Modric sees off French stars to end Messi, Ronaldo grip on Ballon d’Or
Hegerberg says ‘twerk’ request doesn’t overshadow historic award
PARIS, Dec 4, (AFP): Luka Modric saw off competition from a host of French World Cup stars as the Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder won the 2018 Ballon d’Or, ending the 10-year stranglehold on the award by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Modric, 33, was announced as the winner of the prestigious prize in a glitzy ceremony held in Paris. Ronaldo was second, with France and Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann completing the podium.
Paris Saint-Germain’s teenage forward Kylian Mbappe came fourth, leaving Messi to settle for fifth position. Another Frenchman, Modric’s Madrid teammate Raphael Varane, was dance by French host DJ, Martin Solveig, and appeared embarrassed as she rejected the request.
Hegerberg later said: “He came to see me after and apologized. The Ballon d’Or is the most important thing.” “I am touched and very proud, for women’s football, for myself, for the club. I share this with Olympique Lyonnais, my teammates, the staff,” she beamed after joining men’s winner Luka Modric and men’s best young player Kylian Mbappe on the stage with her trophy.
“It’s historic, it’s incredible, a great day for women’s football and a big step forward.” Hegerberg, one of seven players from the all-conquering Lyon side to feature among the 15 nominees, dismissed suggestions that the night was marred by the “twerk” request.
“I didn’t feel it was like that at all to be honest and I am sad if people thought about the situation like that.” Solveig later tweeted an apology, saying Hegerberg “told me she understood it was a joke”.
“Nevertheless my apologies to anyone who may have been offended.” “People who have followed me for 20 years know how respectful I am especially with women,” he added.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Golden Tate (19) is tackled by Washington Redskins’ Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (20) during the second half of an NFL football game on Dec
3 in Philadelphia. (AP)