RACE TO THE BALLON D’OR

The Recap 

Luka Modrić, the Croatian blond demon, clinched the coveted Ballon d'Or in a historic victory, breaking Messi and Ronaldo's 10 year run. The 2018 accolade was a testament to Modrić's talent on the football field. His performances in the UEFA Champions League triumph with Real Madrid and Croatia's thrilling World Cup campaign showcased his exceptional skills, leadership, and impact.

In the 2017-2018 season, Modrić orchestrated Real Madrid's third consecutive Champions League title, contributing with 2 goals and 2 assists in the tournament. Moreover, his ability to control the midfield, distribute the ball with precision, and his tireless defensive efforts were instrumental in elevating the team's success. On the international stage, Modrić's leadership guided Croatia to the World Cup final, a triumph that captured the world's attention. His performances included 2 goals and 1 assist, underlining his versatility and influence across various aspects of the game.

Modrić's individual statistics are equally impressive, reflecting his well-rounded skillset. In the 2017-2018 season, he created 53 goal-scoring opportunities and completed an impressive 89.2% of his passes in La Liga. His dribbling ability was also evident, with a success rate of 61.9%. In terms of defensive contributions, Modrić made 85 ball recoveries, showcasing his work ethic off the ball.

The Ballon d'Or Battle:

Moreover, Erling Haaland, the Norwegian Machine, has rapidly risen through the ranks of the football world as one of the most prolific young strikers. Haaland is renowned for his remarkable goal-scoring record. He possesses an innate ability to find the back of the net consistently. With a whopping 56 goals and 9 assists. Haaland broke countless records over the course of the season, moments where you couldn't believe a man everyone feared. Bring home the treble (the Champions League trophy alongside the Premier League and FA Cup). Man City also added the 2023 UEFA Super Cup to the list of titles. Shouldn’t it be clear? Haaland to win the Ballon d'Or! Well, his track record in semi-finals and finals isn't great for a man whose ability to find the back of the net is rather easy.

0 G/A vs Liverpool Community Shield.

0 G/A vs Sheffield United FA Cup.

0 G/A vs Real Madrid Champions League semi-finals.

0 G/A vs Manchester United FA Cup Final.

0 G/A vs Inter Milan Champions League final.

0 G/A vs Arsenal Community Shield final.

0 G/A vs Sevilla Super Cup final (penalty scored during shootouts)

Furthermore, Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in the history of the sport. Throughout his illustrious career, Messi has earned numerous accolades, including multiple Ballon d'Or awards, which recognize him as the world's best player. This Season 2022-23 Messi has contributed 39 goals and 25 assists and led Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title and Trophee des Champions. The thing is Messi wasn't just done there. Knowing that this might be Messi's last World Cup, all eyes were locked on him. Will he bring Argentina to the promised land? Now remember: A single mistake or a moment of brilliance can sway the outcome, making the World Cup a complex and demanding tournament (which comes around every 4 years) that only a select few teams have managed to conquer. It was by far an easy tournament for Argentina, losing the first game in the tournament to Saudi Arabia 2-1 and a crucial (Must win to stay alive) 2-0 win over Mexico the following game. Argentina emerged triumphant in the World Cup, and Lionel Messi played an instrumental role in their victory. Messi finished the tournament with 7 goals (2 in the final) and 3 assists in his seven appearances. 

There you have it, folks. 

RC-Sports Talk 

Andrea D’Arduini