Luka Modric was awarded the most prestigious individual award in football on Monday night, ending the duopoly between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, that dominated the last 10 years of football.
Whilst this decision has been met with plenty of congratulations from the football world, several other fans and former players have expressed their disgust at the fact that a player who has started this season so badly with Real Madrid, was handed the award.
In my opinion, the decision to hand Modric the award is merited, given that the midfielder practically carried Croatia on the way to last summer's FIFA World Cup final, despite them not winning it. Modric was also named as the best player of the whole competition. Apart from international duty, Modric also impressed at club level with Real Madrid, as they triumphed over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final.
To make my point even clearer, several central midfielders have been overlooked in recent past when it came to the Ballon d'Or, with the most notable ones being Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Wesley Sneijder, all of which have probably deserved the award more than either Messi or Ronaldo in certain seasons.
The players that are goalscorers and that have that flair whilst attacking have often been favoured by the jury that decides who wins the award, most of the time not fully appreciating other players that mastered other positions in the sport.
Modric might not have had a good start to this season, but he cannot be fully to blame for Real Madrid's disastrous start to the season, especially when the club was in transition. The club had just lost their charismatic manager, Zinedine Zidane, whilst also selling their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, failing to replace the two appropriately.
Modric was in great appreciation after he received the award, saying that it is for all those that should have won it, but did not, as Goal.com spoke out. Sneijder, one of those players that Modric directed this phrase at, expressed his thanks in a post on Instagram, saying:
Whilst the authorities received plenty of criticism for awarding Modric with the Ballon d'Or, others, including myself, agree that Modric fully merited the award.
Whilst this decision has been met with plenty of congratulations from the football world, several other fans and former players have expressed their disgust at the fact that a player who has started this season so badly with Real Madrid, was handed the award.
 |
| Luka Modric with the Ballon d'Or on Monday night |
In my opinion, the decision to hand Modric the award is merited, given that the midfielder practically carried Croatia on the way to last summer's FIFA World Cup final, despite them not winning it. Modric was also named as the best player of the whole competition. Apart from international duty, Modric also impressed at club level with Real Madrid, as they triumphed over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final.
To make my point even clearer, several central midfielders have been overlooked in recent past when it came to the Ballon d'Or, with the most notable ones being Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Wesley Sneijder, all of which have probably deserved the award more than either Messi or Ronaldo in certain seasons.
The players that are goalscorers and that have that flair whilst attacking have often been favoured by the jury that decides who wins the award, most of the time not fully appreciating other players that mastered other positions in the sport.
Modric might not have had a good start to this season, but he cannot be fully to blame for Real Madrid's disastrous start to the season, especially when the club was in transition. The club had just lost their charismatic manager, Zinedine Zidane, whilst also selling their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, failing to replace the two appropriately.
Modric was in great appreciation after he received the award, saying that it is for all those that should have won it, but did not, as Goal.com spoke out. Sneijder, one of those players that Modric directed this phrase at, expressed his thanks in a post on Instagram, saying:
Playing against you was both difficult and enjoyable. Seeing you dedicating the Ballon d'Or to other players including myself shows your greatness yet humbleness. Completely deserved Luka, congratulations!Sneijder was not given the award after he had a fantastic campaign for Inter in 2010, winning the treble, a feat that he was essential in. Apart from this, Sneijder was integral for the Netherlands as well, progressing all the way to the FIFA World Cup final in 2010, only to be beaten by Spain.
 |
| Sneijder pictured with Modric in a UEFA Champions League encounter between Inter and Tottenham |
Whilst the authorities received plenty of criticism for awarding Modric with the Ballon d'Or, others, including myself, agree that Modric fully merited the award.
Messi shouldn't have been ranked fifth. Also, if Modric won this year, then Iniesta and Sneijder definitely should have won it in previous years as they have done more than Modric did this year.
ReplyDeleteSneijder was one of the best playmakers in the world, and had the best year in terms of winning the treble and playing an integral role in the Inter and the Netherlands' success.
Delete