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Luka Modric has succeeded the winner of the inaugural two awards, Cristiano Ronaldo, after a superlative 2017/18 that saw the Croatian midfield maestro reach new heights.
Modric was crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player bringing, for the first time, a new name on trophy.
It has taken something outstanding to break the duopoly of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the pinnacle of the men’s game, and Modric’s season has undoubtedly warranted the landmark.
Awarded the Adidas Golden Ball at the FIFA Club World Cup before playing an integral role in Real Madrid’s third consecutive UEFA Champions League trophy, the Croatian was the metronomic lynchpin at the heart of Los Blancos midfield throughout the 2017/18 campaign.
He also starred on the international stage, playing a key role in helping his country to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
He produced superlative performances at the finals for his country.
Modric’s tireless running, key goals and outstanding leadership qualities helped guide Vatreni to the Final against France, his nation’s finest performance at the global finals.
Other finalists are:
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 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 UAE 2017
- Mohamed Salah – 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
THE OTHER CANDIDATES
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- Kevin De Bruyne – Helped Belgium to bronze at Russia 2018, key part of Manchester City side which had most wins and points in an English Premier League season, most assists during 2017/18 Premier League campaign (18)
- Antoine Griezmann – Won FIFA World Cup with France, scored in the Final, Awarded Adidas Silver Boot and adidas Bronze Ball, lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy with Atletico Madrid
- Eden Hazard – Inspired Belgium to bronze at Russia 2018, claimed the FIFA World Cup adidas Silver Ball, won the English FA Cup with Chelsea
- Harry Kane – Won the adidas Golden Boot at Russia 2018, helped England to their best World Cup finish since 1990, amassed 30 goals during 2017/18 English Premier League season
- Kylian Mbappé – Won the FIFA World Cup and FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award, became second youngest player after Pele to score in a World Cup Final, won domestic treble during maiden season at Paris Saint-Germain
- Lionel Messi – won a league and cup double with Barcelona, finished Spain’s La Liga campaign as top goalscorer (34), joint-top for assists during 2017/18 La Liga season (12)
- Raphaël Varane – Helped France to World Cup victory at Russia 2018, helped keep four clean sheets in seven World Cup games, lifted 2017 Club World Cup and 2018 Champions League with Real Madrid
THE BEST FIFA WOMEN’S PLAYER
In a related development, the Brazilian legend, Marta was crowned The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2018.
There are not many superlatives left to describe the magnificent talents of Marta.
The Brazilian legend is quite simply one of the greatest players to have graced the game and that stance atop football’s podium has been strengthened after being named the best.
This year’s nomination to be the top women’s player on the planet was – incredibly – the 14th time that she has been labeled among the elite and 2018 represented the 12th time that she had been named in the top three.
This year’s crowning as The Best is the sixth time she has been elected the world’s top women’s player.
But her coronation is not simply for her longevity, it is for her outstanding achievements during 2017/18.
There she captained Brazil to the Copa America title.
She also helped her club side Orlando Pride to a long run in arguably the most challenging women’s league in world football: the USA’s National Women’s Soccer League.
Still going strong at 32, there is no doubt that Marta can be among the elite for many more years to come.
