Modric: the best season in my life

REWARDED: REAL MADRID STAR A REVELATION IN RUSSIA

London

Luka Modric ended Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s decade-long domination of football’s individual awards by being crowned Fifa’s Best-Player-ofthe-Year on Monday.

The Real Madrid midfielder starred for both club and country as Madrid won a third straight Champions League, and he inspired Croatia to reach the World Cup final for the first time.

“The emotion is huge because it is thanks to the work of everyone,” said Modric.

He beat out Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Ronaldo.

Modric’s success means Ronaldo remains tied with Messi having won Fifa’s award in different guises five times each.

Modric scored twice and also netted in penalty shootout wins over Denmark and Russia, but it was his playmaking ability that caught the eye in winning the Golden Ball for the best player at the World Cup.

“It was an unbelievable season, the best season in my life,” said Modric.

For the first time in 12 years, Messi was not among the finalists with Salah earning a place on the podium for his incredible 44-goal debut season with Liverpool.

Salah did not go away empty-handed, however, as he picked up the Puskas Award for best goal for his strike against Everton in the Merseyside derby last December.

France’s World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps won the prize for best coach of the year in recognition for his work in leading Les Bleus to success in Russia.

Thibaut Courtois won the best goalkeeper award for helping Belgium reach the World Cup semifinals as well as the FA Cup with Chelsea before a summer move to Madrid.

Brazil’s Marta was crowned best women’s player for a record sixth time for her role in winning the Copa America.

Lyon boss Reynald Pedros did win the award for best women’s coach, though, after winning the Champions League with the French giants. –