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Reviewing the most controversial ballon d’or year of recent times. A thread from a fan of football.
The 2018 ballon d’or was the most controversial ballon d’or award in a number of years with many fans feeling that their favorite player was “robbed”. I’m going to do a review on each main candidate to assess who should’ve won in my opinion and why.
Luka Modric
Modric had a great year, one of the best years a midfielder has ever had. A key part of a Madrid side that secured their third champions league in a row. He then went on to lead Croatia to their first World Cup final winning the World Cup Golden ball in the process.
Modric had a great year, one of the best years a midfielder has ever had. A key part of a Madrid side that secured their third champions league in a row. He then went on to lead Croatia to their first World Cup final winning the World Cup Golden ball in the process.
Individually
54 Games 3 Goals 11 Assists
Pass completion 86.68%
Chances created/game 1.19
Dribbles/game 1.24
Tackles/game 0.83
Interceptions/game 0.87
Uefa Team of the year
Golden ball World Cup
World Cup runner up
Champions league
Club World Cup
54 Games 3 Goals 11 Assists
Pass completion 86.68%
Chances created/game 1.19
Dribbles/game 1.24
Tackles/game 0.83
Interceptions/game 0.87
Uefa Team of the year
Golden ball World Cup
World Cup runner up
Champions league
Club World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo
He was inevitably up there as a prime candidate for the award. He scored 6 goals and assisted another 2 in 8 knockout games in the champions league. He had some superb individual performances notably the 2 goals against Juventus and the Hattrick against Spain.
He was inevitably up there as a prime candidate for the award. He scored 6 goals and assisted another 2 in 8 knockout games in the champions league. He had some superb individual performances notably the 2 goals against Juventus and the Hattrick against Spain.
Individually
50 Games 47 Goals 12 Assists
Goals-xG= +10.3
Dribbles/game 1.38
Chances created/game 1.16
Shots/game 6.08
Shooting success 15.46%
Uefa Team of the year
Champions league
Supercoppa Italiana
50 Games 47 Goals 12 Assists
Goals-xG= +10.3
Dribbles/game 1.38
Chances created/game 1.16
Shots/game 6.08
Shooting success 15.46%
Uefa Team of the year
Champions league
Supercoppa Italiana
Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann had a phenomenal year for France and Atletico Madrid. He was a major part of the French attack that won them their second World Cup. He was a big creative force for France and his club and helped both win major trophies that year.
Griezmann had a phenomenal year for France and Atletico Madrid. He was a major part of the French attack that won them their second World Cup. He was a big creative force for France and his club and helped both win major trophies that year.
Individually
55 Games 39 Goals 18 Assists
Goals-xG= +19.4
Dribbles/game 0.91
Chances created/game 1.38
Shots/game 2.82
Shooting success 25.16%
Europa league tots
World Cup bronze ball and silver boot
Top assister at the World Cup
Uefa Europa league
Uefa Super Cup
World cup
55 Games 39 Goals 18 Assists
Goals-xG= +19.4
Dribbles/game 0.91
Chances created/game 1.38
Shots/game 2.82
Shooting success 25.16%
Europa league tots
World Cup bronze ball and silver boot
Top assister at the World Cup
Uefa Europa league
Uefa Super Cup
World cup
Lionel Messi
A great year for Messi as well. Generally carrying the Barcelona and Argentina team. He drove Barcelona to another La liga title but they were knocked out by Roma in the quarter finals. Argentina also exited early from the World Cup but individually a great year.
A great year for Messi as well. Generally carrying the Barcelona and Argentina team. He drove Barcelona to another La liga title but they were knocked out by Roma in the quarter finals. Argentina also exited early from the World Cup but individually a great year.
Individually
53 Games 48 Goals 25 Assists
Goals-xG= +18.2
Dribbles/game 4.47
Chances created/game 2.51
Shots/game 4.79
Shooting success 19.9%
Golden shoe
Pichichi Trophy
Uefa team of the year
La liga
Copa del Rey
Supercopa de Espana
53 Games 48 Goals 25 Assists
Goals-xG= +18.2
Dribbles/game 4.47
Chances created/game 2.51
Shots/game 4.79
Shooting success 19.9%
Golden shoe
Pichichi Trophy
Uefa team of the year
La liga
Copa del Rey
Supercopa de Espana
Mohammed Salah
A new signing that season, he came in and showed what an amazing player he is. He won the golden boot and broke the record for the most goals in a 38 game premier league season ever. He also helped Egypt to their first World Cup appearance since 1990.
A new signing that season, he came in and showed what an amazing player he is. He won the golden boot and broke the record for the most goals in a 38 game premier league season ever. He also helped Egypt to their first World Cup appearance since 1990.
Individually
55 Games 43 Goals 17 Assist
Goals-xG= +7.1
Dribbles/game 1.88
Chances created/game 1.91
Shots/game 4.09
Shooting success 18.75%
African footballer of the year
PFA players player of the year
FWA player of the year
Golden boot
Champions league runner up
55 Games 43 Goals 17 Assist
Goals-xG= +7.1
Dribbles/game 1.88
Chances created/game 1.91
Shots/game 4.09
Shooting success 18.75%
African footballer of the year
PFA players player of the year
FWA player of the year
Golden boot
Champions league runner up
My opinion on how it should’ve finished
If it’s individually alone and no team achievements
1. Lionel Messi
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
3. Mohammed Salah
4. Antoine Griezmann
5. Luka Modric
If it’s individually alone and no team achievements
1. Lionel Messi
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
3. Mohammed Salah
4. Antoine Griezmann
5. Luka Modric
If it’s combined which is usually the way it’s done
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Antoine Griezmann
3. Lionel Messi
4. Luka Modric
5. Mohammed Salah
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Antoine Griezmann
3. Lionel Messi
4. Luka Modric
5. Mohammed Salah
