Luka Modric wins the men's player of the year award. Modric was named Best Fifa Footballer of the Year in a London ceremony noted as much for the the players in absentia as the awards.
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| The Best Fifa Men's Player - Luka Modric |
The Croatian beat Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo to become the first player other than Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to win since Kaka in 2007.
Though Modric was keen to avoid any debate over former teammate Ronaldo, he did say both his and Messi's absence from the ceremony was noted. "I don't want to enter into the debate of whether it is deserved or not, I just want to thank all the people that voted for me for their support.
"Everyone has their own reasons. Obviously I would have liked them to be here but they aren't."
Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos also made mention of the two superstars skipping the event. “He (Modric) is a good player, colleague and friend, but it would have been good for Cris and Leo to be here,” he said.
“I am as happy as if I had won it. Modric deserves it, he is an excellent player and has marked an important era in the history of Real Madrid.”
The award was decided by national team coaches and captains, select members of the media and online voting. Modric acknowledged both his club and national team achievements, which included winning the Golden Ball at the World Cup, as the deciding factors in claiming the award.
"It is for the season we had with Real Madrid, winning the Champions League again, and then getting to the final with Croatia, it all counts," he said. "The emotion is huge because it is the work of everyone. So many people have come together and so many have supported me."
Messi's omission from the top three garnered particular attention ahead of this, the third edition of The Best awards, which were created after Fifa's six-year partnership with the Ballon d'Or ended in 2015.
Speaking after receiving the award, Modric said:
It's a great honour and beautiful feeling to stand here with this trophy.
I would like to give congratulations to Mohamed and Cristiano for the great season that they had. I am sure in the future you will have another opportunity to fight for this.
This trophy is not just mine. It is for my Real Madrid team-mates, the Croatia national team and all my coaches. This is also for my family, without who I would not be the player I am.
It's a big honour for me to be here tonight and receive this award. It was a matter of course when I got asked to help someone with blood cancer.
The best thing about the story is that there are many new people who got registered in the Netherlands which makes me very proud.
Other Awards
Barcelona's talisman was, however, included in Fifa's team of the year, the Fifpro World XI, as were David de Gea, Dani Alves, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, N'Golo Kante, Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe, and Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, Salah was handed a consolation prize for his record-breaking season with Liverpool, taking home the Fifa Puskas award for his goal in the Merseyside derby.
Marta was named Best Women's Player
Brazil and Orlando Pride player Marta was named Best Women's Player for a record-breaking sixth time.
Other winners included Thibaut Courtois for Best Goalkeeper and France national team coach Didier Deschamps and Lyon manager Reynald Pedros for Best Men's and Women's Coach respectively.
The Best Fifa Women's Player - Marta
Ada Hegerberg (Lyon & Norway)
Dzsenifer Marozsan (Lyon & Germany)
Marta (Orlando Pride & Brazil)
Last year it was Barcelona's Dutch midfielder who took home the award. In 2018, it is Marta who is crowned the best Fifa Women's Player.
Her cause was helped by 13 goals and six assists in helping Orlando Pride to NWSL play-offs. She also captained Brazil to Copa America Femenina title, winning all seven games at the finals.
It's an emotional speech from the Brazilian.
Fifa Fifpro World11
Here's your dream team.
David De Gea
Dani Alves
Raphael Varane
Sergio Ramos
Marcelo
Luka Modric
N'Golo Kante
Eden Hazard
Lionel Messi*
Kylian Mbappe
Cristiano Ronaldo *
Ronaldo and Messi were not in attendance to pick up their shiny trophies from the hat-wearing Ronaldinho and Michael Ballack
The Fifa Fair Play Award - Lennart Thy
German striker Lennart Thy missed a game for VVV-Venlo against PSV Eindhoven to donate stem cells to try and help a Leukaemia patient.
Thy, who was on loan at the top-flight Dutch club from Werder Bremen, was a DNA match.
The Fifa Fan Award - Peru supporters - World Cup.
It's the Peru fans who get the nod for this one, in an award voted for by the fans. Well played.
Fan of the year
Sebastian Carrera, Coquimbo Unido – Chilean Primea B
No one expected anyone to be backing Puerto Montt in Chile’s Primera B, with the visitors making a 3,000km round trip to face Coquimbo. But Sebastián Carrera stunned his own team by arriving to cheer them on, while the hosts had to open an entire tribune just for him. The only Puerto Montt fan to witness his side’s win, the team dedicated the triumph to him and his incredible loyalty.
Japan and Senegal supporters - World Cup
While dedication and passion were clear for all to see when fans of Japan and Senegal brought noise and colour to Russia 2018, they also went beyond the call of duty as fans. Showing unrivalled respect for fellow supporters and their hosts, the images of them cleaning stadiums after their team’s games drew huge praise from onlookers worldwide.
Peru supporters - World Cup
Travelling halfway around the globe to witness your country’s first appearance at a World Cup in 36 years is an achievement alone, but the 40,000 Peruvians who descended on Russia did more than just get behind their team. While every Blanquirroja game was a cauldron of noise thanks to them, their enthusiasm and openness saw them taken to the hearts of locals and rival fans alike, bringing red and white joy to the tournament.
Awards recap
The Fifa Puskás Award - Mohamed Salah
The Best Fifa Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois
The Best Fifa Men's Coach - Didier Deschamps
Best Fifa Women's Coach - Reynald Pedros
Best Fifa Women's Coach - Reynald Pedros
Reynald Pedros (Lyon)
Asako Takakura (Japan)
Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands)
It's double French coaching success! Lyon's Reynald Pedros wins the Best Fifa Women's Coach award. He guided his side to the league and UEFA Women’s Champions League double and also the Coupe de France Feminine final. Lyon were also unbeaten in the league. A worthy winner.
The Best Fifa Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium & Real Madrid)
Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark & Leicester)
Hugo Lloris (France & Tottenham)
Former Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois beats Schmeichel and Lloris. It's a short and sweet acceptance speech, including a thank you to his former Chelsea team-mates. Nice touch Thibaut.
The Best Fifa Men's Coach - Didier Deschamps
Zlatko Dalic (Croatia)
Didier Deschamps (France)
Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)
From one Frenchman to another...
Arsene Wenger announces Didier Deschamps as the winner of the Best Fifa Men's Coach.
He of course led France to World Cup glory this summer and became only the third man to do so as a player and coach.
The Fifa Puskás Award - Mohamed Salah
His Merseyside derby goal on Dec 10 2017 was named the goal of the year.
"I'm very happy and proud. I have to thank everyone who voted for me. I'm looking forward to another award tonight."
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah was presented with the Fifa Puskas award by Noel Gallagher and Didier Drogba
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