Luca Modric, Didier Deschamps and Marta
Photo: FIFA
Modric shows the way as he ends decade of dominance
By Ryan Conway
Social media was awash with praise and relief by the end of the night. A decade dominated by the battle for individual supremacy from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo was broken by perhaps the ultimate team player.
Luka Modric, the diminutive Croatian who was once dubbed the worst signing of La Liga in 2012 along with then Barcelona midfielder Alex Song, stood awkwardly on the stage beaming with pride. His presence on stage less dominant than Ronaldo’s and less awe-inspiring than Messi’s, but no less deserving.
Yet, there he stood, a humbling demeanor illuminating the stage as he was crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2018, “It’s an incredible feeling. I am proud and honoured to be here. It’s been a special night for me and a special moment in my career.” Said the Croatian. The Real Madrid midfielder commanded just shy of 30% of the vote, with his former teammate Ronaldo and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah a long way back in the standings.
Modric’s capturing of the top prize represents much more than an impressive individual season for a player often not given the proper credit. His victory is an admission that goals are not the only way to measure the success of a player. Last season for Real Madrid Modric found the net just once in league competition.
The 33-year-old reached a summit which has long eluded some of the great playmakers of his generation. Barcelona duo Xavi and Andreas Iniesta have often been passed over for the prize. The gargantuan goal tallies of Messi and Ronaldo impossible to ignore.
The 2011/12 season saw Xavi put together one of the great seasons from a playmaker in world football. The World Cup winner scored ten league goals and assisted a further seven. The Spanish playmaker also lifted the Euro 2012 trophy with his nation yet found himself outside of the top three at that year’s awards with club teammate Messi grabbing the honours.
In the 2012/13 season Iniesta registered a whopping 16 assists in La Liga as Barcelona recaptured the league title. There was to be no place for the graceful passer on the podium at that year’s awards, Iniesta was bested to the title with the two headline acts remaining top of the billing – Ronaldo taking home the award on that occasion.
Modric’s win breaks the trend, but the former Tottenham man was cautious when speaking about if times are changing, “We’ll see. There are so many good players – those two [Messi and Ronaldo] and many more – that it makes you feel proud to beat them to it. It shows you that your hard work has paid off. It’s been a night when all my dreams have come true.” Said the World Cup runner-up, “I am very satisfied with what I did with my club, my country and, of course, to have won individual awards like The Best and the award for the best player at the World Cup.
“There were so many [great moments]that choosing one is difficult. I think it has to be the World Cup Final though. It was the biggest match of my career, and playing for your country in the Final of the World Cup – the biggest sporting event on the planet – is unique.”
Modric’s 2017/18 season ended in tears as Croatia were defeated 4-2 by France in the World Cup final. A dejected Modric held onto his Golden Ball award knowing it could have been so much more, but the award was well deserved as the Croatia captain was the heartbeat of their charge to the final. Modric acknowledged as much during his acceptance speech saying, ”
A goal in their opening Group D clash with Nigeria was followed up with a thunderous strike to down Argentina 3-0. They were to be his only goals of that tournament yet his impact on the game was all-encompassing for Zlatko Dalic’s squad.
Recent history has seen the award become akin to an arms race for goal-getters, the term ‘the best’ reserved for whom had found the net most – lifting trophies always lends credence to the nominee, too. Yet Modric is a different breed, a player of unparalleled humility and a player who may only be truly recognised as a great in retrospect.
Big moments have been at the centre of the Madrid midfilder’s year. His side almost clawed their way back into the World Cup final and his Real Madrid team claimed a third Champions League title on the spin. Modric has been at the heart of two of the world’s best teams, but ask him if he could be the best as something else he said, “I am a very down to earth and modest person, a family guy and friendly with it, so I’d probably choose being the best at spending time with my family and sharing big moments with them.” Typically humble.
