Luka Modric ends Messi-Ronaldo Monopoly to win The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2018
Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has been named the Best Men’s Player at The Best FIFA Football Awards on Monday evening, fighting off competition from fellow nominees Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah.
The award caps off an incredible year for Modric, who won his fourth Champions League title with Real Madrid in May, before leading his country to a World Cup final in July and being crowned UEFA Men’s Player of the Year last month.
The Best Men’s Player of the year award, formerly named the Fifa World Player of the Year, has long been dominated by both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but Barcelona forward Messi failed to make the shortlist for this years award for the first time since 2006.
Modric’s other accolades from last season include him being awarded the Golden Ball for his performances during the 2017 Club World Cup, whilst the former Spurs man was also included in the Champions League team of the season for a third consecutive year and named the best midfielder in the competition for a second consecutive year.
After receiving the award Modric said:
“First of all I would like to give congratulations to Mohamed [Salah] and Cristiano [Ronaldo] for the seasons they have had, and I’m sure that in the future you will have another opportunity to win this trophy. This isn’t just my trophy – this is for my Real Madrid teammates, my Croatia teammates and my coaches. Without them, this would have not have been possible. This trophy is also for my family without whom I would not be the player that I am.”
3 finalists for FIFA Best Player award
- Won the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- Finished 2017/18 as the Champion League’s top scorer (15)
- Won FIFA Club World Cup 2017
- Captained Croatia to their first ever FIFA World Cup Final
- Won the Golden Ball at Russia 2018
- Helped Real Madrid win Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup
- Helped Liverpool to UEFA Champions League final in maiden season
- Netted 32 goals during English Premier League campaign, setting new scoring record
- Finished joint-second in 2017/18 Champions League scoring chart
