#3 - Best Fifa Football Awards 2018
The Best Fifa Football Awards took place in London on Monday night as Fifa presented their fourth 'The Best' awards ceremony since separating their partnership from the Ballon d'Or in 2015. The worlds best football stars from around the globe attended the prestigious evening apart from arguably the two greatest footballers of all time; Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Their absence has been highly questioned and many believe it's to do with neither of them winning an award.
Starting with the female awards, the winner of the Best Fifa Women's Player of 2018 was Brazilian and Orlando Pride forward, 32 year-old Marta, who won the award for a record-breaking sixth time. During the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season, Marta scored 4 goals and grabbed 4 assists in 17 games, guiding her side to a seventh place finish.
Croatian midfield maestro Luka Modrić collected the Best Fifa Men's Player of 2018 award after captaining his unfavored country all the way to the World Cup final, playing a key role in Real Madrid's record breaking third consecutive Champions League trophy and winning the World Cup golden ball. Whilst his 2018 has been undoubtedly impressive, many have picked up on the fact he's the first player to win an individual award presented by Fifa other than Messi and Ronaldo since Brazilian legend Kaka in 2007. Messi and Ronaldo's consistent dominance has made it difficult for any other player to be individually recognised with these types of awards, however, Modrić's 2018 has been sensational and he has fully deserved this annual prize, especially after turning his career around since being named the worst signing of 2013 by Spanish newspaper Marca.
The Best Fifa Men's Player of 2018 award: Top 10
1. Luka Modrić - 29.05%
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - 19.08%
3. Mohamed Salah - 11.23%
4. Kylian Mbappé - 10.52%
5. Lionel Messi - 9.81%
6. Antoine Greizmann - 6.69%
7. Eden Hazard - 5.65%
8. Kevin De Bruyne - 3.54%
9. Raphael Varane - 3.45%
10. Harry Kane - 0.98%
These stats are an interesting observation as it gives the public an insight as to who the players think were 2018's stand out performers. Controversially, Messi didn't even make the top three having been consistently competing at the top for the last ten years. Despite their rivalry however, Messi voted Ronaldo third on his slip with Mbappé and Modrić ahead of him. On the other hand, Messi didn't even make Ronaldo's top three, with Varane in first spot and Modrić and Griezmann in second and third.
The Fifa FifPro World XI:
GK - David De Gea
RB - Dani Alves
CB - Raphael Varane
CB - Sergio Ramos
LB - Marcelo
CM - N'Golo Kanté
CM - Luka Modrić
CM - Eden Hazard
RW - Lionel Messi
ST - Cristiano Ronaldo
LW - Kylian Mbappé
This team is obviously sensational and would be difficult for anyone to defeat, however, I think there are a few players who's inclusion could be disputed. These include Dani Alves, Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappé. Whilst all these players are fantastic, they haven't performed to the same level as other players who could be in this team ahead of them. For example, Kyle Walker has had an exceptional first season at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, winning the Premier League and Carabao Cup in record breaking fashion. His rapid speed and never-ending energy, combined with his much improved passing game has been a joy to watch this season, and even his game intelligence to switch from right-back to centre-back during the World Cup for England clearly states his natural adaptability. Another Manchester City player who deserves his spot in the World XI ahead of Eden Hazard is his fellow countryman Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian playmaker has been the heartbeat of Manchester City's midfield this season, dictating games through his incredible vision and range of passing. Not only is he a forward minded player, his defensive skills have massively improved, moulding him into the perfect all-round midfielder and even being compared to Glenn Hoddle by pundits. Lastly, teenage sensation Kylian Mbappé was the latest player to feature alongside Messi and Ronaldo in the forward line since he exploded onto the scene early in 2017, Mbappé has surprised everyone with his mature mentality and incredible ability. Whilst he has had a sensational year, winning Ligue 1 with PSG and the World Cup with France under the leadership of manager Didier Deschamps who won The Best Fifa Men's Coach of 2018, I believe Mohamed Salah's season has been up there with the best, hence his third place position in the Best Fifa Men's Player of 2018. His exclusion from the World XI has baffled many football fans around the globe, especially as he finished higher in the voting than the man who's replaced him, Kylian Mbappé. Salah's unbelievable season with Liverpool finished with a Champions League final and a new Premier League goal record after he scored 32 goals in 36 appearances. This record is even more impressive when you remember outstanding talents such as Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Shearer had previously held the record before him. This year, the World XI has been highly controversial as it didn't correlate correctly with the Top 10 players of 2018 which confused many people, including myself.
Finally, the legendary Puskás award was won by Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah. Whilst he didn't quite make the World XI, his magical goal against Everton in December 2017 was voted goal of the year, despite it not even being voted goal of the month in the Premier League (Jermain Defoe won that for his lobbed finish against Bournemouth). Despite Salah's goal being a masterpiece, theres no doubt there were many better goals scored this year, even by Salah himself. His curler against Roma and his dribble against Watford where Britos stumbled over his own feet are two notable mentions. Ronaldo and Bale's breathtaking overhead kick Champions League goals were probably the best I've seen this year, but for the magnitude of the occasion I believe Bale deserved to win the Puskás award and was hard done by to be defeated by Salah's goal in the Merseyside derby.
The Ballon d'Or is next up, can Modrić emulate his 'The Best' heroics?
Starting with the female awards, the winner of the Best Fifa Women's Player of 2018 was Brazilian and Orlando Pride forward, 32 year-old Marta, who won the award for a record-breaking sixth time. During the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season, Marta scored 4 goals and grabbed 4 assists in 17 games, guiding her side to a seventh place finish.
Croatian midfield maestro Luka Modrić collected the Best Fifa Men's Player of 2018 award after captaining his unfavored country all the way to the World Cup final, playing a key role in Real Madrid's record breaking third consecutive Champions League trophy and winning the World Cup golden ball. Whilst his 2018 has been undoubtedly impressive, many have picked up on the fact he's the first player to win an individual award presented by Fifa other than Messi and Ronaldo since Brazilian legend Kaka in 2007. Messi and Ronaldo's consistent dominance has made it difficult for any other player to be individually recognised with these types of awards, however, Modrić's 2018 has been sensational and he has fully deserved this annual prize, especially after turning his career around since being named the worst signing of 2013 by Spanish newspaper Marca.
The Best Fifa Men's Player of 2018 award: Top 10
1. Luka Modrić - 29.05%
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - 19.08%
3. Mohamed Salah - 11.23%
4. Kylian Mbappé - 10.52%
5. Lionel Messi - 9.81%
6. Antoine Greizmann - 6.69%
7. Eden Hazard - 5.65%
8. Kevin De Bruyne - 3.54%
9. Raphael Varane - 3.45%
10. Harry Kane - 0.98%
These stats are an interesting observation as it gives the public an insight as to who the players think were 2018's stand out performers. Controversially, Messi didn't even make the top three having been consistently competing at the top for the last ten years. Despite their rivalry however, Messi voted Ronaldo third on his slip with Mbappé and Modrić ahead of him. On the other hand, Messi didn't even make Ronaldo's top three, with Varane in first spot and Modrić and Griezmann in second and third.
The Fifa FifPro World XI:
GK - David De Gea
RB - Dani Alves
CB - Raphael Varane
CB - Sergio Ramos
LB - Marcelo
CM - N'Golo Kanté
CM - Luka Modrić
CM - Eden Hazard
RW - Lionel Messi
ST - Cristiano Ronaldo
LW - Kylian Mbappé
This team is obviously sensational and would be difficult for anyone to defeat, however, I think there are a few players who's inclusion could be disputed. These include Dani Alves, Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappé. Whilst all these players are fantastic, they haven't performed to the same level as other players who could be in this team ahead of them. For example, Kyle Walker has had an exceptional first season at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, winning the Premier League and Carabao Cup in record breaking fashion. His rapid speed and never-ending energy, combined with his much improved passing game has been a joy to watch this season, and even his game intelligence to switch from right-back to centre-back during the World Cup for England clearly states his natural adaptability. Another Manchester City player who deserves his spot in the World XI ahead of Eden Hazard is his fellow countryman Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian playmaker has been the heartbeat of Manchester City's midfield this season, dictating games through his incredible vision and range of passing. Not only is he a forward minded player, his defensive skills have massively improved, moulding him into the perfect all-round midfielder and even being compared to Glenn Hoddle by pundits. Lastly, teenage sensation Kylian Mbappé was the latest player to feature alongside Messi and Ronaldo in the forward line since he exploded onto the scene early in 2017, Mbappé has surprised everyone with his mature mentality and incredible ability. Whilst he has had a sensational year, winning Ligue 1 with PSG and the World Cup with France under the leadership of manager Didier Deschamps who won The Best Fifa Men's Coach of 2018, I believe Mohamed Salah's season has been up there with the best, hence his third place position in the Best Fifa Men's Player of 2018. His exclusion from the World XI has baffled many football fans around the globe, especially as he finished higher in the voting than the man who's replaced him, Kylian Mbappé. Salah's unbelievable season with Liverpool finished with a Champions League final and a new Premier League goal record after he scored 32 goals in 36 appearances. This record is even more impressive when you remember outstanding talents such as Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Shearer had previously held the record before him. This year, the World XI has been highly controversial as it didn't correlate correctly with the Top 10 players of 2018 which confused many people, including myself.
Finally, the legendary Puskás award was won by Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah. Whilst he didn't quite make the World XI, his magical goal against Everton in December 2017 was voted goal of the year, despite it not even being voted goal of the month in the Premier League (Jermain Defoe won that for his lobbed finish against Bournemouth). Despite Salah's goal being a masterpiece, theres no doubt there were many better goals scored this year, even by Salah himself. His curler against Roma and his dribble against Watford where Britos stumbled over his own feet are two notable mentions. Ronaldo and Bale's breathtaking overhead kick Champions League goals were probably the best I've seen this year, but for the magnitude of the occasion I believe Bale deserved to win the Puskás award and was hard done by to be defeated by Salah's goal in the Merseyside derby.
The Ballon d'Or is next up, can Modrić emulate his 'The Best' heroics?
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