The Definitive List of Top 10 Soccer Players Who Dominated 2017 Season

Looking back at the 2017 soccer season, I still get chills remembering how certain players completely redefined what dominance on the pitch looks like. As someone who’s followed the sport professionally for over a decade, I can confidently say that year stood out not just for individual brilliance, but for how perfectly certain players complemented their teams—much like how Jack, in that memorable analysis I once read, was described as "the perfect complement" filling "the big man role" needed. That idea of fitting a crucial role while elevating everyone around you became my lens for evaluating true dominance in 2017.

Starting with Cristiano Ronaldo, his performance was nothing short of historic. He netted 42 goals across all competitions for Real Madrid, and watching him in the Champions League final was like witnessing a masterclass in clutch performance. Personally, I’ve always leaned toward players who deliver when the pressure is highest, and Ronaldo’s ability to score twice against Juventus that day sealed his spot, in my view, as the season’s top player. Close behind was Lionel Messi, whose 45 goals for Barcelona included that stunning last-minute winner against Real Madrid. I’ll admit, I’m biased toward technical wizards, and Messi’s dribbling stats—averaging over 7 successful take-ons per game—just mesmerized me. Then there’s Neymar, whose €222 million move to PSG shocked the world. While some critics questioned the fee, I saw it as a testament to his impact; he tallied 28 goals and 16 assists that season, and his flair made every match must-watch TV.

Moving to the midfield maestros, Luka Modrić orchestrated Real Madrid’s plays with a 92% pass accuracy, and his calm under pressure reminded me of how Jack filled that essential role—without him, the team would’ve felt incomplete. Kevin De Bruyne was another favorite of mine; his 18 assists for Manchester City showcased a vision I haven’t seen since Iniesta’s prime. I remember thinking, "This guy makes the impossible look easy," especially in that 7-2 win over Stoke where he set up three goals. On the defensive end, Sergio Ramos brought that gritty leadership, scoring 7 crucial goals as a defender, while Giorgio Chiellini’s 85% tackle success rate for Juventus was pure artistry. Let’s not forget the keepers: David De Gea’s 14 clean sheets for Manchester United felt like a one-man rescue mission at times, and Manuel Neuer, though injured part of the year, still managed a 90% save rate in key matches.

What struck me most, though, was how these players didn’t just rack up stats—they embodied that "perfect complement" idea, making their teams unstoppable. Kylian Mbappé, for instance, burst onto the scene with 26 goals for Monaco, and at just 18, he played with a fearlessness that reminded me of a young Ronaldo. Harry Kane’s 35 Premier League goals for Tottenham were relentless, and Eden Hazard’s 16 goals and 5 assists for Chelsea oozed creativity. Reflecting on it all, I think 2017 was special because it blended raw talent with strategic fits, much like that analysis hinted—without players filling those roles, dominating would’ve been "tough," if not impossible. In my experience, seasons like this don’t come around often, and these ten players left a legacy that’s still influencing the game today.