Luka Modric Beats the Big Two in a Football Shake‑Up
Just when the world thought Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were the unstoppable duo of football, Luka Modric swooped in to crown himself the FIFA Best Player 2024. The Croatia midfielder stole the spotlight on a Saturday that blended Champions League glory with a World Cup drama that left the football gods in awe.
Why It’s a Big Deal
- Modric triumphs over
– Cristiano Ronaldo (5‑times trophy holder)
– Mohamed Salah (Champions League hero) - Real Madrid nets a third consecutive Champions League, giving the club a milestone win that feels like a late‑night pizza party.
- Croatia reaches its first World Cup final, a Cinderella story that would put a fairy tale to shame.
- The 33‑year‑old harnesses his playmaking magic, shining as the sole reason Croatia punched their luck in the opposition’s net.
Modric’s 2024 Highlights
- 2 goals + 2 penalties: the perfect recipe for a gem in the Euro‑shock knockout rounds.
- A season described by the midfielder as “the best season in my life” – partial‑truth, but spelled with emotion.
- “I’m still not realizing how good a year I had collectively, individually, super proud… is remembered forever.”
Ronaldo and Messi Keep Their Gold
Even with Modric’s arrival at the top, Ronaldo and Messi stay tied at five Best Player awards each. Ronaldo continued to hit the ball past the net:
- 6‑goals in the Champions League (top scorer for a sixth year)
- 4 in the World Cup, including a dramatic 3‑3 hat‑trick with Spain
Messi missed the ceremony in London and was out of the final top‑10 in favour of Salah – the first time in 12 years Messi didn’t ship to the finals. Salah had a stellar debut season with Liverpool (44 goals) but a shoulder injury stole his Champions League glory.
Other Newsflash Stars
- Ramos, Varane, Marcelo – joined Modric on the FIFPro Team of the Year.
- Real’s De Gea, Dani Alves, and Mbappé were also featured.
- France’s Didier Deschamps scooped Best Coach after guiding Les Bleus to Russia’s World Cup triumph.
- Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois captured Best Goalkeeper for his double duty across the World Cup and FA Cup.
- Marta earned her record‑setting sixth Best Women’s Player, while Reynald Pedros won Best Women’s Coach.
Final Thought
From golden feet to golden moments, Modric’s win reminds us that football isn’t just about scoring goals – it’s about creativity, teamwork, and occasionally a sprinkle of genius that even the greatest stars can’t resist. Cheers to a season that gave everyone a role to play, and to Modric, who proved nobody’s too big to be outclassed on a glitter‑packed stage.
