Ballon D’Or: Luka Modric Emerges 2018 Award Winner

Modric Defeats Ronaldo And Messi Again

Croatian international and Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, beat off competition from Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and others to emerge 2018 Ballon d’Or winner.

The midfielder emerged victorious at the award ceremony which held on Monday, 3rd December, 2018.

Naija News recalls the 33-year old midfielder also won the FIFA Best Men’s Player award earlier in the year.

Ronaldo came second followed by Antoine Griezmann as Mbappe occupied fourth position.

Messi surprisingly finished in 5th position for the first time since 2006.

Egypt and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah finished sixth

“It’s a unique feeling, I’m happy, proud and it’s an honour,” Modric said while receiving the award. “[There are] extraordinary emotions at the moment.

“I just want to thank all those who helped me to be here tonight, I thank my team-mates, my coaches, the staff and Real Madrid, all those who work there, the coaches and team-mates in the national team, the ones who voted for me and my family, which allows me to blossom as a person.

“Always have dreams, I wanted to play in a big club, win titles, the Ballon d’Or is all I could dream [about] as a child, it’s an honour to win it tonight.

“It’s a great pleasure to be here around these players. I keep thinking, I’m trying to get used to being part of this group of exceptional players who have won the Ballon d’Or in history. It’s a great pleasure to be part of this group.

“Throughout my career I understood that work, persistence, believing in yourself, is the basis for expressing your talent. I like a saying – the best is never easy. For me, it was not easy. It was necessary to seize the opportunities.”

The Real Madrid midfielder played a very important role as his club won a third consecutive Champions League title, as well as captaining Croatia to second place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.