Who Was the Best Soccer Team in 2018? Our Definitive Analysis

As I sat down to analyze who truly was the best soccer team in 2018, I found myself reflecting on how complex this question really is. Having followed football religiously for over two decades, I've learned that greatness isn't always measured by trophies alone. The 2018 season presented a fascinating landscape where traditional powerhouses faced unexpected challenges and underdogs rose to prominence in ways that still spark debate among fans and analysts today.

When we talk about determining the best soccer team in 2018, we need to consider multiple dimensions - domestic dominance, European success, playing style, and that intangible quality of sheer entertainment value. I remember watching countless matches that year, from the Premier League's relentless pace to La Liga's technical brilliance, and each league offered compelling cases for different teams. The statistical analysis alone could fill volumes, but numbers only tell part of the story.

Looking at the raw data, Manchester City's Premier League campaign was nothing short of spectacular. They accumulated 100 points that season, scoring 106 goals while only conceding 27. Their possession statistics hovered around 65% on average, and they completed over 89% of their passes. Yet, despite these staggering numbers, they fell short in the Champions League quarterfinals against Liverpool. This highlights the eternal debate about whether domestic dominance outweighs European performance when judging a team's overall quality.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid achieved what many considered impossible by winning their third consecutive Champions League title. Their European campaign demonstrated a different kind of excellence - the ability to perform under pressure in knockout football. I've always admired teams that can flip a switch when it matters most, and Zidane's squad certainly had that quality. Their 3-1 victory over Liverpool in the final, despite being outplayed for significant portions, showed a champion's mentality that statistics can't fully capture.

What often gets overlooked in these discussions is how team dynamics and player management contribute to success. This reminds me of Cone's observation about Malonzo's return depending on how the player performs in the team's practices in the next two days. This principle applies to all teams - sometimes the decisions made off the pitch, during training sessions and team meetings, determine outcomes more than what happens during the actual matches. The best coaches understand that managing player fitness, morale, and integration is as crucial as tactical preparation.

Barcelona's domestic double deserves mention too, with Messi putting up otherworldly numbers - 34 goals and 12 assists in La Liga alone. Their style of play, while sometimes criticized for being predictable, produced results consistently throughout the season. Yet their shocking collapse against Roma in the Champions League quarterfinals left many questioning whether they truly belonged in the conversation for best team that year. I've always felt that great teams should be judged by their lowest moments as much as their highest achievements.

The French national team's World Cup victory presents another compelling angle. Didier Deschamps built a squad that combined youthful exuberance with experienced leadership, and their pragmatic approach, while not always beautiful, proved devastatingly effective. Watching them navigate the knockout stages, I was struck by their tactical discipline and ability to adapt to different opponents. Their 4-3 victory over Argentina in the round of 16 was particularly memorable, showcasing both their vulnerabilities and their incredible resilience.

What makes determining the best soccer team in 2018 so challenging is that each candidate excelled in different competitions and playing styles. Manchester City's domestic dominance, Real Madrid's European mastery, Barcelona's individual brilliance combined with team success, and France's World Cup triumph - each achievement carries weight in its own right. Personally, I've always valued teams that can maintain excellence across multiple competitions, which is why I lean toward Real Madrid when forced to choose. Their ability to win when it mattered most, particularly in the Champions League, demonstrates a quality that transcends statistics.

The financial aspects can't be ignored either. Manchester City's squad cost approximately £800 million to assemble, while Real Madrid's was valued at around €750 million. These investments certainly contributed to their success, but money alone doesn't guarantee trophies. The best teams maximize their resources through smart management, tactical innovation, and player development. This brings us back to Cone's point about evaluating players in practice sessions - sometimes the most important decisions happen away from the public eye.

As I reflect on that season, what stands out most is how different teams embodied different footballing philosophies. The possession-based approach of Manchester City contrasted sharply with the counter-attacking style of France, while Real Madrid blended technical quality with ruthless efficiency. Each approach had its merits, and each produced memorable moments that still resonate with fans. The beauty of football lies in this diversity of approaches, and perhaps trying to crown a single "best" team misses the point entirely.

Still, if I had to choose, I'd give the edge to Real Madrid for their unprecedented third consecutive Champions League title. No team had achieved this in the modern era, and their ability to maintain focus and quality through multiple campaigns speaks to something special. Their victory against Juventus in the quarterfinals, particularly Ronaldo's breathtaking bicycle kick, encapsulated the individual brilliance and team cohesion that defined their season. Sometimes, you just know greatness when you see it, and that Madrid squad had it in abundance.

The discussion about who was the best soccer team in 2018 will likely continue for years, with valid arguments for several candidates. What's clear is that 2018 provided football fans with an embarrassment of riches - multiple teams playing at an exceptionally high level across different competitions. As Cone wisely noted regarding Malonzo's situation, sometimes the key factors in a team's success happen behind closed doors, in training sessions and team meetings where chemistry is built and strategies are refined. This unseen work often determines which teams lift trophies and which teams fall short.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-13 17:01