Luka Modric Wins UEFA Men

By Joshua Walters, Nigel Philips 

Real Madrid superstar, Luka Modric, has won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award for the 2017/18 season.

Modric, 32, claimed the award at the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League draw and awards event at Monaco Thursday

Modric was adjudged the winner ahead of Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, and then teammate, but now Juventus player, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The award category is selected through votes by captains and coaches of European clubs and some selected top European journalists.

The Croatia national team captain picks the award for the first time in an illustrious club football career that has seen him win three consecutive Champions League trophies with the Los Blancos.

Modric described the moment as ‘incredible’ and thanked the people who voted for him while reserving special praises for his, father Stipe Modric.

“It is an Incredible moment for me”, said the player who also picked up the Best Midfielder award on the night. “I feel really excited and proud of this great award. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me to receive this award. And to my club Real Madrid, my teammates, coaches that have supported me always in my good moments and less good moments; this award belongs to you.”

“My father is the first person who took me to my first training session and pushed me to fight for my dreams and never give up. I owe him a lot for everything.”

Below is the complete 2018/19 UEFA Champions League Group Stage pairings: