The 5 footballers who left us enthralled in 2018
2018 is almost over, and it is a fair time to look back upon the eventful year and see what football has given us. With this being the World Cup year, it was simply extra special for all football fans. But who were the footballers who managed to impress us the most this year? Here's a look at five of them.
Griezmann has played an enormous role for club and country
Antoine Griezmann impressed the world in 2018 with his performances for Atletico Madrid and France. The 27-year-old forward played an important part in France's World Cup-winning campaign, scoring four goals and helping his team with his high work-rate. He also won the UEFA Europa League and Super Cup with Atletico, scoring 29 goals in the season. Griezmann came third in the Ballon d'Or list.
The 20-year-old has started etching his name among the greats
Probably France's best player in their World Cup winning campaign, Kylian Mbappe has emerged as a force to be reckoned with. His defense-decimating runs were a threat to their every opposition and his goal in the World Cup final made him the only player after Pele to achieve this feat. Mbappe also played a huge role in PSG lifting the 2017-18 Ligue 1 title.
Champions League's greatest-ever marksman was at it again
When we talk about the present greats, Ronaldo will always make his name heard, and he did so again this year, scoring 15 goals in Real Madrid's Champions League-winning campaign. His brilliant hat-trick in Portugal's match against Spain in the World Cup helped Ronaldo solidify his position as one of the best. He also became the fastest Juventus player ever to reach the 10-goals mark.
The incomparable Lionel Messi helped Barcelona to a domestic double
Lionel Messi is a name that will be taken when talking about the greatest footballers ever, and it is no surprise he finds himself yet again among the best players of the year. Messi was Europe's top-scorer in 2018, and not only guided Barcelona to a La Liga and Copa Del Rey victory, but also single-handedly took Argentina to the World Cup.
The conductor of the orchestra, Modric was simply the best
Winner of the Champions League, World Cup runners-up, winner of the Ballon d'Or, FIFA Best Male Player of 2018 and the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award. Enough said? Not really, as Modric's contributions cannot be measured until we watch him perform magic on the field, finding spaces unseen, which are unfathomable to others. He's simply a visionary, and surely 2018's best footballer.
