Wayne Rooney has given his verdict on Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric.
Wayne Rooney, who is currently plying his trade with DC United is making a name for himself with a brilliant start to his Major League Soccer (MLS) career. The English International has scored 12 goals in 21 games for the USA outfit and looks raring to go into the next season.
The last year’s best player was adjudged as Real Madrid’s Luka Modric who went on to win the Ballon d’Or for his contributions for his club and country. The Croatian International was able to lift the Champions League and guided his nation as runners-up in the World Cup.
The former Manchester United striker says that the Real Madrid midfielder is not the best player in the world and he would have voted for his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese International paired up with Luka Modric to lift the Champions League in Ukraine last season. After the World Cup, Ronaldo threw a hint on his Real Madrid departure which became official following his transfer to Juventus on July 10.
Wayne Rooney says he would have voted for Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d’Or rather than Luka Modric 🏆https://t.co/w2ObsDwJtg
— Goal News (@GoalNews) February 25, 2019
Wayne Rooney has admitted he would not have voted Luka Modric to win the 2018 Ballon d’Or:
🗣 “I think if it was player-voted I would have voted for Cristiano Ronaldo this year.
“But taking nothing away from Luka Modric. He won it so he deserves it.” pic.twitter.com/WU1UaHTdkL
— GiveMeSport Football (@GMS__Football) February 25, 2019
Wayne Rooney says that Luka Modric is a fantastic player, but he is certainly not the best in the world.
“Luka Modric is a fantastic player,” Rooney told DAZN. “I think his passing is great and the way he moves with the ball.
“Actually he doesn’t look that quick to the eye but when you play against him he glides past players. He’s a fantastic player, he’s had a great career.
“I don’t think he’s the best player in the world but in terms of the year is he worthy of it? Of course, he is. He had a great year with Real Madrid and obviously had a great run as captain with Croatia.
“I think if it was player-voted I would have voted for Ronaldo this year, but taking nothing away from Luka Modric. He won it so he deserves it.”
.@lukamodric10 won the #ballondor2018 ‘Or, beating @Cristiano to the prize, but @WayneRooney says he disagrees with that decision.https://t.co/dRivWVzUBf
— myKhel.com (@mykhelcom) February 25, 2019
Rooney came up against Luka Modric during the midfielder’s stint at Tottenham Hotspur, but the English International said that he does not possess the similar traits held by some of the former greats.
“He wasn’t a midfield player who before the game you would think: ‘oh no, we’re playing against Luka Modric’,” Rooney added.
“He’s not like a Patrick Vieira-style player or Roy Keane where he’s commanding, he’s a different kind of player.
“But his ability, his passing, he can shoot with both feet. As I said before, he takes the ball and glides, creates opportunities, so he’s a fantastic player.”
