The Best FIFA Awards: Here's the complete list of winners
The much-awaited winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards have finally been declared. The ceremony was held in held in London yesterday and the event was a gala affair despite Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi's absence. Luka Modric took home the prize for the best men's player award as Brazil's Marta was named the best women's player. Here is the list of all winners.
Winners of the men's and women's Player of 2018
Luka Modric grabbed the Men's Player of The Year award after his phenomenal performances for club and country. He captained Croatia to the World Cup final with valiant displays in each of the matches. Modric also played a huge part in Real Madrid winning the Champions League 2017-18. The Women's Player of The Year went to Brazil's Marta, who won the Copa America Femenina.
Who scored the best goal of 2017-18?
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah clinched the Puskas Award for the best goal. His strike against Everton, in a Premier League match, was a display of unparalleled footwork and a great finish. He was in competition with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Gareth Bale among others. Salah was also one of the nominees of the Best Player Award.
Who was elected as the best manager?
Croatian national team manager Zlatko Dalic, former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, and France national team's manager Didier Deschamps were the nominees for the men's coach award. Didier Deschamps, one of the three players to have won the World Cup both as player and manager, took home the trophy for leading a young French side to World Cup glory.
History of the award
The Best FIFA Football Awards was launched in 2016 for the first time and was awarded on January 9, 2017. FIFA launched this award mainly after splitting with Ballon d'Or. Notably, from 2010 to 2015 the awards were presented jointly by FIFA and France Football. Earlier, FIFA used to present the FIFA World Player of The Year, which was held from 1991 to 2009.
FIFA's Player of The Year: Who were the past winners?
Zinedine Zidane has jointly won the award for a record three times- in 1998, 2000, and 2003. Ronaldo, the Brazilian forward, has also won the award thrice, in 1996, 1997, and 2002. Ronaldinho won twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005. CR7 and Messi have won the award once each, with Ronaldo winning the inaugural The Best FIFA Player of The Year (2017).