Top 10 Soccer Players 2017: Ranking the Year's Most Dominant Football Stars
Looking back at the 2017 football season, I still get chills remembering how certain players completely redefined what dominance on the pitch looks like. As someone who's followed football religiously for over two decades, I've developed a keen eye for spotting those special talents who don't just play the game but actually transform it. This was particularly evident when analyzing the top 10 soccer players of 2017, a year that saw established legends cement their status while new forces emerged to challenge the hierarchy.
Cristiano Ronaldo undoubtedly topped my list, and frankly, I don't think there was any real debate here. The man was simply unstoppable, leading Real Madrid to both La Liga and Champions League glory while bagging the Ballon d'Or with what felt like inevitable authority. His 42 goals across all competitions don't even tell the full story - it was his clutch performances in crucial moments that separated him from everyone else. Right behind him was Lionel Messi, whose creative genius reached new heights even as Barcelona's team success slightly lagged behind their standards. Watching Messi that year was like witnessing pure football artistry - his 54 goals and 16 assists across all competitions were almost criminal in their brilliance.
What fascinated me most about 2017 was how certain players perfectly complemented their teams' systems, much like the observation about Jack filling "the big man role that they need" from our reference material. This was particularly true for players like N'Golo Kanté, who might not have generated flashy headlines but was absolutely essential to Chelsea's Premier League triumph. His relentless midfield presence provided the perfect foundation for more attacking players to flourish. Similarly, Luka Modrić's elegant control of Real Madrid's midfield created the platform for Ronaldo's goal-scoring exploits. These players proved that dominance isn't always about scoring spectacular goals - sometimes it's about being the perfect cog in a well-oiled machine.
The emergence of younger talents like Kylian Mbappé brought an exciting dimension to the year's narrative. His explosive performances for Monaco, particularly in the Champions League, signaled the arrival of football's next superstar. I remember watching his stunning display against Manchester City and thinking we were witnessing the birth of a legend. At just 18 years old, he scored 26 goals that season and demonstrated a maturity beyond his years. Meanwhile, established stars like Robert Lewandowski continued their relentless goal-scoring marches, netting 43 goals for Bayern Munich with almost mechanical efficiency.
Looking at the defensive side, Sergio Ramos continued to demonstrate why he's arguably the most influential defender of his generation. His leadership and crucial goals, including several vital headers in important matches, made him indispensable for Real Madrid. Gianluigi Buffon, though nearing the end of his career, reminded everyone why he's considered among the greatest goalkeepers ever, leading Juventus to another Serie A title while reaching the Champions League final. His organization of Juventus' legendary defense was a masterclass in positional awareness and leadership.
Reflecting on that remarkable year, what stands out to me isn't just individual brilliance but how these players fit into their teams' broader systems. The observation about being "the perfect complement" resonates deeply when analyzing why certain players dominated in 2017. Football, after all, remains the ultimate team sport, and the most dominant players are those who elevate everyone around them while delivering exceptional individual performances. The 2017 season gave us a perfect blend of established greatness and emerging talent, creating a narrative that will be discussed for years to come among football enthusiasts like myself.