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, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the soccer world of 2018. That nearly three-hour tennis battle reminded me of how the best soccer players that year demonstrated similar endurance and brilliance under pressure. When we talk about definitive rankings in any sport, what we're really discussing is sustained excellence - the kind that separates good players from legendary ones.

Looking back at 2018, I've always believed this was one of those special years where the usual suspects truly earned their spots. Luka Modrić breaking the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly for the Ballon d'Or wasn't just a fluke - it was the culmination of a year where he carried Real Madrid to Champions League glory and guided Croatia to an improbable World Cup final. I remember watching that tournament thinking, "This is what midfield mastery looks like." His 71.4% pass completion rate in the tournament might not sound extraordinary, but when you consider the difficulty and significance of those passes, you understand why he stood out.

What made 2018 particularly fascinating was how traditional metrics sometimes failed to capture true impact. Mohamed Salah's 44 goals across all competitions for Liverpool were staggering, but what impressed me more was how he transformed Liverpool's entire attacking system. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus for €112 million showed that even at 33, he remained arguably the most valuable player in the world. I've always been partial to players who can single-handedly change games, and Ronaldo's Champions League performances for Real Madrid before his transfer were simply breathtaking - 15 goals in just 13 appearances tells only part of the story.

Kylian Mbappé's World Cup performance cemented his status as soccer's next global superstar. His four goals in Russia, including that stunning strike against Croatia in the final, demonstrated a maturity beyond his 19 years. Watching him play, I felt we were witnessing the dawn of a new era. The numbers backed it up too - he became the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final. Sometimes you just know when you're watching something special, and Mbappé in 2018 gave me that feeling every time he touched the ball.

Lionel Messi's 2018 might not have included major international trophies, but his 47 goal contributions in 54 appearances for Barcelona showcased why many still consider him the most technically gifted player ever. I've always valued consistency over flashy moments, and Messi's ability to deliver week after week remains unparalleled. His 18 assists in La Liga that season demonstrated his evolving role from pure scorer to complete attacker.

When I compile these rankings, I weigh big moments heavily. That's why players like Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kanté feature prominently in my 2018 list - their World Cup performances for France and club contributions for Chelsea demonstrated the perfect blend of individual brilliance and team success. Hazard's 16 goals and 15 assists for Chelsea that season, combined with his influential role in Belgium's run to the World Cup semifinals, showcased a player at his absolute peak.

Reflecting on that year, what strikes me most is how different types of excellence coexisted. From Modrić's midfield orchestration to Ronaldo's relentless goalscoring, from Mbappé's explosive emergence to Messi's consistent genius - 2018 offered a fascinating snapshot of soccer's evolving hierarchy. The debates will always continue, but for me, these players defined what made 2018 such a memorable year in soccer history.