Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric was named best Croatian of the season. For the seventh year in row, he has won this award, given by the players and coaches of the league in Croatia.
Speaking to media, after accepting the award, Modric thanked everyone for what he done in football alongside team-mates so far.
“This trophy means a lot to me, thanks to everyone who voted, it is always good to receive this award from the players and the professionals. I must thank my teammates, without them this prize would not be possible.” Modric said.
“The atmosphere in the team is very good and we have enough quality to overcome all the difficulties, we are well trained and prepared in the best way possible. In the new season with Real Madrid we have the challenge of being the best again, and the same can be said about the national team.” Modric added.
Modric has been one of several Zinedine Zidane’s side players to have seen performance levels dip during the 2018/19 campaign as the club ended the year without a trophy. They only secured at third place in the La Liga, after the rivals Athletico Madrid and FC Barcelona.
In last year, the 33-year-old midfielder also won his third Champions League title in a row in May and guided Croatia to their first World Cup final in Russia. Two months after his team became the runners-up at the World Cup, Modric was given the men’s player of the year award by FIFA in London.
At the end of 2018 year, Modric also won the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first player other than Lionel Messi or former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the award in more than 10 years.
The Croatian and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric lifts his Ballon d’Or during La Liga match. (Source:www.marca.com)
“As a kid we all have dreams. My dream was to play for a big club and win important trophies. The Ballon d’Or was more than just a dream for me and it is really an honor and a privilege to hold this trophy.” Modric said.
The Croatian national football team skipper has scored 3 goals and 6 assists in 34 appearances in the 2018/19 season for Madrid.
