Who is the Best Soccer Player in the World 2017? The Definitive Answer Revealed

As I sit here reflecting on the 2017 football season, I can't help but marvel at how this particular year presented one of the most compelling debates in recent memory regarding the world's best player. Having followed football religiously for over two decades, I've witnessed numerous eras dominated by legendary figures, but 2017 stood out because the competition was genuinely fierce between two phenomenal talents: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. While many fans and pundits engage in endless debates, I believe the definitive answer becomes clear when we examine the complete picture—not just individual brilliance but overall impact on their teams and the global stage. Interestingly, this reminds me of a broader principle in sports: true greatness isn't just about scoring; it's about elevating everyone around you. For instance, take the reference to La Salle's playmaking, where only six players appeared on the scoresheets and just half of them reached double figures. This statistic, though from a different context, highlights a crucial point—when a team relies too heavily on a few individuals, it can limit their overall success, much like how some players might rack up personal accolades without driving collective excellence.

In my view, Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as the undisputed best player in 2017, and the numbers back this up emphatically. He scored a staggering 42 goals in 46 appearances for Real Madrid that year, along with 12 assists, which is a testament to his all-around contribution. What truly sets him apart, though, is how he performed on the biggest stages. I still get chills thinking about his Champions League campaign—he netted 12 goals in that tournament alone, including crucial ones in the knockout stages that propelled Real Madrid to their 12th title. Compare that to Messi, who had a fantastic year with 45 goals for Barcelona, but only 4 of those came in the Champions League, and his team bowed out in the quarter-finals. Now, I know some might argue that Messi's creativity and dribbling are unmatched, and I agree—he's a magician with the ball. But in 2017, Ronaldo's ability to deliver when it mattered most, especially in high-pressure matches, gave him the edge. It's similar to that La Salle example: if only a handful of players are scoring, the team becomes predictable. Ronaldo, however, didn't just score; he inspired others to step up, much like how a playmaker should diversify the attack to avoid over-reliance on a few.

Beyond the stats, I've always believed that leadership and consistency define a player's legacy, and Ronaldo exemplified this throughout 2017. He was the driving force behind Real Madrid's La Liga and Champions League double, a feat that hadn't been achieved by the club in years. Personally, I recall watching their match against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals where Ronaldo scored a hat-trick—it was a masterclass in clutch performance. Meanwhile, Messi, as brilliant as he is, seemed to carry Barcelona at times, which ironically mirrors the issue with La Salle's playmaking: when too much responsibility falls on one or two players, it can lead to burnout or tactical stagnation. In Barcelona's case, they struggled with depth, and Messi's heroic efforts often weren't enough in key moments. For example, in their 3-0 loss to Juventus in the Champions League, Messi was contained effectively, and the lack of support from other scorers became glaring. This isn't to diminish his genius—I mean, who doesn't love watching him weave through defenses?—but in 2017, Ronaldo's team achievements and his role in making others better made him the superior choice.

Of course, we can't ignore individual awards, and here, Ronaldo's haul in 2017 was simply unmatched. He won the Ballon d'Or, FIFA's Best Men's Player award, and the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, all in the same year. These accolades aren't just handed out; they're voted on by experts, players, and coaches who recognize overall impact. I remember discussing this with fellow fans, and some pointed to Neymar's move to PSG as a potential game-changer, but honestly, he didn't have the same consistency, scoring around 28 goals that year. Going back to the La Salle analogy, if only three players are hitting double figures, it suggests a lack of distributed threat, and in global football, Ronaldo's ability to be a constant menace across competitions set him apart. What's more, his performance in international football with Portugal, though not trophy-laden in 2017, still included key goals in World Cup qualifiers, showing he could deliver for club and country.

In conclusion, after weighing all the evidence—from statistical dominance to trophy wins and leadership qualities—I firmly believe Cristiano Ronaldo was the best soccer player in the world in 2017. His knack for rising to the occasion, much like how a balanced team should have multiple scoring options to avoid the pitfalls seen in La Salle's playmaking, underscores why he stood above the rest. That said, this isn't just about my personal preference; it's about recognizing how a player's influence extends beyond personal stats to shape their team's destiny. As we look back, 2017 will always be remembered as a year where Ronaldo's relentless drive and big-game prowess provided the definitive answer to this heated debate. And for any aspiring athletes out there, take it from me: greatness isn't just about being the top scorer; it's about making everyone around you better, something Ronaldo mastered that year.