Luka Modric won the Men’s Best Player award at Monday’s Best FIFA Football Awards show in London, capping off an extraordinary 2018 (a bit early, granted) for the Croatian who helped Real Madrid to a third straight Champions League title and guided his country to the 2018 World Cup final in the calendar year.
[ EFL CUP: Liverpool vs. Chelsea highlights this week’s 3rd round ]
“It is a great honor and a beautiful feeling to stand here with this amazing trophy,” he said in his acceptance speech. “First of all, I would like to congratulate Mohamed [Salah] and Cristiano [Ronaldo]. I am sure in the future you will have another opportunity to fight for this trophy.
“This award is not just mine. It is my teammates from Real Madrid and Croatia. Without my coaches I would not have won this. Without my family I would not be the player I am today.”
Marta won the Women’s Best Player award, for the first time in her legendary career, after leading Brazil to glory at the 2018 Copa America and scoring 13 goals to go with six assists for her NWSL side, Orlando Pride.
“This means so much. It is not only about Marta but it is about my teammates and women’s football.
“It is amazing. For me, it is most important to see women’s soccer grow up each year. If I keep doing well and that can help outside of the field too then I am happy.”
Didier Deschamps, who guided France to its second World Cup title this summer, won the Men’s Best Coach award.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah won the 2018 Puskas award for the best goal scored, upsetting Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale who each scored a stunning bicycle kick for Madrid in Champions League play last season.
.@MoSalah is a #Puskás award winner!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 24, 2018
Relive the goal he won it for 🔥 #TheBest pic.twitter.com/Ag3SZPzDDY
FIFPro Best XI
Goalkeeper: David de Gea (Manchester United)
Defenders: Dani Alves (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
London-born actor — and apparent England superfan — Idris Elba took home the award for best- (or worst-, depending on personal preference) dressed.
the ultimate Gareth Southgate waistcoat 🔥#TheBest #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/i1kqMGKIJ0
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 24, 2018