We are in the final stretch of this exciting year 2018, which was full of good football. And to close it properly, I will make a recount of the 50 best players of the year. I want to clarify that only the calendar year will be taken into account, that is, what has been done from January to December 2018. In this last part we will reveal the positions of honor of this count, from 5 to 1.
5)Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid).
Another year dreamed for the "little Mozart". If we look at it from the obtained titles, we can say that Modric won everything at the individual and collective level: UEFA Champions League, Ballon D'Or, FIFA The Best, UEFA Best Player. The Croatian won absolutely everything and there is no doubt that his best level was shown at the Russia 2018 World Cup where he had a simply sublime and decisive performance for Croatia to reach the World Cup final. Modric had 30 days in Russia that must be framed in the history books as one of the best individual performances of the modern era in the World Cups. In addition, as he is not used to, he was the manager of Real Madrid throughout the year with his important work of making his teammates play. Seeing all his achievements during 2018 and knowing that he was recognized by almost all the specialized media as the best footballer of the year should be wondering what the hell does Modric in the 5th place of the best of 2018? There is only one reason: it simply was not the best. Already in my blog I've talked a lot about why it was not and who really deserved those awards. To repeat it again would be to rain on wet, so I will leave the links so they can access a more detailed explanation on the subject. But despite the fact that in terms of individual performance did not have its best performance, 2018 will be remembered by everyone as the year of Luka Modric. And the prizes that he now exhibits in his showcases is something that nobody can take away from him.
4)Antoine Griezmann (France, Atlético Madrid).
After a hesitant start to the season with only 5 league goals and many doubts, "The Little Prince" was able to return to its best level that we were used to in 2018. In fact, the level of Griezmann in 2018 invited us to think that Maybe he could sit at the table of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. And we do not talk about their numbers, which as of January 2018 are impressive; but of his game, of what he showed on the court and the attitude that accompanied him. The Frenchman found his best version and showed a state of plethoric form. From his hand, Simeone's team managed to secure second place in La Liga; in addition to ending up being crowned like champions of the UEFA Europa League. It should be noted that Griezmann was not only outstanding as the best player and top scorer in the competition. And all this without mentioning the 2018 World Cup. As we know, the Frenchman was crowned world champion along with the rest of the French team. "The Little Prince" achieved the not insignificant figure of 4 goals in the tournament, the most remarkable thing is that they were goals in key moments. And although it is true that he did not have a World Cup more prominent than Luka Modric's; It must be said that if we must choose the best player in a France in which the overall game predominated, that is Antoine Griezmann. His goals, his ability to sacrifice, his game for others and leadership made him the best player in France and the second best player in the World Cup. In total, Griezmann scored 39 goals throughout the year. He also won the UEFA Europa League, the European Super Cup and the Russia 2018 World Cup; in all these titles being the key player and returning to its best version.
3)Lionel Messi (Argentina, FC Barcelona).
While Lionel Messi plays football professionally in the first European level, always, he will ALWAYS be the best player in the world. Do not confuse this with being the best player of the year or the best player of the moment, they are totally different things. Nothing more to say that the Argentine ended up being a League and Copa del Rey champion with FC Barcelona, winning a double that was overshadowed by Real Madrid winning its third consecutive Champions League. In addition, Messi ended up taking the Pichichi Trophy and later with the Golden Boot of Europe, by scoring 34 league goals in the 2017-2018 season. And although it is true that at the beginning of 2018 the Argentine experienced a considerable drop in his level and goalscoring quota, a bad season of Messi would be a dream season for any other mortal. The things that happen to Rosario bill are the elimination once again in the 4th of Champions final and the very poor role of Argentina in the World Cup. Even with all this, Messi managed to score 48 goals becoming the top scorer of the calendar year in the major leagues of Europe. All this without mentioning its full start of the season that delights with a return to its best level.
2)Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool FC).
Probably the most amazing player of the year 2018. Since the end of 2017 we all realized that the Egyptian was not only a mirage, but was destined to do big things in 2018. We were not wrong. Salah 2018 has been a dream, as with his goals, dribbling and impressive careers could return Liverpool to a star plane in England and Europe. With the level that Salah showed every weekend in the Premier and midweek on European nights, we felt that Liverpool could achieve anything that was proposed. Proof of this is that Liverpool ended up reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League eliminating candidates like Manchester City, from the hand of a Salah who in role of figure appeared in each of the important moments. And if the Egyptian had not met with that unfortunate injury in the Kiev final, it would not be unreasonable to think that Liverpool would have one more Champions in their showcases. In addition, Salah managed to become the Premier League's top scorer in the 2017-2018 season. Title that got breaking a historical record, by the way. There were no other players in the 5 major leagues in Europe who scored more goals than Mohamed Salah between January and May 2018. In fact, on an individual level there was no better player than Salah in the 2017-2018 season. Only the Egyptian deserved to be awarded the UEFA Player and FIFA Best, because what he played this season was simply brutal. Counting all the year, Salah managed to score 40 goals displaying spectacular football.
1)Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid/Juventus).
I have no doubt that there was no better soccer player in the world during the year 2018 than Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro. Another historical season to the Portuguese crack stock exchange. Despite having experienced the worst start of the season during his stay at Real Madrid, Cristiano returned with everything from 2018. Until December 2017 the Portuguese had only scored 4 goals in the league, a ridiculous amount for the numbers that we have accustomed. However, the Portuguese promised that at the end of the season he would finish as Pichichi. And in a certain way he fulfilled it, because nobody in Spain scored more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo in the second quarter of the season, seeing a total of 22 times from January to May. More goals in this period than Messi, but the Argentine already had a very wide advantage of goals in the fight for the top scorer and against mathematics you can not fight. But without a doubt the great crown of the season of Cristiano was the obtaining of the UEFA Champions League. The Portuguese player was not only the top scorer of the competition, but also appeared as Real Madrid's savior in key matches of the group stage; besides practically eliminating only PSG and Juventus. The only blemish of the 2018 Portuguese was the World Cup where, despite an exciting start, Portugal ended up disappointing again. And what about his start of the season with his new club, Juventus? Maximum figure of the team and virtual Cappocannoniere of Serie A scoring goals of all shapes and colors. In addition, after the arrival of the Portuguese crack Juventus has chained the best start to the season in its history. Coincidence? I do not think so. In total, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 47 goals throughout 2018; becoming the second top scorer of the major European leagues in the calendar year. Goals, titles and outstanding performances in another dream year for Portuguese, where he was the best footballer in the world in 2018.
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