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2018 FIFA World Cup Awards: Modric wins Golden Ball and Kane the Golden Boot


Sunday July 15 marked the end of 32 days of the world's biggest football celebration. France was crowned World champion after beating Croatia 4-2. The FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) met to decide the distribution of the FIFA 2018 awards prior to France lifting the much coveted trophy.
Adidas Golden Ball: Luka Modric 

The Golden Ball, introduced in 1982, is arguably the most prestigious accolade of the tournament. Real Madrid and Croatia's superstar midfielder and captain, the most complete and consistent player of the tournament, served as the heart and soul of the Croatian team, tirelessly leading Croatia to its first World Cup final. Modric kept Croatia afloat in the first half of the semifinal game where they struggled against England. This supremely gifted No 10's two goals and one assist are slim in comparison to his impact in the midfield where he set the games' tempo and exploited gaps in opposition defenses. Modric had a total of 439 completed passes at the end of the tournament. Lionel Messi, Diego Forlan, Zinedine Zidane and Oliver Kahn were the Golden Ball winners in 2014, 2010, 2006 and 2002 respectively.
Adidas Silver Ball: Eden Hazard
Belgium had the most productive attack, scoring the most goals in the competition - 16. Belgium's captain Hazard carries a bulk of the credit as he wreaked havoc in opposition defenses with his world class dribbling skills and bursts of speed. He scored three goals and made two assists, and had nineteen successful dribbles in the penalty area.
Adidas Golden Boot: Harry Kane (six goals)

The Adidas Golden Boot is awarded to the player with the most number of goals at every FIFA World Cup finals. Harry Kane's goals were pivotal in leading England to their best World Cup finish since Italy 1990. Despite not being the best striker of the tournament, England captain Harry Kane finished as top scorer with six goals - three from penalty kicks. Kane has nonetheless been criticized for being barely involved in England's last three games. 
James Rodriguez (Colombia forward) won the award in 2014 with six goals and Germany's Thomas Muller won it in 2010 with 5 goals. Another German, Miroslav Klose won it in 2006 with five goals, while Brazil's Ronaldo won it in 2002 with a very impressive eight goal set.
Adidas Bronze Ball/Silver Boot: Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann, Atletico Madrid's playmaker played a decisive role in France's regular triumphs at the tournament. He scored four goals and made two assists - three through penalty kicks. He boasts of the best performance by a France player since Just Fontaine scored 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. 
Adidas Bronze Boot: Romelu Lukaku (four goals)
Lukaku and Hazard were the key men for Belgium in the group stages. Lukaku scored a total of four goals - two versus Panama and two versus Tunisia. Lukaku enjoyed a perfect start to the competition though he missed a few clear-cut scoring chances in the knock-outs.
FIFA Young Player Award: Kylian Mbappe

The FIFA Young Player award rewards the most impactful young player in the competition. Factors taken into consideration include: skill, charisma, style and sense of fair play. Kylian Mbappe undeniably merited the award as he outshone all other strikers at the World Cup. With his bursts of acceleration and searing pace, the 19-year-old Paris-Saint-Germain wonderkid scored four goals - three in the knockout stage and one in the final. Frenchman Paul Pogba was the recipient of the award in 2014.
Adidas Golden Glove Award: Thibaut Courtois 
Previously known as the Yashin Award, the Golden Glove is bagged by the goalkeeper with the best performance. Belgium's third place, its best finish in World Cup history was earned by having an exceptional goalkeeper and their tenacious defense. Courtois made the most of his large frame, conceding just six goals in seven games. He finished the tournament as the goalkeeper with the most saves - 27. The Chelsea goalkeeper made unbelievable saves with his outstanding reflexes, especially in the quarterfinal game that opposed Belgium to Brazil. Courtois made nine outstanding saves during that encounter. Belgium was beaten only once – at the semifinals - by the eventual champions, France. 
FIFA Fair Play Trophy: Spain
This award is handed to the team with the best disciplinary record. 2010 World champions Spain had a disappointing World Cup - knocked out by host nation Russia in the last 16 - but their behavior on the pitch was exemplary. In four games, they committed a mere 34 fouls and picked up just two yellow cards. Many fans expected Japan to win the award for their exemplary off-pitch behavior, but off-pitch behavior didn't feature in the criteria of selection. Colombia won the FIFA Fair Play Trophy at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. 


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