The Best FIFA Football Awards 2018 came to an end on Monday, but news of how the voting went down continues to circulate. Luka Modric emerged triumphant for the big prize, The Best Men's Player prize, beating Cristiano Ronaldo to the title by outscoring the Portuguese icon in the polling.
The Croatian, however, won less than half of the votes. With national team captains and managers, alongside media officials, deciding on the winner, only 29.05 percent chose the Real Madrid midfielder.
In second was Ronaldo, and he trailed his former team-mate by some distance, receiving 19.08 percent. Salah, who finished third, racked up 11.23 percent of the votes.
Kylian Mbappé got more votes than Lionel Messi for The Best Fifa Men's Player award. pic.twitter.com/jCQzaVBtRz
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 25, 2018
As mentioned earlier, national team captains have voting rights in this award, with the skipper's choosing their three best players of the year. This means that the likes of Modric, Cristiano, and Messi, all of which wear the armband for their respective nations, had a say in the outcome.
Both Luka and Cristiano made sure not to choose each other as their first pick, as the number one name on a player's vote earns five points. The World Cup Golden Ball winner went with Raphael Varane followed by the Juventus ace and Antoine Griezmann. Meanwhile, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner also went with Varane first, followed by Modric and then Griezmann.
As for Messi, his approach was hailed by many as he gave recognition where recognition was due. See how they voted below.
Luka Modric
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Raphael Varane (France and Real Madrid)
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal and Juventus)
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Antoine Griezmann (France and Atletico Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo
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Raphael Varane (France and Real Madrid)
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Luka Modric (Croatia and Real Madrid)
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Antoine Griezmann (France and Atletico Madrid)
Eden Hazard
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Luka Modric (Croatia and Real Madrid)
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Raphael Varane (France and Real Madrid)
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Kylian Mbappe (France and PSG)
Manuel Neuer
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Eden Hazard (Belgium and Chelsea)
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Luka Modric (Croatia and Real Madrid)
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Raphael Varane (France and Real Madrid)
Harry Kane
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal and Juventus)
Lionel Messi (Argentina and Barcelona)
Kevin de Bruyne (Belgium and Man City)
Lionel Messi
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Luka Modric (Croatia and Real Madrid)
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Kylian Mbappe (France and PSG)
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal and Juventus)
Yes, after years of battling each other in the Ballon d'Or race, Leo finally voted for his rival after snubbing each other for many years. This move by the Argentine earned him praise on social media. Check out the best tweets below.
Leo Messi's votes for the top 3:
— BarcaTimes (@BarcaTimes) September 25, 2018
1. Luka Modric
2. Kylian Mbappé
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo didn't vote for Messi in his top three! pic.twitter.com/BrjFiigEid
Lionel Messi:
— Soccer Memes (@SoccerMemes) September 25, 2018
Votes for Modric, from a rival team, a player who scored vs Argentina in the WC
Votes for Mbappe, who didn't vote him in his top 3 & scored vs #ARG to knock them out of the WC
Votes for Ronaldo, his nemesis
The humble GOAT pic.twitter.com/dUStczljUu
Just saw that Messi voted for Modric, Mbappe, and Ronaldo.
— Juan (@socraticjuan) September 24, 2018
It takes a certain type of character to vote for the best player of your rival club, your rival, and the 19 year old who eliminated you from the World Cup and idolizes your rival.
#FIFAFootballAwards
— infosmessi (@INFOSMESSl) September 24, 2018
Messi's votes for the top 3:
1. Luka Modric
2. Kylian Mbappé
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
____________
Cristiano Ronaldo did not vote for Messi in his top three. pic.twitter.com/z4nIx78tgK
Difference b/w Messi and Others:-
— S H O Ã I B (@MisterShebi) September 25, 2018
Ronaldo Hates Messi So He Voted
Varane
Modric
Griezmann
Kane's England lost the Semi vs Croatia so he ignored Modric & voted
Ronaldo
Messi
KDB
Despite losing vs Croatia & Fra Messi voted for
Luka Modric
Mbappe
Ronaldo #FIFAFootballAwards
Messi: Votes Ronaldo to win FIFA Best.
— 888sport (@888sport) September 25, 2018
Ronaldo: Votes Varane, Modric and Griezmann.
Toys. Pram. Thrown. pic.twitter.com/Yjs7r2JZNs