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The beautiful game of football continued to grow in stature and splendor over the course of 2018. With the passing of another year, the sport has granted us unforgettable moments almost every day.
From the goals that left our jaws on the floor to the injury time winners, from the heroic last-ditch challenges to stellar saves, the year 2018 had it all.
The football fraternity will feel it was glued to the edge of their seats for 365 days, such was the brand of football this year. We saw massive moments throughout, but a few were worthy enough to be stapled in the history books forever.
And what better way to illustrate those indelible footballing moments, than through pictures? As they say, a picture speaks a 1000 words.
On that note, let's take a look at 5 images that summarize football in 2018.
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus switch
After nine splendid seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, Cristiano Ronaldo left us all flummoxed by opting to play for Italian powerhouse Juventus.
With 450 goals in 438 appearances for Los Blancos, Ronaldo became the poster boy of the sport. After spearheading his side to a third successive Champions League title, hardly anyone would have, even in their wildest dreams, thought that Ronaldo would move away from Real Madrid.
However, the Portuguese superstar decided to sign a contract with Max Allegri's side because he apparently didn't quite feel what he felt when he first joined the Galacticos. He did not 'feel wanted' anymore.
The statement that left us bewildered read:
“Real Madrid CF communicates that, in response to the will and request expressed by the player Cristiano Ronaldo, he has agreed to transfer to Juventus FC.”
Ronaldo penned a four-year deal that sees him pocket £26.5 million per season. He took 320 odd minutes to grab his first goal for the club, but since then, the star man hasn't looked back.
The 33-year-old has, thus far, netted 13 goals and created 7 more for the Old Lady, and his switch to Turin is the 5th most memorable image in our list.
#4 Real Madrid's third consecutive UCL triumph
At the start of the 2017-18 campaign, Real Madrid were far off the pace in terms of their approach towards the title race. With Barcelona consistently victorious, the LaLiga title was certain to switch from Madrid to Catalonia.
However, Zidane and co. took giant strides in their UEFA Champions League campaign and blew away opponents comprehensively. They were drawn in the toughest group that comprised world-class opponents in Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund.
Despite that, the European giants progressed and upstaged fellow contenders Paris Saint-Germain (round of 16), Juventus (quarterfinals) and Bayern Munich (semi-finals) to set up a final against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. Quite a journey, ain't it?
A couple of errors from Loris Karius added to Gareth Bale's staggering bicycle-kick ensured a 3-1 victory over the Reds, and a record third consecutive UCL triumph.
This remarkable Champions League story of Real Madrid is definitely a major highlight of football in 2018.
#3 Luka Modric's memorable 2018
Luka Modric wrote his own headlines and taught the world that absolutely nothing is impossible. Coming from a poor family that suffered during the war, the Real Madrid midfielder completed a fairytale by carrying his Croatian side to the World Cup final.
He was a symbol of solidity in the three-man midfield as he racked up passes, interchanged key positions with teammates, took charge of set-piece duties, scored goals, created goals, captained the side and did everything else in between!
Let's not forget, a few months prior to his World Cup exploits, Modric had lifted the Champions League trophy for the third time in a row. Last but not least, he ended 2018 on a high, winning the Club World Cup with Los Blancos.
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, representation in the FIFA World Cup Dream Team, Best FIFA Men's Player. IFFHS World's Best Playmaker, Ballon d'Or 2018; One Luka Modric.
#2 Pep Guardiola's centurions
This picture definitely tells the entire Premier League story, but yet it can barely describe Manchester City's 2017-18 season.
The Premier League is vastly known for its pacy football, competitiveness and unpredictable nature. Well, Pep Guardiola, in his second season, buried every single opponent. The Cityzens went from strength to strength as the season progressed and tore records apart.
It might take a half-dozen thousand words to list down the number of records they broke and we might still miss out on a few. They scored 106 goals, shipped just 27 and finished on 100 points. That's just one part of their dominance. The record of 30 wins in a season previously set by Antonio Conte's Chelsea was broken too.
Guardiola and co. demolished opponents and when the tough days arrived, dug results out, just like how champions do.
Moreover, the team set standards and definitely improved the level of the Premier League.
#1 Didier Deschamps completes the double at the World Cup
There's your annual back page headline! What a moment it was, for the France national team.
Up against world-class teams such as Belgium, Brazil and many others who were tipped to challenge for the most prestigious prize in football, France beat all odds, overcame various obstacles and went all the way. In a tournament full of upsets and tricky storylines, Didier Deschamps' side held their nerve, stuck to the basics, played to their strengths and arguably, outclassed every opposition.
The inclusion of Blaise Matuidi in midfield was undoubtedly a tactical masterclass. Not only did it allow a free role to Pogba and Griezmann, but also enticed Mbappe to operate from his favored wide positions.
As far as Didier Deschamps is concerned, he won it as a player in 1998, and then masterminded his troops to the World Cup crown as a manager. Take a bow, legend.
