Modric won last year because Cristiano demanded out. Let's be serious. If Cristiano stayed in Madrid, he would have won the popularity contest trophy.
I'd love for us to win some trophies and Benzy to win one man. It would be a big F U to everyone who has doubted him for over a decade
Modric won because he was instrumental in CL glory and took a country smaller than the city of Madrid to a world cup final. The entire world respected his effort. Only Ronaldo was bitter about him winning which says a lot.
Jorge Mendes was at this Serie A awards farce and he said "He's not at the Balon d'Or, but everybody knows it, Ronaldo is the best in the world". Amazing.
Man I completely agree it was well deserved. Modric for years had been the best midfielder in the world by miles. The most crucial in my eyes for winning 4 out of 5 something never done before. And then lead poor little Croatia to the final of the World Cup. But just like Iniest and/or Xavi deserved one and they didn't get it, he wouldn't win it if Cristiano didn't leave Madrid.
He played in far better teams as well. LeBron is the most clutch player ever. He carries a team on his own. The comparison with him and CR isn't far sought. Messi and LeBron though.
Cristiano lost by hundreds of points. If our influence would be this big, a Real Madrid player would win it every season.
Durant has been the better player for the past 3 years. Better defensively, better offensively. Last season Lebron was defensively weak enough to have to be bullied into defending by effing Kyle Kuzma. Please don't argue hoops with me. He's playing a great season so far, but basketball is hilariously easy to compare players 1:1. Durant has been the better player. This isn't football where the team matters. There are absolutely mind-blowing players on pathetic teams.
If Cristiano didn't ask to move to juventus, he would have won it again. It's no different than messi winning over Iniesta. You can tell yourself whatever fairytale you like, but the reality was once he moved to that lesser league it opened the door for them to find another "worthy" player.
I agree, I really don’t care about VVD, a tad overrated IMO, my post was about other players on the park other than goalscorers in general not about this specific year’s nominees
Nice stab at both for being no shows last season. Sports and football are not just about winning, they’re also about respect for your teammates and rivals. 🤝 #BallonDOr pic.twitter.com/0AvmMdrya1— Luka Modrić (@lukamodric10) December 2, 2019
Liverpool had the financial resources to keep the core of their players and add world record signings to it. They added VVD, Allison Fabinho who have all imroved the team Atletico had to sell year after year. to keep up
Also Coutinho wasn't that important by the time he left as they had Salah, Mane and Firmino. Wasn't like losing Suarez or Xabi, Torres, Mascherano which dagged them back for years. In fact, Coutinho sale funded VVD and Allison signings.
Not really. They signed multiple lucrative deals during that time, inflating their income, but I just think the main difference is they are not an attractive location for players. They can spend big wages and money for transfers but a player would rather sign for Liverpool than Atleti.
Ronaldo’s decision to go to Juve was a huge risk. What exactly did he add to them? They reached 2 CL finals without him and won Serie A 6 times before his arrival. So technically, he added Zero value!!! The only way for him to show that he added any sort of value would have been winning the CL. They could still win it this year or the one after(higgggggghly doubtful), but without that he would be a failure (highly probable). We sold at the perfect time (but should’ve replaced him adequately).
Imagine if at that same summer we sold Modric and Bale too capitalizing on their overvalue at the time. I know it couldn't be possible but it would have been a ballsy move.
Don’t think it was high risk. More calculated than anything. He wasn’t going to do anything new at Madrid . The reward of winning a CL with Juve far outweighs another one with Madrid ... for his personal glory. Juve looked like a team that perhaps just needed an extra push to get it over the line. We know he does care about finishing above Messi in Balon d'Or ... perhaps he miscalculated thinking he'd win the award last season and that Messi wouldn't win another one. That's if he analyzes things to this level.