Was Luka Modric Deserving of the 2018 Ballon d’Or?
This December Luka Modric became the first Croatian to win the esteemed French award, an individual achievement that had been dominated for the past decade by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Many weren't surprised, after witnessing the results of the FIFA equivalent earlier that September. Yet, the question remains: was he worthy of such an award?
The award itself is voted on by an international jury of journalists who choose from a 23-player shortlist constructed by the editorial staff of France Football magazine. Due to the subjective nature of the Ballon d’Or it’s difficult to cement a strong set of criterion for the players to be compared with- adding to the of complexity of Modric’s win.
While it ultimately comes down to a matter of opinion, the jury does follow an ideal set of parameters to judge the nominees:
- Individual and collective performances (winners) during the year.
- Player class (talent and fair play).
- Overall judgment of the player’s career.
Modric had an exceptional year- he was without a doubt the best midfielder in Europe, and secured another Champions league trophy for a third consecutive year alongside his teammates at Real Madrid. Off the field the Croatian is unbelievably humble and a sportsman of the highest caliber. For many years journalists around the world tired of seeing Ronaldo and Messi monopolize over the position of best player, and in all fairness it’s refreshing to see a midfielder stand atop.
Even with his record second-place finish in the 2018 world cup, not to mention his other-worldly leadership and effort in the tournament itself, how did Modric compare to the former winners? The truth remains- he didn’t.
Messi’s Sub-Par Year
Lionel Messi, by his accounts, had a decent season. It wasn’t his best calendar performance, and his trophy cabinet had to settle for the Copa Del Rey and La Liga. Many critiqued his round-of-16 sendoff with Argentina during the World Cup and dismal quarter final loss against Roma in the Champions League Cup. Nonetheless, it is an understatement to mention that he is from another planet. The year’s stats only support the unequivocal fact:
- La Liga Top Scorer (34)
- Europe Top Scorer (45)
- Most Assists (18)
- Most Free Kick Goals (7)
- Most Chances Created (94)
- Most Key Passes (80)
- Most Successful Take-Ons (200+)
- Most Man Of The Match awards in Europe
Ronaldo’s 2018
Comparing him to his past seasons Cristiano Ronaldo has lacked his usual splendor, at least on paper. Despite a stunning Champions league start, he failed to get on the scoring board past Real Madrid’s Quarter Final match-ups. Ronaldo’s World Cup was much more disheartening. Portugal’s unimpressive performance saw it fall out after a round-of-16 loss to Uruguay. A sexual assault accusation during the year only subtracted to his image off the field.
The most impactful shift in Ronaldo’s season came from his controversial move to the Italian titan, Juventus. Many journalists viewed this as reflective of his relationship with his former team. To add to the upsetting list, Ronaldo failed for the first time since 2010 to reach 50 goals in a calendar year, settling at 49 after a double against Sampdoria.
Even with these facts not in his favor, Cristiano’s excellence on the pitch has been undeniable. Leading the Serie A score boards with 14 goals, Ronaldo became the fastest Portuguese player to reach 10 goals in his debut season with Juve. Although he has begun to slow his scoring rate, at 33 Ronaldo is beyond human. Few will forget his magical overhead kick against Juventus in the Champions, and his individual hat-trick against Spain in the world cup gave proof to the notion that he is as deadly as ever.
Why Modric Won
Ultimately, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will go down as one of the two greatest footballers of all time. Their legacy is timeless, and only by their standards were their 2018 seasons sub-par. What makes Modric only a little more deserving were the most recent chapters of his overall career; the final criteria for the Ballon d’Or emphasizes long-term growth. A refuge from the Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995), Modric has had a difficult life. Incessant comments about his height and poor background have only toughened the midfielder, and in all reality, the prologue to his story truly reverbrates the words: ‘coming from nothing.’
Modric made a name for himself, and has added a very successful year to his accolades, reaching history with his national side and breaking records with Real Madrid on the European stage. No person can truly be disappointed with the results of the 2018 Ballon d’Or, because a deserving man truly earned it. While Modric is by no means the greatest footballer on the planet at the moment, it is a joy to watch him play and receive recognition for his efforts. Modric’s Ballon d’Or serves as a reminder that there exists wonderful talent within the footballing world, and while it’s wholly acceptable to relish in the extraterrestrial delight of CR7 and LM10, there have been many players hidden behind their limelight. Luka Modric won this award in memory of the past greats who never truly got commemorated, notably Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.
Now that the Croatian astro ended the decade-long streak paved by the ‘Little Magician’ and CR7, who will win the 2019 award?
