Who Were the Best Soccer Players in 2018? Our Definitive Ranking

As I sat watching that incredible WTA 125 match between Alex Eala and Varvara Lepchenko in Guadalajara last Thursday, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the soccer world of 2018. That nearly three-hour tennis battle that couldn't produce a decisive winner reminded me of how difficult it is to definitively rank soccer players across different positions and leagues. When we talk about the best soccer players in 2018, we're essentially trying to compare athletes whose contributions manifest in completely different ways - much like comparing a baseline specialist to a serve-and-volley expert in tennis.

Looking back at 2018, I've always believed Cristiano Ronaldo deserved the top spot, and I'll tell you why. His Champions League performance with Real Madrid was nothing short of spectacular - 15 goals in just 13 appearances, including that breathtaking overhead kick against Juventus that even opposition fans applauded. What many people overlook is how he carried Portugal through the World Cup qualifiers, scoring 15 goals in 9 matches. While Messi's technical brilliance is undeniable, Ronaldo's ability to deliver in crucial moments, especially during that Champions League campaign, gives him the edge in my book. I remember watching that quarterfinal against Juventus and thinking I was witnessing something truly historic.

Luka Modrić breaking the Messi-Ronaldo Ballon d'Or duopoly was one of the most significant moments of 2018, and frankly, I thought it was long overdue. His control of midfield during Croatia's stunning World Cup run to the final was masterclass material. What impressed me most was his incredible 2,722 passes completed in La Liga with a 90% success rate - numbers that still astonish me when I look back at the statistics. Having watched Modrić evolve over the years, his 2018 performance felt like the culmination of everything he'd been building toward.

Kylian Mbappé's emergence was like watching a supernova explode across the soccer universe. His World Cup final performance against Croatia, becoming only the second teenager after Pelé to score in a final, was absolutely electrifying. I recall watching him blaze past experienced defenders thinking he was playing at a different speed than everyone else. His 13 goals in just 12 Champions League appearances for PSG that year demonstrated he wasn't just a flash in the pan but the real deal.

Mohamed Salah's 2018 deserves special mention, particularly that incredible 44-goal season that shattered numerous Premier League records. What often gets forgotten is how he maintained this form while carrying Egypt to their first World Cup in 28 years. I've always felt his contribution that year was somewhat undervalued in the global conversation, possibly because Liverpool fell short in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.

Reflecting on these players takes me back to that intense tennis match in Mexico - different styles, different strengths, but all operating at the highest level of their craft. The debate about 2018's best will likely continue much like that unresolved tennis match, but for me, Ronaldo's clutch performances in high-stakes situations give him the slightest of edges over his phenomenal contemporaries. Each of these athletes brought something unique to the beautiful game that year, creating memories that continue to resonate with fans like myself years later.