Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, has been awarded the
2018 UEFA men’s player of the year award ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohammed Salah.
The Croatian captain, 33, who won the golden ball at
the 2018 World Cup was Real Madrid’s midfield engine and chief creator on the
road to a third consecutive Champions League crown.
This is the first time the award is being handed out to
someone else other than Ronaldo and Lionel Messi since Frank Ribery won it in
2013.
Speaking at the presentation, the former Tottenham
midfielder said: “It’s an incredible moment for me – I’m excited and proud.
“Thanks to everyone who voted for me, my club, my
team-mates, my coaches who support me in my good moments and less good moments.
This award belongs to them too.
“My father is the person who took me to my first training
session and pushed me to fight for my dreams and never give up. I owe him a lot
for everything.”
Meanwhile, Juventus striker, Ronaldo, was named the best
striker in Europe for the 2018 season.
The predatory forward scored 15 goals in last season’s UCL,
netting in every group game and did not stop scoring until the second leg of
the quarter-final.
His last-minute penalty against Juventus propelled his
former club, Real Madrid, into the semi-final.
Real Madrid had a clean sweep of the other awards handed
out, with Keylor Navas winning best goalkeeper, while Sergio Ramos was named
the best defender.
Former England international, Sir David Beckham, was awarded
the honorary president’s award for 2018.
The 43-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid
midfielder was described by UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin, as the player
that “changed the image of a footballer” with his commercial appeal.
No comments:
Post a Comment