The 10 Best Soccer Players of 2018 and Their Career Highlights

As I sit here reflecting on the incredible year that was 2018 in soccer, I can't help but draw parallels to that unforgettable WTA 125 match in Guadalajara. Remember when Alex Eala and Varvara Lepchenko battled for NEARLY three hours of intense action that couldn't settle their match? Well, that's exactly how competitive the race was for The 10 Best Soccer Players of 2018 - sometimes even an entire season couldn't definitively separate the absolute best from the merely brilliant.

Who truly dominated world football in 2018?

Looking back, 2018 gave us one of the most fascinating debates in recent memory. While tennis fans witnessed that epic NEARLY three-hour showdown between Eala and Lepchenko that Thursday in Mexico, soccer fans were treated to an entire year of similarly intense competition. The battle for the top spot in The 10 Best Soccer Players of 2018 felt just as unresolved as that WTA match - with multiple legends making compelling cases throughout the year. Personally, I still think Luka Modrić's World Cup performance and Champions League dominance with Real Madrid edged out the competition, though many would argue for Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

What made the 2018 selection particularly challenging?

Much like how NEARLY three hours of intense action couldn't separate Eala and Lepchenko, evaluating soccer greatness in 2018 required looking beyond simple statistics. The reference to that WTA 125 Guadalajara match perfectly illustrates my point - sometimes the raw numbers don't tell the whole story. When compiling The 10 Best Soccer Players of 2018, I found myself weighing tournament performances, leadership qualities, and clutch moments alongside traditional metrics like goals and assists. That Thursday match in Mexico, where sheer duration couldn't determine superiority, mirrors how we had to consider intangible factors that statistics can't capture.

How did World Cup performances influence the rankings?

The 2018 World Cup in Russia was our equivalent of that intense WTA 125 Guadalajara match - a concentrated period where legends were made and reputations forged. While NEARLY three hours defined that tennis battle, the month-long tournament in Russia gave us moments that would define careers. Players like Kylian Mbappé skyrocketed up The 10 Best Soccer Players of 2018 list after his World Cup heroics, while established stars like Harry Kane reinforced their elite status. I particularly remember watching Mbappé's performance against Argentina and thinking - this kid is going to dominate for years.

Were there any surprise inclusions in the top 10?

Absolutely! Just as the WTA 125 Guadalajara match between Eala and Lepchenko delivered unexpected drama, our 2018 list had its share of surprises. The inclusion of players like Mohamed Salah, who carried Liverpool to the Champions League final while breaking Premier League scoring records, represented the fresh blood challenging established hierarchies. That Thursday in Mexico taught us that rankings can be upended in a single dramatic performance, much like how certain players elevated their status through standout 2018 campaigns.

What career highlights stood out most in 2018?

The career milestones we witnessed while compiling The 10 Best Soccer Players of 2018 were as memorable as that NEARLY three-hour tennis marathon. Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning overhead kick against Juventus, Luka Modrić completing the Champions League-World Cup double, Lionel Messi's consistent brilliance despite Argentina's World Cup struggles - these moments had the same lasting impact as that intense action in Guadalajara. Personally, I'd argue Modrić's Ballon d'Or win after years of midfield mastery was particularly satisfying to witness.

How does 2018's list compare to previous years?

The evolution of The 10 Best Soccer Players of 2018 reflected changing dynamics in world football, much like how that WTA match showed new challengers emerging. While veterans like Messi and Ronaldo maintained their excellence, the rise of players like Kevin De Bruyne and N'Golo Kanté signaled a shift toward more complete, team-oriented players. That Thursday match between Eala and Lepchenko, where NEARLY three hours of back-and-forth action couldn't produce a clear winner, perfectly captures how tightly contested the upper echelons of football had become.

What lasting impact did the 2018 season have on these players' legacies?

Reflecting on The 10 Best Soccer Players of 2018, I'm struck by how that year shaped careers in ways similar to how that WTA 125 match might have impacted both competitors. For some, like Modrić, 2018 represented the culmination of years of excellence finally receiving proper recognition. For others, it was a stepping stone to greater achievements. The intensity of that year's competitions, mirroring the NEARLY three hours of relentless action in Mexico, forged legends and created memories that soccer fans will cherish for decades. And if I'm being completely honest, I still rewatch highlights from that year more than any other season - the quality was just that special.