The Difference Between Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best Awards - Luka ModricNamed Best FIFA Footballer Of The Year

Luka Modric named the World's Best Male Footballer at the third edition of Best FIFA Football Awards in London.



The Croatian midfielder, 33, beat his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to the award and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

The Croatian led his country to their first World Cup final in July after Modric won his third consecutive Champions League titles in May

Orlando Pride and Brazilian forward, Marta, won the best female footballer award.

France's Didier Deschamps - whose team defeated Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final - was named best men's coach.

Salah’s magnificent strike against Everton in the Premier League at Anfield last year December won the Puskas award for the best goal.

The FIFA Fan Award was received by Peru's supporters after thousands of them travelled to Russia to cheer their nation - being their first time appearance since 1982. This category was voted for mainly by supporters.

What's the difference between the Best Fifa and Ballon d'Or Awards?

Best Fifa Football Awards, being the third edition, was organized when World Football Governing Council, FIFA, puts an end to its relationship with the Ballon d'Or award.

The Ballon d'Or award started since 1956 by France Football magazine, but from 2010 to 2015, was merged with Fifa's World Footballer of the Year award.

The governing body, FIFA, introduced the Best FIFA Football Awards in January 2017, with Cristiano Ronaldo winning the first of its main prize.

The national team captains and managers vote for the player and coach categories, some selected journalists and, for the first time, an online poll of fans. Each accounted for 25% of the total.

Best Fifa men's player - Luka Modric

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's dominance of the best FIFA Footballer Awards in world football was ended by Luka Modric, which had gone as far back as 2007, when Kaka won the Ballon d'Or.

For both club and country, Modric had 56 appearances, he won the Champions League and reached the final in Russia 2018 World Cup, defeated England in the semi-final - a season he admitted as his "best season ever" before the ceremony.

Chris Waddle, former England international, a pundit on BBC Radio 5 live, indentified Modric as the missing link in Gareth Southgate's side that played in that semi-final because he can influence games with his knowledge, understanding and distribution, single-handedly. Incidentally, Modric was voted for by Southgate

The Real Madrid midfielder received the Golden Ball award for the best player in 2018 World Cup finals in Russia after they were defeated by France in final.



Luka Modric provided an assist and scored in Croatia's opening two matches of the group stages.

Zlatko Dalic, Croatia manager, described Modric as "my assistant in the field" when he paid tribute to his captain after the result was announced.

"Luka is the captain of my team, he's the best player in the world and in my team and he really deserves this prestigious award,"

When he received the award, Modric said he was "honoured" and grateful to all the coaches he worked with enroute to this stage.

"This award is not mine, but my teammates from Croatia and Real Madrid, without my coaches, I would not win it and without my family, I would not be the player I am today.”

Best Fifa women's player - Marta

Orlando Pride and Brazilian forward, Marta, was awarded the best female player for the sixth time, the award she first received in 2006.

She was phenomenal in the Copa America Femenina for Brazil as they won all seven matches to claim the title in April, - however, she scored once out of their 31 goals.

Marta had six assists and scored 13 goals as Orlando Pride got to the NWSL play-off semi-finals in the United States and the performance fetched her a place in league's team of the year.

"This is so important, not only about Marta, but about women's football and my team-mates and"

"Most significantly, it feels so nice to see women's football grow every year. If I keep my form, it can help off the pitch as well, then I’m delighted."

Fifpro World XI

Five new players made it to this year’s FIFA XI as against the selected team in 2017.

The 19-year old Kylian Mbappe received a spot on the team after he was awarded the best young player in the World Cup this summer for his wonderful performances for France.

Chelsea and Belgium international, Eden Hazard and teammate N'Golo Kante, also made the list while David de Gea of ​​Manchester United was named as number one for the team after Raphael Varane took his place at the heart of the defense.

However, Thibaut Courtois, who was named the best goalkeeper in the world, or Salah, the best male player of the year, did not make the World XI.

Best men's coach - Didier Deschamps

Didier Deschamps of France won the best men's coach of the year 2018.

The ex Juventus, Marseille, and Chelsea midfielder was the captain of France national team when they won the World Cup in 1998, before leading the french side to victory again in Russia 2018 world cup in July.

Didier Deschamps won the trophy ahead of Zinedine Zidane, his former club and international team-mate, who won Real Madrid her third consecutive Champions League titles before he departed the club in the summer - and Zlatko Dalic, the Croatia coach, whose team was defeated by France in a mouth-watering final in Moscow.

"I would like to express my gratitude to Zinedine Zidane and Zlatko Dalic. They are winners," said Deschamps.

"We can achieve anything without our players. I would love to appreciate the entire squad. They got me here tonight."

Reynald Pedros won best women's coach

In his first season in charge, the ex France midfielder, Reynald Pedros delivered double silverware to Lyon after winning league and Women's Champions League.

Mohamed Salah won Puskas award for best goal

The Fifa Puskas award, is always received by the player who scored the best goal of 10 nominations. It was named after the iconic former Hungary forward Ferenc Puskas.

Mohamed Salah's magnificent strike in his first ever Merseyside derby was the winner of the award, the goal was later cancelled out by Wayne Rooney from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw.

Other nominees are Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale for their stunning Champions League goals - Ronaldo's acrobatic kick against Juventus and Bale's overhead kick finish in the final against Liverpool.

"This will not be the last nomination because I always work be better than last performance,"

"My preferred goal was against Everton because it was my first derby, but I like all of them."

"Representing Egypt in the World Cup was one of the most cherished moments in my career and this is a dream come true as Egyptians, and human beings, to future at the world cup."

Best goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois

Real Madrid and former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was awarded the best goalkeeper.

The 26-year-old featured in Belgium's seven matches at the World Cup, as they came third - their highest finish in the history of the world cup .

Courtois beat Denmark and Leicester City goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, and France's captain at the World Cup, Hugo Lloris.

"My appreciation goes to my team-mates and coaches - they give me the best advice,"

Fair play - Lennart Thy

Lennart Thy,VVV-Venlo striker, who missed the match against PSV Eindhoven to donate stem cells to help a leukaemia patient in March

Seven years back, the 26-year-old German joined the donor register and was a DNA match.