In a high-profile annual festival at London's Royal Festival Hall, The Best FIFA Football Awards Monday night was hosted as a soccer gala. Ambilight full surrounded, stars gathered, and a glittering ceremony was made in history.
The 33-year-old Croatia captain Luka Modric takes on the trophy from FIFA's president Infantine, with the leading honor lighting on a glorious moment of his life. FIFA Best Men's Player award of 2018, Modric made a real achievement this year and it was known all around the world.
2018 World Cup winner, French coach Didier Deschamps, Brazilian legend Marta (forward) and first-time nominee Reynald Pedros were awarded as The Best Men's Coach, The Best Women's Player and The Best Women's coach respectively.
The list of 2018 Best FIFA Football Awards in full. /Infographic by Du Chenxin
Rise to the top
Modric beat his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah to win the world's best male player, ending the decade-long domination of the award by Ronaldo and Messi.
The midfielder led Real Madrid to a third consecutive Champions League title before winning Golden Ball as the best player at the World Cup this year, in which Croatia reached the final for the first time.
"It was an unbelievable season, the best season in my life," said Modric.
"This award is not just mine," Modric said. "It is my teammates' from Real Madrid and Croatia."
Screenshot from Real Madrid football club's Twitter account.
Luka Modric posted his awarded photo on his Twitter account.
Before that, Modric has already been voted for Player of the Year for last season by UEFA, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah and Lionel Messi in the same way, becoming only the third player other than Ronaldo and Messi to win the award since it was introduced in 2011.
Also, Modric won the best player award at the World Cup tournament after leading Croatia national team to an incredible World Cup final in this summer.
"I'm still not realizing how good a year I had collectively, individually, and I'm very proud for everything I achieved this year and it will be remembered forever."
Goal of the year
FIFA President Infantine (L) and Mohamed Salah of Egypt pose for a picture after The Best FIFA Football Awards at Royal Festival Hall in London on September 24, 2018. /VCG Photo
Puskas Award, which was named after the Hungarian former Real Madrid player, is awarded to the goal of the year.
It was voted entirely by fans, with a total received of 38 percent by Egyptian and Everton striker Mohamed Salah.
Salah scored the goal during the Everton's Premier League match with Liverpool at Anfield last December.
Star-studded FIFPro World11
An all-star show during the ceremony. /VCG photo
FIFA and the worldwide players' union FIFPro announced the 55 nominees in contention for the FIFA FIFPro World11 2018 on September, 10. Modric was on the list together with his teammate Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were among the stars with no surprise.
The final World11 line-up was selected by thousands of players across the world. Luka Modric was joined together with teammate Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane. David De Gea, Dani Alves, Eden Hazard, N'Golo Kante, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are in the column.
No show Ronaldo & Messi, era ends
Neither Ronaldo nor Messi attend the Best FIFA Awards in London. /VCG Photo
Not a majority of people would like to imagine that it's midfield player Modric who eventually breaks the decade-domination of Ronaldo and Messi.
For the first time in 12 years, Messi was not among the finalists with third place going to Salah for his incredible 44-goal debut season with Liverpool that carried the Reds to the Champions League final.
Both Ronaldo and Messi have announced that they will miss the ceremony one day ahead.
Over the past decade, Ronaldo and Messi have taken 10-times world best player. The two legends won five trophies each, equaling in terms of quality. However, Messi had won five awards by 2015, while Ronaldo has been chasing all the way, and finally caught up.
Croatia daily sports newspaper Sportske Novosti made a headline for Luka Modric. /Screenshot from SN official website
As the captain of Argentina, Messi surprisingly casted a vote for Ronaldo, together with Modric and Mbappe, while Ronaldo voted the first for his former teammate Varane Raphael. The following Choice of Ronaldo are Modric and Griezmann. Luka Modric made the same choice for Varane Raphael and Griezmann, left the second place for Ronaldo.
The Best FIFA vs Ballon d'Or
FIFA decided to end the association with Ballon d'Or prize since 2016, which was awarded by France Football magazine since 1956.
The Ballon d'Or, which was only voted by worldwide journalists, has ever been merged to Best FIFA Football Award from 2010 to 2015.
For the first time, online poll of fans has been added to the Best FIFA Football Award.Players and coaches categories was conducted by national team captains and managers, selected journalists from all over the world will be included. Each category has a 25% in total.
The nominees for 2018 Ballon d'Or will be released on October. Whether Ronaldo & Messi continue their domination or the newly FIFA's best player Modric becomes one, let's wait to see it.
(With input from AFP)