Croatia’s Luka Modric won FIFA’s The Best award for 2018, marking the first time since 2007 that a player other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi has won the honor given to the world’s top player.
The award, which was once named FIFA World Player of the Year, was renamed as the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2010 before being rebranded as “The Best” in 2016.
Modric Credits Teammates, Coaches for Success
Modric received 29 percent of the voting for the award. Votes come from national team captains, managers, journalists, and an online poll of fans, with each group weighted to count as a quarter of the total vote.
Ronaldo finished as the runner up with 19 percent of the vote, with Mohamed Salah (11 percent), Kylian Mbappe (10 percent) and Messi (9 percent) rounding out the top five.
Modric was given his award during a Monday night ceremony in London.
“This award is not just mine,” Modric said upon receiving the honor. “It is my teammates from Real Madrid and Croatia. Without my coaches, I would not have won this and without my family I would not be the player I am today.”
Modric certainly had a memorable year. As captain of the Croatian national team, he led his squad to the World Cup final, losing 4-2 to France in the championship match. Despite that loss, Modric was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. He also started for the Real Madrid team that won the 2017-18 Champions League, and was named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.
Neither Ronaldo nor Messi attended the awards ceremony, a decision that went over poorly with some observers. Each had won the award in five of the past 10 years.
“It’s a lack of respect,” former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello told Spanish television station TVE. “You have to be here when you win and when you lose.”
Marta Named Top Female Player
Modric wasn’t the only person honored at FIFA’s awards ceremony. Brazilian forward Marta was honored as The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2018, having led her country to the Copa America title while also winning the National Women’s Soccer League championship with the Orlando Pride. It was the sixth time the 32-year-old has been named as the best female player in the world.
“This means so much, but it is not only about Marta, it is about my teammates and women’s football,” she said after receiving her award. “Most importantly, it is good to see women’s soccer grow each year. If I keep doing well and that can help off the field too, then I am happy.”
The award for best men’s coach went to Didier Deschamps, who guided France to their second ever World Cup title in July. Deschamps – who also captained France to its first World Cup win in 1998 – beat out Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane and Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic for the honor.
“We are nothing without our players,” Deschamps said. “I would like to thank the whole team. They worked hard to get me here tonight.”
