Reliving 2018

Crisitiano Ronaldo scored a gravity-defying goal, but even more shocking was his move from Real Madrid to Juventus in the summer.

After becoming the first club to ever retain the Champions League Real Madrid captured Europe's greatest prize for a third time running.

Serena Williams had a meltdown while losing to Naomi Osaka in the US Open final, launching an epic tirade against the umpires.

Roger Federer started the year in fine fashion, winning the Australian Open and extending his record haul of Grand Slam triumphs to 20.

Rafael Nadal was no slouch either, complementing the 2017 that saw him win two Grand Slams, with a record-extending 11th French Open title.

After 22 years at the helm of Arsenal, manager Arsene Wenger decided to step down from his role and leave the club, having left an ever-lasting impact on English football.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City broke numerous records on way to the Premier League title.

CONTRASTING EXITS

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was left smashing bottle containers towards the end of his reign at Old Trafford before A 3-1 loss to archrivals Liverpool saw him promptly sacked as his third season meltdown proved correct for the third time. On the other hand, former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane announced his resignation after three seasons that saw him win three Champions League and other titles. Los Blancos crumbled and next manager, Julen Lopetegui, lasted just 14 games.

Gone: But Not Forgotten 

WAZED GAZI 1938-2018: One of the finest football coaches Bangladesh produced passed away this year. He did not win a title but was crucial in moulding budding players into household names.

AJIT WADEKAR 1941-2018: Former India Test and ODI captain Ajit Wadekar died at the age of 77.

AZEGLIO VICINI 1933-2018: Azeglio Vicini , who led Italy to third place at the 1990 World Cup, died at the age of 84.

VICHAI SRIVADDHANAPRABHA 1958-2018: Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha died in a tragic helicopter crash.

ABDUR RAZZAK SHONA MIA 1949-2018: Legendary hockey player and later an organiser, Abdur Razzak Shona Mia died in February.

AFZALUR RAHMAN SINHA 1950-2018: One of few who spent money for sport with an open heart Afzalur Rahman Sinha died in August.

MONIR HOSSAIN MONU 1960-2018: Former national team footballer and Mohammedan star Monir Hossain Monu passed away.

Davide Astori 1987-2018: Fiorentina captain and Italy international Davide Astori died of a 'sudden illness' in March.

RAY WILSON 1935-2018: England’s World Cup winner Ray Wilson, one of his day’s best left-backs, died of Alzheimer’s.

TANVIR CHOWDHURY 1977-2018: A national footballer in the 90s and early 2000s, Tanvir died of injuries from a 2015 accident.

2018’s Best

An often overlooked player at Real Madrid, Luka Modric displayed his talents at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, leading Croatia to the final. Although his side lost to France, Modric accomplished the greatest feat of the past decade, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's duopoly on the Ballon d'Or.

Novak Djokovic. Photo: Collected

With 11 centuries in the year -- five in Tests and six in ODIs -- Kohli cemented his place as the best batsman in every format of the game. A 149 against England and 123 against Australia were his best Test knocks.

All photos: Reuters, AFP, Collected