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Tag: Luka Modric

  • Modric joins Milan in one-year deal

    Modric joins Milan in one-year deal

    Croatia captain Luka Modric, who left Real Madrid after 13 years at the LaLiga club, has completed his move to AC Milan on a one-year deal with an option to extend until June 2027, the Serie A side has said.

    The midfielder’s arrival was confirmed by newly-appointed Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri earlier this month.

    “Very happy to be here to start a new chapter in my career,” said Modric, who turns 40 in September, in an Instagram video shared by Milan.

    Milan said Modric will wear the number 14 shirt, which he previously wore during his four years at English side Tottenham Hotspur to honour Dutch great Johan Cruyff.

    “It’s an immense honour for them to compare me to (Cruyff)… I wore the no. 14 at Tottenham in honour of him, and because the no. 10 wasn’t available,” Modric had said after winning the Ballon d’Or award in 2018.

    Modric, regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, announced in May that he would leave Real after the Club World Cup. He has made 597 appearances for the Spanish club, winning 28 trophies including four LaLiga and six Champions League titles.

    He played his last game for Real on Wednesday, coming on as a second-half substitute during a 4-0 loss to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

    “It’s a bitter end… he’s a legend of world football and of Real Madrid. He’ll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today,” Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said after the match.

    Read Also: CAF mourns ex-President Buhari

    Modric, considered Croatia’s greatest player of all time, has represented the country a record 188 times, scoring 28 goals. He won the Golden Ball at World Cup 2018, where he led Croatia to the final for the first time.

    He won the Ballon d’Or in December that year, becoming the first player other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the prestigious annual award since 2007.

    Modric’s arrival reinforces a Milan midfield that also features Youssouf Fofana, Yunus Musah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with Samuele Ricci joining from Torino earlier this month.

    Milan, who failed to qualify for a European competition after finishing eighth in the Italian top-flight league last season, begin their Serie A campaign against newly-promoted Cremonese on August 23.

  • Modric to leave Real Madrid after Club World Cup

    Modric to leave Real Madrid after Club World Cup

    Real Madrid’s Croatian midfielder Luka Modric would leave the Spanish giants after the Club World Cup this summer.

     “Everything in life has a start and an end… on Saturday I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabeu,” said Modric, 39, in a post on Instagram, as he reaches the end of his contract with Los Blancos.

     “I’m leaving with a full heart, filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories.

     “And even though, after the Club World Cup, I’m no longer going to wear this shirt on the pitch, I will always be a Madrid fan.”

    The Croatian has played nearly 600 games for Real Madrid since joining from Tottenham in 2012, winning the Champions League six times, the Copa del Rey twice and four La Liga titles among 28 trophies in total.

    Modric struggled at the start of his Madrid career after a move worth around 35 million euros ($40 million) but quickly found his footing and developed into one of the world’s best midfielders.

    Modric, who became Madrid captain last summer, won the Ballon d’Or in 2018 for his performances with Madrid and also his country, as Croatia finished as runners-up at the World Cup in Russia.

     “Throughout these years I’ve experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabeu,” continued Modric. “We won it all and I was very happy. Very, very happy.”

    Modric signed a one-year contract extension until June 30, 2025 last summer, but may stay a few days beyond that if Madrid progress from their Club World Cup group as expected. The tournament finishes on July 13.

     “Real Madrid and our captain Luka Modric have agreed to end an unforgettable era… after the Club World Cup that our team will compete in from June 18 in the United States,” said Madrid in a statement.

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     “Real Madrid want to show their gratitude and affection to someone who is one of the biggest legends at our club and in world football…

     “Modric is one of the five players who, in the whole of football history, has managed to win six European Cups, and he is the player with the most trophies in 123 years of Real Madrid’s existence.”

    The midfielder scored 43 goals for Madrid in 590 games, and is the club’s ninth-highest appearance maker. Former striker Raul is first with 741 games.

    “Modric will always stay in the hearts of all Madrid fans as a unique and exemplary footballer, who has always represented Madrid’s values,” said Madrid president Florentino Perez.

     “Madrid fans and all fans in the world fell in love with his football, his legacy will remain forever.”

    Tributes from his team-mates past and present poured in on social media.

     “The only thing outweighing my sadness right now is the gratitude I feel for having had the honour of being your teammate,” wrote Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham on Instagram, sharing a picture of himself and Modric.

     “You’re a constant reminder of everything that is beautiful about football.”

    “Legend,” wrote Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior under Modric’s post.

    Real Betis playmaker Isco, who played alongside Modric at Madrid for nine seasons wrote: “To be loved by everyone is the most difficult thing and you have achieved it with your football and the way you are.”

    Modric’s impending departure is another blow for Madrid, who were already lacking in midfield after Toni Kroos retired last summer.

    Los Blancos have however already signed defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth and are set to bring in Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold at the end of his contract.

  • Breaking! Luka Modric Wins Ballon d’Or

    Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or for the year 2018.

    He received the honour in a glittering ceremony in Paris on Monday.

    “It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s a big pleasure to be here among all these players.

    “I am still trying to realise that I have become part of a group of exceptional players to win the Ballon d’Or throughout history,” Modric said after winning the award.

    World Cup winners Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe were among the closest challengers to Modric for the most coveted player award in the sport.

    The ceremony was hosted by former Tottenham and Newcastle star David Ginola.

    Missing out on first prize this year was Juventus striker Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times since 2008.

    The Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Ballon d’Or duopoly is no more after Luka Modric won the award for the first time in Paris on Monday.

    Hegerberg wins women’s Ballon d’Or

    Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg won the inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or.

    She scored an incredible 42 goals in 25 games for her club last term.

    “I want to ask every young woman to believe in themselves,” she says upon receiving the award.

    Mbappe wins Kopa Trophy

    Kylian Mbappe won the inaugural Kopa Trophy.

    The French youngster has been named as the best Under-21 player in the world.

    Chapeau, Kylian.

    The PSG forward said: “This is award just makes me hungrier to go on & achieve more… my next aim is to lift absolutely every trophy.”

    Factoid for you, from my colleague Jake Polden, the Kopa Trophy is named after the third ever winner of the Ballon d’Or, Raymond Kopa, who won the award in 1958.

    Every day is a school day on Mirror Football.

  • Ronaldo deserves Ballon d’or – Allegri

    Massimiliano Allegri believes Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the Ballon D’Or, following media reports that the forward has not been short-listed for the award’s final three for the first time since 2010.

    The Portugal international has won the prize, run by French magazine France Football and awarded to the world’s best player annually, five times and finished as runner-up five times since 2007.

    Media have reported that the podium for this year’s prize would be made up of Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric and Raphael Varane of Real Madrid.

    The winner would be named at a ceremony in Paris on Dec. 3.

    “He is doing well and yesterday he trained well. For what he has done, as I’ve said several times, he will deserve the Ballon D’Or,” Allegri said.

    Allegri shot down suggestions that his side were facing an injury crisis in midfield ahead of the visit of SPAL in Serie A on Saturday.

    Read Also: Ronaldo fantastic, Messi better — Etebo

    Sami Khedira and Emre Can were sidelined with injuries, but their absence does not concern the coach.

    “We will need to play with who we have on ground.

    “Blaise Matuidi returned today because he needed a few days of rest.

    ‘’We have Miralem Pjanic and Rodrigo Bentancur available; we will find a solution with who we have. We are not in an emergency,” he said.

    Allegri confirmed that Mattia Perin would start in goal alongside Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic in attack.

    Paulo Dybala was likely to be rested, having only returned from international duty on Thursday.

    Allegri was encouraged by the forward’s development after he scored his first goal for Argentina against Mexico on Tuesday.

    “It’s a step forward for him, he is constantly growing, this year he has started very well and he is in a great physical and mental state.

    “His development must not stop; it depends on how much he wants it,” said Allegri.

    Juventus hold a six-point advantage over second-placed Napoli at the top of Serie A.

    The club from Turin remains unbeaten this season with 11 wins and a draw from 12 games, while SPAL are in 15th with 13 points.

  • Messi eats at his own table- Alba

    Lionel Messi’s mesmeric display in Barcelona’s 4-2 Champions League win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, proved yet again, that he is a class above the world’s other top players, team mate Jordi Alba, has said.

    Messi ran amok at Wembley Stadium, slicing Spurs apart with incisive passes from deep, such as the one that allowed Philippe Coutinho to open the scoring.

    He was as dangerous as ever in front of goal, firing in the Catalan side’s final two goals to end their winless run of three games.

    “Messi eats at his own table; he plays on another level to the rest.

    “When Leo goes on a run, all the rest of us can do is grit our teeth. He is the best in the world and he makes all of us a little bit better,” Barca defender Alba told reporters.

    Messi was a surprise absentee from the three nominees at FIFA’s The Best awards ceremony last week in London, where Real Madrid’s Luka Modric was crowned Player of the Year ahead of Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo.

    “For me `The Best’ is a lie,” said Alba.

    Rakitic, the scorer of Barca’s second goal, said Messi was one of a kind.

    Read Also: 2018 FIFA Best Award: Modric wins to end Ronaldo, Messi dominance

    “With respect to the other players, Messi is unique. Sometimes a player has a great season like Modric did, but we all know Messi is different,” he added.

    Wembley is a happy hunting ground for Barcelona, who won their first European Cup there in 1992.

    They also beat Manchester United 3-1 at the venue in the Champions League final in 2011.

    “If we played like this every day then we’d win every competition every year.

    “If we do things in the right way and work as a team, it’s very difficult to beat us. If we all fight for the same objective the results will come,” said Alba

    The victory keeps Barca joint top of Champions’ League Group B with Inter Milan, who they play next, and saw them snap a run of four Champions League away games without a win.

    “There are some games you look forward to a lot and this was one of those and we’re very happy with how the players responded,” added Coach Ernesto Valverde, who had faced heavy criticism in the media in the build up to the game.

    “I hope the fans are too,” he said.

  • Croatia court rejects false testimony charge against Modric

    A Croatian court has rejected a charge against Croatia international and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric of giving false testimony in a criminal trial, the court said on Wednesday.

    An email to Reuters by the Zagreb municipal criminal court said it rejected the charge, made by the Croatia state attorney in March, but gave no explanation for its ruling.

    The state attorney’s office can appeal against the decision.

    Modric testified last year at the trial of a tax official and three former senior officials from the soccer club Dinamo Zagreb, including its former chief executive Zdravko Mamic, about the dates of signing the annexes to his professional contracts which regulated transfer fees.

    The state attorney’s office said in June 2017 it was investigating allegations that Modric, awarded Best FIFA men’s player of the year 2018 last month, had given false testimony at the trial.

    Read Also: FIFA BEST AWARD: Modric battles Ronaldo Salah again!

    In June, Mamic was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison, shortly after he left for Bosnia where he lives now.

    Other two Dinamo officials and the tax official were also sentenced to jail. All of them denied any wrongdoing and have said they would challenge the verdict.

    Local media reported that the reason the court had rejected the false testimony charge was that it had been “premature”, in that it could not be raised before there was the final court decision in the tax avoidance trial.

    Modric’s lawyer Laura Valkovic told Reporter the defence had argued that the charge was premature.

    The final court decision in the case is still pending while an appeal process continues.

    Last month Croatia’s state attorney also charged another Croatia international, Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren, with the same offence as Modric.

  • 2018: Modric ends Ronaldo, Messi’s FIFA Award dominance

     

    Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has emerged the winner of the 2018 FIFA Men’s Best Player.

    The 33 year old midfielder was announced on Monday at the 2018  FIFA Best Football awards held in London.

    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, in London.

    Modric defeated the duo of Mohammad Salah of Liverpool and Juventus star , Cristiano Ronaldo to emerge the winner.

    For winning the award, the elated champion said he will continue to give his best in the round leather game, while acknowledging his national teammates and Ream Madrid players for their contributions to his football career growth.

    His emergence follows his exploits with Croatia who reached the final of this year’s FIFA World Cup in
    Russia, despite losing to France and with Real Madrid who retained the UEFA Champions League.

    “It is a great honour and a beautiful feeling to stand here with this amazing trophy. First of all I would like to congratulate Mohamed and Cristiano,” said Modric.

    “I am sure in the future you will have another opportunity to fight for this trophy.

    “This award is not just mine. It is my teammates from Real Madrid and Croatia. Without my coaches I would not have won this. Without my family I would not be the player I am today.

    “Thanks to my fans for all the great support and love they are showing me. It means a lot. Thanks to those who voted for me.

    “I would just like to mention my footballing idol and former 1998 Croatia captain. He was my big inspiration and that team gave us belief we could create something in Russia.

    “This award shows that we can all become the best with hard work and dedication. All your dreams can come true.”

    This year’s edition brings an end to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s 10-year domination of the
    most prestigious award. Both Ronaldo and Messi failed to show up at the awards.

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

    FIFA BEST AWARDS: ALL THE WINNERS

    Puskas Award: Mohamed Salah

    Men’s Coach of the Year: Didier Deschamps

    Women’s Coach of the Year: Reynald Pedros

    Goalkeeper of the Year: Thibaut Courtois

    Women’s Player of the Year: Marta

    Men’s Player of the Year: Luka Modric

  • FIFA BEST AWARD: Modric battles Ronaldo Salah again!

    Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is in running for FIFA Best Award  just few weeks after claiming the UEFA Best player award beating former teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool forward  Mo Salah in the bargain.

    Interestingly Modric will again face competition from the duo of Ronaldo and Salah just like he did in the UEFA award.

    Argentina and Barcelona forward was missing in the list released by FIFA on Monday just like he failed to get a mention during the UEFA award.

    The Barcelona talisman scored 44 goals last season and led his side to La Liga and Copa del Rey Glory.

    He was eliminated with Argentina in the last 16 of the World Cup by eventual champions France and is not being considered as the best player on the planet for the first time in 11 years.

    He was runner-up in the prize in 2007 and 2008 before winning the title for the first of five years in 2009.

    Ronaldo, who won the award last year, is used to facing stiff competition from the diminutive striker but still has a battle on his hands to retain ‘The Best’ trophy.

    Salah has been a revelation for Liverpool, scoring 43 goals in all competitions last season for the Reds and helping to fire Jurgen Kloop’s side to the Champions League final, where he was forced off after suffering a shoulder injury. He picked up the Premier League Player of the Season prize and is a major contender.

    Real Madrid went on to defend their title in the European showpiece, and despite the fact that he didn’t score, Ronaldo lifted the trophy for a fifth time in his career.

    The Portuguese has since moved to Juventus for £100m but will be competing with ex-team-mate Modric in the Best Male Player category.

    The Croatian starred for his side on their unlikely run to the World Cup final this summer and was at the heart of Zinedine Zidane’s Real side.

    Zidane himself is up for an award and has been nominated alongside France boss Didier Deschamps and Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic in the Best Men’s Coach final three.

    The winners will be crowned on September 24 in London after votes are collected from players, coaches, journalists and supporters.

    FULL LIST OF FIFA ‘THE BEST’ AWARDS FINALISTS:

    Men’s Player Award – Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Mo Salah

    Women’s Player Award – Ada Hegeberg, Dzsenifer Maroszan, Marta

    FIFA Fan Award – Sebastian Carrera, Japan and Senegal supporters, Peru Supporters

    Women’s Coach Award – Reynald Pedros, Asako Takakura, Sarina Wiegman

    Men’s Coach Award – Zlatko Dalic, Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps

    Puskas Award – Gareth Bale, Denis Cheryshev, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Riley McGree, Lionel Messi, Benjamin Pavard, Ricardo Quaresma, Mo Salah

    Goalkeeper Award –  Thibaut Courtois, Hugo Lloris, Kasper Schmeichel

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Croatia’s Dalic blasts Ronaldo over Modric award

    Five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo, will be left permanently on the bench if Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic were to be in charge of his club.

    A very angry Dalic bared his mind after Ronaldo failed to attend the UEFA award Thursday where former teammate Luka Modric emerged best player of the year.

    Dalic who led Croatia to second place finish in Russia described Ronaldo who recently moved to Juventus from Real Madrid as a an “egoist”

    “Ronaldo not attending UEFA ceremony and those comments about Luka winning it… it is not worthy of my comment,” he told Sportske Novosti before providing exactly that.

    “It only proves what I keep saying: Ronaldo is egoist and I’d never want him in my team.

    “He is kind of player that only thinks, ‘No matter if we lose, the only thing that matters is that I score a goal!’”

    Dalic’s words are interestingly timed given Croatia travel to Portugal for a friendly next week but the 51-year-old seemingly has little appetite for a grudge match.

    “Our main goal is Euro 2020, so Portugal and UEFA Nation’s League is not that important and even to lose against Portugal and Spain is no big deal,” he said.

    “I am not saying we will not try to win, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on our team when Euro 2020 is the next big thing that counts.

    “The team is worn out and needs fresh energy, strength and motivation.”

    Croatia will begin their post-World Cup campaign without Mario Mandzukic, Vedran Corluka and Danijel Subasic – all of whom retired from international football after the tournament.

  • Modric in court for alleged £768,000 tax fraud

    Modric in court for alleged £768,000 tax fraud

     

    Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric appeared in court as part of a tax fraud case in the Spanish capital on Tuesday.

    Officials said the Croatia midfielder was in court for about 10 minutes along with his wife and lawyer. The player’s wife, Vadja, is also being accused of tax irregularities.

    Spanish prosecutors have accused Modric of defrauding tax authorities of £768,325 (€870,728) in 2013 and 2014.

    Local newspaper El Mundo says Modric has already paid nearly £900,000 (€1million) to tax authorities to try to reach a settlement even though the player has denied any wrongdoing.

    Court and tax officials say they cannot confirm or deny the payment. Details of Modric’s court appearance have not been released.

    Modric has been playing for Madrid since being signed from Tottenham in 2012.

    Several other players have been targeted by Spanish tax authorities recently, including Lionel Messi, who two years ago was found guilty – along with his father – for defrauding £3.6m (€4.1m) from income made from image rights.

    Other players investigated include Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, Ricardo Carvalho, Angel di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Radamel Falcao and Fabio Coentrao.

    Former Real Madrid boss and current Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, is also being investigated.

    The 32 year old former Totenham ace is among players likely to be considered by national coach Zlatko Dalić for the party to the World cup in Russia.  Croatia have been grouped with Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland. Modric who played for all the junior teams of the country made his senior national team debut in 2006 against Argentina in Bassel with Croatia winning 3-2. He has since made over 103 appearances for Croatia with 12 goals to his credit.