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Opinion
Alfredo RelañoModric dignified the FIFA Gala

Modric dignified the FIFA Gala

Update:

'The Best' award was for Modric, and he put an end to the proceedings, a shining atonement for a FIFA gala that until that moment was looking tiresome and somewhat clumsy, like a forced party at senior school. Orphaned on stage, without the presence of the two 'indispensables' of our time, Messi and Cristiano, who were both chosen for the ideal eleven, the latter also one of the final trio for the main award. The ceremony can't have been a big deal for them, and from what I gather, FIFA have no authority to demand they attend. Neither did Pele, who is unwell, nor Maradona, who knows why... Everything had an air of either mediocrity or impersonation about it until the final act, when Modric came to the rescue.

Luka Modric, Didier Deschamps and Marta pose for a photo with their awards during The Best FIFA Football Awards 2018.
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Luka Modric, Didier Deschamps and Marta pose for a photo with their awards during The Best FIFA Football Awards 2018.Alexander Hassenstein - FIFAFIFA via Getty Images

Modric the class act

A good guy, a good player. He came across on stage in the same way he does on the pitch: with ease and simplicity, as were his chosen words. He praised Cristiano (absent) and Salah, the other finalists. As he reminisced about the Croatian national team in 1998, which came third in the World Cup in France, it shook Boban to tears in the audience. He had, of course, words for his teammates at Madrid and for the national side, and he did not forget the little detail of dedicating a few words to us in Spanish. The football of Modric is serious, tenacious, professional, inspiring and supportive. Football for the team, not for oneself. From time to time, awards are given to players like this.

(L-R) Presenter Ronaldinho, Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Eden Hazard, host Idris Elba, Kylian Mbappe N'Golo Kante, Marcelo, Raphael Varane, David De Gea and presenter Michael Ballack.
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(L-R) Presenter Ronaldinho, Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Eden Hazard, host Idris Elba, Kylian Mbappe N'Golo Kante, Marcelo, Raphael Varane, David De Gea and presenter Michael Ballack.BEN STANSALLAFP

Cristiano and Messi conspicuous by their absence

It was a happy ending to a gala that also proclaimed, once again, the untouchable Marta as the best women's player, gave Salah the trophy for the best goal (the Puskás award), and scattered several other prizes around the game, including Courtois as the best goalkeeper. This was a significant contrast to the presence of De Gea as the selected stopper of the ideal XI, although there was little discussion in the other positions. Missing from the team photo, of course, were the irreplaceable Cristiano and Messi. The big stars are bigger the less their ego enslaves them. This time they shone by their absence...and put a spotlight on the power FIFA have to summon them.