2018 in the rearview mirror: From Diego Maradona's World Cup histrionics to Naomi Osaka dancing, funniest moments

2018 was a barrel of laughs.

From Diego Maradona's histrionics in the stands at the FIFA World Cup to JR Smith forgetting the score during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the year was loaded with moments that tickled the funny bone. 

Here's Firstpost's selection of the most hilarious moments from the year:

That look on LeBron James’ face when JR Smith forgot the score in Game 1 of NBA Finals

this moment is going down in nba history pic.twitter.com/0BoTKFzXU0

— Whitney Medworth (@its_whitney) June 1, 2018

When Nico Hulkenberg was left ‘hanging like a cow’

Quote of the season...? #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/dPcp7QtL6s

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 26, 2018

Virat Kohli clearly having fun in Australia

pic.twitter.com/HJKnh7fM7F

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) December 9, 2018

When Kristaps Porzingis met Lomachenko

Kristaps Porzingis is 7'3"

Vasyl Lomachenko... is not pic.twitter.com/vdq0u9KYzy

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 7, 2018

San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Popovic being asked what makes LeBron James difficult to guard

What makes LeBron hard to guard? Pop has a simple answer pic.twitter.com/PeRIA1UNlT

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter)

December 6, 2018

There was something flying between Fernando Alonso’s legs during a race. And it’s not what you think it is

BEST TEAM RADIO OF 2018

There could be only one winner this year! #F1 @ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/SBbf1eOylq

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2018

Why Daniel Ricciardo shouldn’t get excited while driving…

You can't really ask this question to @danielricciardo and not expect a hilarious response #F1 #GrillTheGrid pic.twitter.com/Hx0nPUNQln

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 29, 2018

James Harden giving himself a nosebleed dunking

#MVP Nosebleed ✈️ pic.twitter.com/SxCzRwWcdD

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 27, 2018

Sometimes you kick the football. Sometimes the ball hits you back! Michy Batshuayi knows that now.

Don’t try this at home kids..... #ENGBEL pic.twitter.com/Q82nrZIm2c

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 28, 2018

Football's a risky sport. Sometimes.

pic.twitter.com/XSMItd7SaA

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) January 4, 2018

We discovered Zlatan's doppleganger

This basketball player looks eerily like Zlatan https://t.co/Y54MVuYeN6 pic.twitter.com/ukK5s80oVv

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 29, 2018

Why did Magnus Carlsen change his socks mid-way during World Championships?

The incredible camera footage from @NRKsjakk caught it! Carlsen went from red to black socks during

the game. I do not understand Norwegian but saw the footage #SocksGate So do the new socks get some credits for the draw? LOL pic.twitter.com/8ucHoxjJsU

— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) November 19, 2018

NHL mascot's bad first day at work

Gritty having a bad first day on the job @spittinchiclets pic.twitter.com/24er9dA4gL

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 25, 2018

James Harden walks out in...

"OH MY GOD."

Chuck's not feeling James Harden's pregame look pic.twitter.com/0hWbiFF0Bl

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 14, 2018

When the ball got stuck. And then the towel followed

How ... ?!?! pic.twitter.com/JH0idThipd

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 14, 2018

Kings trolling Steph Curry

The Kings showed moon landing footage during Warriors' intros to troll Steph. pic.twitter.com/DReQr2ISVE

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 15, 2018

When Fellaini tried to kill a paramedic in Liverpool clash

Hahahahahahahahahahaha Fellaini has just nearly killed a paramedic pic.twitter.com/PK0JrSoVqY

— Joshua (@JoshBew95) December 16, 2018

Own-goal, NBA style (When the Knicks dunked into their own basket)

The Knicks are out here dunking on their own basket! #Shaqtin pic.twitter.com/NWMKzOAEb8

— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) December 9, 2018

Embiid rises for a windmill dunk. Embiid shanks the windmill dunk. Ben Simmons likes it!

The look Ben Simmons gave Embiid after he missed that windmill dunk pic.twitter.com/iusBRZytqf

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 20, 2018

Speaking of spectacularly shanked dunks, here's Dennis Smith Junior with his entry

Dennis Smith Jr. won't be adding this dunk to his highlight reel #Shaqtin pic.twitter.com/hIoFXNwMUh

— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) November 18, 2018

Hamidou Diallo has something to say about missed dunks

And here's Steven Adams rising to the occasion as well

"He cannot jump that high!" ‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/eYEPXnKnLZ

— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) November 8, 2018

King James' nomination is here

Wyd, @KingJames? #Shaqtin pic.twitter.com/zj8X9vxuTn

— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) October 26, 2018

Draymond Green rocking the rim

“Nominee Numba 1! Draymond Green!” -@SHAQ, probably #Shaqtin pic.twitter.com/glMW8zSdku

— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) May 23, 2018

Ben Simmons rises. Ben Simmons falls

. #Shaqtin pic.twitter.com/i5f5AercUI

— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) May 5, 2018

Jayson Taytum

"Oh noooooo!" @jaytatum0 was too open! #Shaqtin pic.twitter.com/dIoj66eiAO

— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) April 1, 2018

Steve Clifford

Steve Clifford's face says it all... #Shaqtin pic.twitter.com/fv3DOtfzfK

— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) April 1, 2018

Joel Embiid with a hat-trick

"It's hard to Trust The Process when it results in three missed dunks." @JoelEmbiid wins the #Shaqtin A Fool Midseason Award for Worst Moment of the Season! pic.twitter.com/vmIoY7IRcG

— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) February 22, 2018

Geraint Thomas’ Tour de France trophy gets stolen. Dope cheat Lance Armstrong wants him to give him his

Geraint Thomas' Tour de France trophy was stolen from a cycling show earlier this week.

So Lance Armstrong came in with an offer https://t.co/y8kQFaAuUU pic.twitter.com/WlGQRrrvz9

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 12, 2018

How will Brexit affect Geraint Thomas?

As Geraint Thomas celebrates his Tour de France victory, there are fears his post-Brexit equipment might not be so competitive pic.twitter.com/9ZSNkSkuqx

— The Poke (@ThePoke) July 31, 2018

Naomi Osaka vs Angelique Kerber. WTA Finals. One set all. Osaka makes a mistake. She has a question for her racquet.

"Whyyyyyyyy?" - @Naomi_Osaka_

@WTAFinalsSG

LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/Zkx7pRmkM4 pic.twitter.com/hQps6FvKeT

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) October 24, 2018

When Naomi Osaka lost a mini-tennis game in training to coach Sascha Bajin, her punishment was to dance at Shibuya crosswalk, Part I

What happens when you lose a game of mini tennis against @BigSascha and the loser’s punishment was, “dance in Shibuya crosswalk” pic.twitter.com/EsqnvNOlIc

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) April 16, 2018

When Naomi Osaka lost a mini-tennis game in training to coach Sascha Bajin, her punishment was to dance at Shibuya crosswalk, Part II

Shibuya awkward “dancing” pt 2 pic.twitter.com/fRASMyPb3o

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) December 20, 2018

When Ellen DeGeneres introducing Naomi Osaka to Michael B Jordan

You’re adorable. I better be asked to officiate the wedding.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 12, 2018

Ellen sending Naomi Osaka a ‘birthday present’

pls block me

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) October 16, 2018

Naomi Osaka on training days

Nothing has changed from then to now pic.twitter.com/dHSDyX0rv6

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) July 24, 2018

Naomi Osaka tried her hand at #WhatTheFluffChallenge. And it didn’t go as per plan

#whatthefluffchallenge I’m not sure what reaction I was expecting but this wasn’t it pic.twitter.com/ryooRCsY8Y

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) July 12, 2018

When Naomi Osaka tried her hand at pool

☹️ pic.twitter.com/nT4Kbxs1UN

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) June 9, 2018

Naomi Osaka with probably the best acceptance speech of all time

"This is probably going to be the worst acceptance speech of all time" - @BNPPARIBASOPEN champion @Naomi_Osaka_

We beg to differ! #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/4XpckdmLtq

— WTA (@WTA) March 18, 2018

Naomi Osaka doesn’t know how to hit a tweener

Can someone please teach me how to do this correctly pic.twitter.com/GeLh56xBQF

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) February 27, 2018

Naomi Osaka learning to hit a tweener

.@Naomi_Osaka_ asked for help on the tweener and @DKasatkina came to the rescue!

Think Naomi will pull it off at @BNPPARIBASOPEN? pic.twitter.com/ObcLXlLMVi

— WTA (@WTA) March 4, 2018

Ravi Shastri on India’s Test victory at Adelaide

A post-match interview you know you don't want to miss!

Watch what Ravi Shastri had to say after #TeamIndia's Adelaide win. #AUSvIND #ChhodnaMat #SPNSports pic.twitter.com/jpvG9kT54X

— SPN- Sports (@SPNSportsIndia) December 10, 2018

When Fernando Alonso missed a chicane

Final day in the office? One little shortcut won't hurt #F1 #FridayFeeling @alo_oficial pic.twitter.com/Pk0NJLNF3d

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 21, 2018

When Curry headed the ball away

.@StephenCurry30 use your head and cash in the #ShaqtinGoldenTicket for this one… pic.twitter.com/TR3MOAhIOk

— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) January 18, 2018

Raikkonen wins a race after 112 grands prix. Finnish commentator loses it

Niki. Täysillä! Aina! #cmoref1 #icemanwins pic.twitter.com/SYhB3FbaZ1

— Ossi Oikarinen (@Ossi_Oikarinen) October 21, 2018

When Taj Gibson defended with a shoe in his hand

The game is truly evolving. Here is Taj Gibson running around playing defense with his shoe. pic.twitter.com/li7vKGDsnE

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 18, 2018

When seven-foot tall Anthony Davis was still too short

Boban playing keep away from Anthony Davis is hilarious pic.twitter.com/JC2ClYhRwE

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) April 10, 2018

Partizan Belgrade fans pelting linesman with snowballs

Partizan Belgrade fans pelting the assistant referee with snow balls

pic.twitter.com/R51WYKIePR

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 15, 2018

When LeBron James snubbed Josh Hart

I WILL HIGH-FIVE YOU, JOSH HART. pic.twitter.com/ahlVIWcTjv

— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) October 23, 2018

What's Maitlan Brown’s hidden talent?

Umm what? Check out Maitlan Brown’s hidden talent #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/E4aqOM3EwI

— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) November 30, 2018

AS Roma’s Twitter handle issues a ‘threat’

Pay rise or we riothttps://t.co/7lgtdL3f6G

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) October 16, 2018

When Rod Laver participated in a Mexican Wave

When @RodLaver waves, the world waves. #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/Au5dC5WwTy

— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 21, 2018

That's not how you smash a racquet, Andrey

51. Andrey Rublev continued to fail at smashing racquets. (@ US Open) pic.twitter.com/j2dDn83pY6

— Matthew Willis (@MattRacquet) December 19, 2018

David Beckham advises Zlatan Ibrahimovic to work on moving past his ‘shyness’

"500 goals! That makes you really, really old."

David Beckham congratulates @Ibra_official on #Zlatan500 pic.twitter.com/RIS7178Zbt

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 17, 2018

Chris Evert bowing to Naomi Osaka

When Bruce Banner bows when meeting T’Challa I thought of Chris Evert bowing to Naomi Osaka after her US Open win pic.twitter.com/oUbiS9MINF

— Sibongile Mafu (@sboshmafu) September 24, 2018

Here’s why Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer would not have made a very successful doubles pair

Well, that was AWKWARD pic.twitter.com/WHJKFL56qD

— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 22, 2018

Thomas Bjorn getting a tattoo on his butt after losing bet with Ryder Cup teammates

The #RyderCup has (literally) left it’s mark on @thomasbjorngolf ✍ pic.twitter.com/MGfVtsSPVL

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) December 24, 2018

Tim Paine does some talking

More cheeky banter caught on the TV stump mic! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/pDbuJIfJJI

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

When Duisburg goalkeeper took to break in the middle of a game, the predictable happened

Iran's Milad Mohammadi made everyone laugh with a spectacularly botched attempt at a throw-in against Spain at the FIFA World Cup

Senegal making waves with their wacky training regimen

#SEN continue to innovate, with the most joyous training methods of any team at the #WorldCup. How can anyone root against them? pic.twitter.com/gOYw5g5nlm

— elliot ross (@FutbolsaCountry) June 23, 2018

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse also made an impression during the FIFA World Cup

via GIPHY

He wasn't the only one to make an impression at the FIFA World Cup

Of course, we all know that Maradona had a cold during the World Cup

7. When Diego Maradona had a terrible fucking cold during the World Cup... pic.twitter.com/hqqn7FHEsI

— Swearing Sports News (@SwearingSport) December 24, 2018

Maradona would neither confirm nor deny anything

Shaktar Donestsk coach Paulo Fonseca coming to a post-match press conference donning a Zorro costume

At Russia, Neymar also grabbed headlines with his performances. Not with the ball at his feet.

Mo Salah's statue, which looks nothing like Mo Salah

Who does Mo Salah's statue ACTUALLY look like? pic.twitter.com/kpivD3xkDD

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) November 6, 2018

Well left by Nick Kyrgios

43. Kyrgios won the award for 'least effort during a return game' (@ Queens) pic.twitter.com/BfwNrayUQL

— Matthew Willis (@MattRacquet) December 18, 2018

Shaun Pollock's wardrobe malfunction

On Friday during the Test between and , @7polly7 provided us with one of the funniest cricketing moments of 2018 pic.twitter.com/v3SiCnInVQ

— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) December 30, 2018

Brazil celebrated all their goals at the FIFA World Cup with a lot of vigour. Too much vigour probably

Tite gets swallowed up in #BRA's Coutinho goal celebration pic.twitter.com/Z1BOFrx4yE

— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) June 22, 2018