Sport
Modric, Marta Wins 2018 FIFA Best Player Of The Year Awards ⚽️
Real Madrid’s Croatia midfielder Luka Modric was named Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year for 2018, while Orlando Pride’s Brazil forward Marta won the women’s award at a ceremony on Monday.
Modric won the Champions League with Real and then played a major role in Croatia’s run to the World Cup final where they were beaten by France. “This award is not just mine. It is my team mates’ from Real Madrid and Croatia. Without my coaches, I would not have won this and without my family I would not be the player I am today,” said 33-year-old Modric.
It is the first time since Brazilian Kaka’s triumph in 2007 that the men’s prize was not won by either Cristiano Ronaldo or Barcelona’s Argentina forward Lionel Messi — neither of whom attended the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
Portugal international Ronaldo, who joined Juventus from Real Madrid in the close season, was second in this year’s awards with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in third place.
The 32-year-old Marta, whose Orlando Pride team reached the the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) playoff semi-finals, had won the previous FIFA Women’s Player of the Year award five times, most recently in 2010.
The Brazilian, who led her country to the Copa America title in April, beat Olympique Lyonnais pair Ada Hegerberg of Norway and Dzsenifer Marozsan of Germany to the award.
France’s World Cup-winning manager Didier Deschamps took the Men’s Coach of the Year award, with compatriot Reynald Pedros claiming the women’s award after winning the Champions League with Lyon.
Voting for the player and coach categories was conducted by national team captains and managers, selected journalists and, for the first time, an online poll of fans.
Real Madrid’s Belgium international Thibaut Courtois won the Goalkeeper of the Year Award.
Salah’s goal for Liverpool against Merseyside rivals Everton in the Premier League won the Goal of the Year, which is voted for by fans, ahead of Gareth Bale’s spectacular overhead kick for Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Leon Balogun, whose sudden absence from the Super Eagles squad raised concerns, especially after his comments on players’ welfare, has been cleared by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). The NFF has denied that his exclusion is related to his outspoken interview.
In a statement, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire addressed the rumors, stating that the claims were incorrect.
“The interview in question was in June 2021. Since then, Balogun has participated in seven games for the Super Eagles. This is verifiable. He was included in the squad for AFCON but missed out due to injury. He returned in 2022, playing in both World Cup qualifier matches against Ghana and in the AFCON qualifiers under coach Jose Peseiro,” Olajire explained.
He continued, “Claims that Balogun’s absence is due to his interview are unfair to the NFF. We do not make player selections for coaches, and the concerns raised by Balogun in that interview were addressed by us. No directive has been given by the NFF to blacklist him from the Super Eagles.”
With Eric Chelle’s list on the horizon, fans are hopeful for a potential Balogun return. His wealth of experience and continued presence in top-tier football make him a valuable asset, and many, including this writer, believe his inclusion would still be beneficial for the national team. Fingers crossed!
Ghana’s Black Satellites head coach, Desmond Ofei, has expressed his team’s relief at not being in the same group as Nigeria for the upcoming U-20 AFCON.
This follows their 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the final of the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Togo last year.
“We’re happy not to be in Group B because it’s a very competitive group,” Ofei shared with Joy Prime Sports. “I believe we’re in a position where we can control the flow of this tournament from our side.”
Ghana has been placed in Group A for the competition.
Super Eagles legend Garba Lawal canvas support for Eric Chelle as coach.
According to the former winger, neither Mourinho nor Ancelotti would’ve been under pressure if they were to take up Super Eagles job.
“There is no room for complacency,” Lawal told Brila FM.
“This is not about the NFF; it’s about Nigeria qualifying for the World Cup. Everyone must support the team.
“Even if Mourinho or Ancelotti took this job, they would still feel the pressure.
“Our situation can make the coach to be afraid, but for him to be bold enough to take the job, it is something different.
“It’s not every coach that will take this type of job. It takes courage to take on a role like this, given the current circumstances.”
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