Luka Modric wins Ballon d’Or: The Croatian midfielder won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, beating Ronaldo and Griezmann.
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric won his first Ballon d’Or award, as he beat former club teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann.
Modric has been a star performer for Real Madrid and Croatia last season, as he played a crucial role in the club’s Champions League success. Modric led Croatia to the country’s first ever World Cup final in Russia this summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished second, was Real Madrid’s highest goalscorer last season. Griezmann, meanwhile, had yet another terrific season with Atletico Madrid, and won the World Cup with France.
Luka Modric also won the UEFA Player of the Year and FIFA Best Player of the Year award for his incredible performances throughout the season in 2017/18.
Lionel Messi, meanwhile, finished outside the top-3. Messi stood 5th in the final rankings, while the fourth place was occupied by another French star, Kylian Mbappe.
Here are some of the best Twitter reactions to the award:
Luka Modric wins the 2018 #BallondOr! 🏆
The prodigal son. pic.twitter.com/0J2V4apuxh
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 3, 2018
Say hello to the #BalloDor winner:
Luka Modric.
To the surprise of absolutely nobody pic.twitter.com/dm2LgAunKo
— BetVictor Racing (@BetVictorRacing) December 3, 2018
Luka Modric went from one of the most underrated players in the world to one of the most overrated players in the world in just a few months.
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) December 3, 2018
I think Modric winning the Ballon d’or is just to put end to Messi and Ronaldo awards duopoly in football, not that he really deserved it. #ballondor
— Best Baba 🇳🇬 (@iambestb) December 3, 2018
For the first time since 2006, Lionel Messi is ranked outside the Ballon d’Or top 3 pic.twitter.com/6DxUD7veDa
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) December 3, 2018
Luka Modric, from a Croatian refugee to UEFA Player of the Year & to end a Ballon d’Or title race between the greatest players of this era Ronaldo & Messi with 5 Ballon d’Or each.
Hard work leads to success, dreams do come true. pic.twitter.com/hPjJYvmBOX
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) December 3, 2018
When he was 6, his grandfather was shot dead.
His family became refugees, in a warzone.
He grew up to the sound of grenades exploding
Coaches said he was too weak and too shy to play football
Modrić’s 2018:
🏆 UCL
🏆 Golden Ball
🏆 Best FIFA Men’s Player
🏆 Ballon d’Or— Football Factly (@FootballFactly) December 3, 2018
No other player in the 10 year dominance of Messi and Ronaldo deserved to win it more than Iniesta or Sneijder, those two really deserved to win Ballon D’or despite not winning it. Modric doesn’t deserve Ballon D’or. Injustice for other legends.
— FutbolBible (@FutbolBible) December 3, 2018
Modric won #BallonDor ahead of Messi and Ronaldo
Bye football pic.twitter.com/wEfVQ4dIgd
— DASIAGO (@LarryDasiago) December 3, 2018
Clean sweep from the 🐐 midfielder. You don’t win awards voted by 20,000 Players, managers, journalists, experts, panels by luck. Finally a player getting recognition for more than just stats. Luka Modrić the best player of 2018 in every awards voting system #BallonDor 🇭🇷🐐🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/PcKQUjwUDc
— MANGO (@Mangochutney__) December 3, 2018
🏆⚽ BALLON D’OR 2018
🇭🇷 Congratulations, @lukamodric10! pic.twitter.com/cXXdqbKeM3— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 3, 2018
Congratulations on winning the Ballon d’Or my friend. Well deserved after such a great year 👏🏼 @lukamodric10 pic.twitter.com/MxKZyvMv2a
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) December 3, 2018
