sometimes multiple players can claim the "best" title depending on which aspects of the game we value most. The solution involves creating weighted evaluation systems that consider both statistical production and qualitative impact. For 2018, this means acknowledging that while Ronaldo's 15 Champions League goals were historically significant, Modrić's leadership in guiding Croatia to their first World Cup final represented a different kind of excellence that deserved recognition.

Looking back, the lessons from 2018 continue to influence how I analyze soccer today. That year taught me that greatness manifests differently across positions and contexts—a lesson reinforced when watching competitions like that WTA 125 match where both athletes displayed championship qualities despite the inconclusive result. The debate about who were the best soccer players in 2018 ultimately enriches our understanding of the sport, reminding us that excellence isn't always about clear victories but about how players push the boundaries of what's possible. As we move further from 2018, I find myself appreciating more those players who defined that year through both measurable achievements and intangible contributions to their teams' successes.