Portuguese player agent Jorge Mendes was critical of Luka Modric obtaining the UEFA Player of the Year award over his client, Cristiano Ronaldo, at the UEFA Champions League draw ceremony in Monaco Thursday, calling it “simply and purely ridiculous.”
“Football is played within four lines and Cristiano Ronaldo has won. He scored 15 goals, helping Real Madrid to once again win the Champions League,” Mendes told Portuguese outlet Record.
“(The decision) is ridiculous, Ronaldo is the best in his position.”
Ronaldo failed to win the award for the first time since 2015, having won three of the last four years.
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The Croatian midfielder was chosen for the award over Ronaldo and Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, as voted by 55 journalists and the 80 coaches who participated last season’s Champions League and Europa League.
In 2018, Modric won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid after defeating Liverpool in the final. He also led Croatia to an unprecedented final in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, losing to France, 4-2.