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

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 clear winner, it struck me how similar the world of soccer felt in 2018. That year, we witnessed multiple players delivering performances that could easily be compared to that marathon tennis match - full of intensity, skill, and moments of pure brilliance that left fans debating long after the final whistle. Having followed football religiously for over two decades, I've rarely seen a year with so many legitimate contenders for the title of "best player," making 2018 particularly fascinating to analyze.

When we talk about 2018's standout performers, we must begin with Luka Modrić, who broke the decade-long Messi-Ronaldo duopoly by winning both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA's Best Men's Player award. His performance in Russia during Croatia's stunning World Cup run was nothing short of magical - covering approximately 13 kilometers per match while maintaining a 91% pass completion rate according to FIFA's technical study group. What impressed me most wasn't just his technical ability but his incredible endurance, reminiscent of that grueling three-hour tennis match in Mexico where both players refused to yield. Modrić seemed to operate at peak performance regardless of how many minutes he'd played, controlling matches with an almost supernatural calmness that separated him from his peers.

Then we have Kylian Mbappé, who at just 19 became the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final. His explosive pace and clinical finishing made him arguably the most exciting young talent we've seen since Ronaldo Nazário. I remember watching France's match against Argentina where he single-handedly dismantled their defense, covering 40 meters in just 4.7 seconds during one breathtaking counterattack. While statistics show he averaged a goal every 98 minutes in Ligue 1, what the numbers don't capture is the sheer terror he instilled in defenders whenever he received the ball in space. His 2018 was the football equivalent of watching a prodigy arrive on the world stage and immediately dominate.

We cannot discuss 2018 without mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning Champions League campaign, particularly his overhead kick against Juventus that even drew applause from the home fans. Though he was 33 at the time, his athleticism seemed to defy age, scoring 15 goals in that season's Champions League alone. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi continued to produce moments of genius, finishing as Europe's top scorer with 45 goals across all competitions despite Barcelona's Champions League disappointment. Personally, I'd argue Mohamed Salah deserves special recognition for his record-breaking 44-goal season with Liverpool, including 32 in the Premier League - the most in a 38-game season at that time.

What made 2018 unique in my view was how the definition of "best" expanded beyond just goalscorers. Players like N'Golo Kanté redefined what excellence meant in defensive positions, with his incredible work rate seeing him cover nearly 14 kilometers per match while making an average of 4.3 tackles. Watching Kanté was like witnessing that relentless tennis match where endurance and consistency ultimately defined greatness as much as flashy moments. The year proved that football had evolved beyond individual brilliance to appreciate complete players who contributed across all phases of the game.

Looking back, 2018 represented a transitional period where established legends continued to excel while new stars emerged to challenge their dominance. The debates about who truly was the best player that year continue to rage among fans and pundits alike, much like that unforgettable tennis match in Mexico that remained undecided after nearly three hours of play. While Modrić took the official honors, my personal vote goes to Mbappé for how dramatically he announced his arrival on the global stage, but I completely understand arguments for any of these extraordinary athletes. What's undeniable is that 2018 gave us one of the most diverse and talented groups of top players we've seen in modern football.