Luka Modric of Real Madrid and Croatian on Thursday received the accolade of UEFA Player of the Year in Monaco after his Champions League exploits.
Modric, whose success sets him up as a favourite to win the Ballon d’Or world player of the year accolade, saw off former Real teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah for the overall award.
Similarly, French striker, Antoine Griezmann has been named the 2017-18 Europa League Player of the Season.
The Atletico Madrid striker beat Marseille’s Dimitri Payet and Atletico team-mate Diego Godin to the award!
The UEFA Europa League draws are currently been held with teams waiting with batted breath for their opposition as the race for European glory kicks off.
“My father always pushed me to fight for my dreams, I owe him a lot for everything,” said Modric, whose silky midfield skills helped Real to a third straight European crown and then propelled Croatia to the World Cup final.
Who’s saying what? “It’s an incredible moment for me, I feel really excited and proud of this great award,” said the 32-year-old, who started out at Dinamo Zagreb and then had four years with Tottenham before Real prised him away six years ago.
Real Madrid’s achievement in winning the Champions League for the third season running was further recognised as Modric also won the UEFA award for the best midfielder of last season. His clubmate Sergio Ramos was named best defender while Real shot stopper Keylor Navas won the best goalkeeper prize.
Real Madrid Croatia’s midfielder Luka Modric receives the UEFA Champions league midfielder of the season award during the draw for UEFA Champions League football tournament at The Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on August 30, 2018.
The award “recognises the best players, irrespective of nationality, playing for a club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the past season. Players are judged on their performances in all competitions – domestic, continental and international”.
Danish international Pernille Harder, of German club Wolfsburg, won the UEFA women’s player of the year prize. Wolfsburg lost to dominant French outfit Lyon in the Champions League final in Kiev in May. There was also an award for David Beckham, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and England star collecting the UEFA President’s Award for his achievements in the game and his work since retiring as a player.
(AFP)
