Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric speaks after winning the trophy for the Best FIFA Men's Player of 2018 Award during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on September 24, 2018 in London. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

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Rohr, Messi differ on FIFA player award

By Segun Balogun On Sep 25, 2018 0

Super Eagles’ of Nigeria head coach, Gernot Rohr and captain John Obi Mikel were not unanimous in picking the eventual winner of the 2018 Best FIFA Men’s Player award which went to Croatia international Luka Modric on Monday night.

France’s coach Didier Deschamps (C), winner of the Best FIFA Men’s Coach of 2018 Award, is flanked by Orlando Pride and Brazil forward Marta (R) and Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric (L) winners of the Best FIFA Women’s and Men’s Player of 2018 Award, as they pose for a photograph with their trophies during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on September 24, 2018 in London.

Surprisingly Rohr did not vote for his favourite player, Lionel Messi, as he went for Modric as his first choice, Eden Hazard in second and Kylian Mbappe in third. In Mikel’s case he opted for Lionel Messi, Mbappe and Modric in second and third position.

Modric, whose contributions with Croatia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia which saw them reach the final, despite losing the trophy to France must have fetched him the award. He also scored against Nigeria in the group stage and went on to win the Budweiser Man of the Match.

Read Also: 2018 BEST FIFA AWARDS: Modric wins to end Ronaldo, Messi dominance

The Croatia midfielder edged out former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohammed Salah who came second and third respectively.

The voting system is always decided by national team managers, national team captains, media representatives and online vote.