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Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois have hit out at Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone for insinuating that Modric and Courtois won awards because they play for Real Madrid. In an interview with Croatian media outlet Sportske Novosti, Modric talked about his frustration at Simeone's alegations of favoritism towards Real Madrid. He said, "I understand why Simeone has defended his own players." “I understand why he believes Griezmann was the best but in doing so he feels the need to disparage Real Madrid and the players here. “There are suggestions that there is something else behind why Madrid players win these trophies, and that is not the case. “I have a lot of respect for Atletico and Simeone, their players and their fans – they are a great club and whey they defeat us, I acknowledge it and congratulate them. “But we have been hugely successful too, we have beaten them in two finals and it is not fair to say these achieveme

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has responded to Luka Modric's Ballon d'or dedication to him with a message of thanks. Prior to 2018, no other players but Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won the Ballon d'Or award since Kaka in 2007. This year, Luka Modric put an end to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's stranglehold on the honor. In his acceptance speech, Modric said,  "Maybe there were other players who could have won it in recent years and didn't like  Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta or [Wesley] Sneijder  but it wasn't to be for them."   "Now people wanted something different and it is a victory for football so I'm very happy but this award is also for those players who probably deserved to win but didn't." In response to Modric's speech, Xavi told reporters at the presentation of the Losail Stadium (in Qatar), "It was very nice for me to hear that and the truth is that  it is much appreciated "  "I

2018 Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric has criticized Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi who won the last 10 Ballon d'Or trophies for failing to attend this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony. Modric believes the duo are only interested in awards when they are the winners. Croatia captain Modric became the first player other than Ronaldo or Messi to win the Ballon d'or since Kaka in 2007. Modric was pivotal this year to both Real Madrid - who won the Champions League, and to Croatia - World Cup finalists. In an exclusive interview with Croatia's Sportske Novosti, Modric expressed his discontentment with Ronaldo and Messi's conduct. “I cannot say why someone did not attend – that’s their choice,” he said. "It turns out these choices and trophies only have value when they get them. “It is not fair to their playing colleagues, or to the voters who have nominated them for the past 10 years – nor for football or supporters. “But I repeat, everyone behaves

Monday, December 3 was a memorable night for Luka Modric, as he beat the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or. Luka Modric is the first Croatian to win the prestigious award. The 33-year-old played a pivotal role captaining Croatia to second place at the 2016 World Cup in Russia. Modric also played a major role in Real Madrid's midfield as they won their third consecutive Champions League Title.  Modric is the first player to break the Messi and Ronaldo Ballon d'Or duopoly since 2007. Brazil icon Kaka was the last to lift the trophy before Ronaldo and Messi won 5 Ballon d'Or awards each across the following years. When accepting his Ballon d'Or award, Modric said,  "It's a unique feeling, I'm happy, proud and it's an honor," he said as he accepted the award. "[There are] extraordinary emotions at the moment. "I just want to thank all those who helped

The Golden Ball/Ballon d'Or is on offer as a 30-man shortlist was announced by France Football throughout yesterday. The Ballon d'Or has been the biggest individual prize in football since 1956. The Ballon d'Or is now separate from the FIFA Player of the year award, as the latter was awarded last month (September). The FIFA Men's award was won by Croatia captain Luka Modric, while Brazil forward Marta won the women's award. The Ballon d'Or awards ceremony shall hold in Paris on Monday December 3. The three major player awards are: the Ballon d'Or, the Female Ballon d'Or, and the Kopa trophy - named after French international Raymond Kopa. The criteria for the Ballon d'Or are: players' talent and fair play, their performances during the calendar year and career achievements. Winners of the past 10 Ballon d'Or awards, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo feature, along with Premier League stars Eden Hazard, Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane.  Vo