World Cup: Modric, Mbappe, Kane, Griezmann Scoop FIFA-Adidas Awards

Related stories

2027: Dele Momodu dumps PDP for Coalition party, ADC

By Yanju Uwala Veteran journalist and former presidential aspirant, Dele...

Buhari’s Honour: Tinubu holds special FEC session as Nigerians Mourn late Hero, Statesman.Ā 

By Yanju Uwala President Bola Tinubu, will on Thursday, today...

“Nigeria’s challenges not about the constitution, but its operators”, says Obasanjo

By Yanju Uwala A former Nigerian President and military Head...

The French team were not the only winners of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as the curtains were drawn on Sunday in Moscow. Other winners included Luka Modric, the magical midfielder for runners up, Croatia.

He won the FIFA Adidas Golden Ball award forĀ  guiding his team, setting the tempo, and exploiting gaps in opposition defences. He proved equally effective in the final, dictating the pace as Croatia made a fast start to the match.

The Adidas Golden Glove award went toĀ Thibaut Courtois, the goal keeper of third placed Belgium. FIFA said Belgium owed their historic third place as muchĀ  to the imperious Courtois as their incisive front line and tenacious defence. The imposing keeper made the most of his large frame and outstanding reflexes to come to his side’s rescue time and again. Beaten only once by eventual champions France in the semi-finals, he turned in another commanding performance in the play-off for third place.

The 19 year-oldĀ  French star, Kylian Mbappe, now being compared to the legendary Pele won the FIFA Young Player Award.Ā The teenage prodigy did not disappoint in his first world finals. The 19-year-old drew gasps of admiration from the watching world with his bursts of acceleration and searing pace. In putting two goals past Argentina he became the youngest scorer of a brace in a World Cup knockout match since Pele in 1958, while his strike in the final sealed victory forĀ Les Bleus.

Belgium’s Eden Hazard wonĀ  theĀ adidas Silver Ball Award.Ā Belgium boasted the most prolific attack of the tournament, scoring 16 goals thanks in no small part to the peerless Eden Hazard, who wreaked havoc in opposition defences with his bursts of speed and his silky running on the ball. With his two assists and three goals, one of them coming in the match for third place against England, he was the main architect of Belgium’s historic third place.

French hard workingĀ  playmaker Antoine Griezmann won the Adidas Bronze Ball and the adidas Silver Boot.The Atletico Madrid front man played a leading role in his side’s tournament triumph, scoring four goals and setting up another two, the best performance by a France player since Just Fontaine scored 13 goals at Sweden 1958. ā€œMy role has changed. If I score that’s great, but it’s not the most important thing,ā€ said the left-footed striker before the Final, where his dead-ball skills helpedĀ Les BleusĀ win the day.

England captain Harry Kane, with a record six goals won theĀ Ā adidas Golden Boot Award:Ā Harry Kane provided proof, if it were needed, that he is one of the best finishers in the business, helping to fire England to their best finish, as semi-finalists, since Italy 1990. The Tottenham striker made a fast start to the tournament with a double against Tunisia and a hat-trick against Panama before converting from the spot against Colombia in the Round of 16.

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium, with four goals won the adidas Bronze Ball.Ā With his brace in Belgium’s opener against Panama and another goal against Tunisia, Romelu Lukaku enjoyed the perfect start to the competition, though the goals dried up for him in the knockout phase.

Spain, who were despatched by hosts Russia in the Round of 16, won theĀ FIFA Fair Play Trophy.Ā While Spain had a disappointing World Cup, exiting the tournament in the last 16 against hosts Russia, they can take some satisfaction from their exemplary behaviour on the pitch, where they picked up just two yellow cards in their four matches and committed a mere 34 fouls.

'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide's journalism works intersect business, environment, politics and developmental issues. Among a number of local and international publications, his work has appeared in the New York Times. He's a winner of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Award. Currently, the Online Editor at The New Diplomat, Akintomide has produced reports that uniquely spoke to Nigeria's experience on Climate Change issues. When Akintomide is not writing, volunteering or working on a media project, you can find him seeing beautiful sites like the sandy beaches that bedecked the Lagos coastline.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
2027: Dele Momodu dumps PDP for Coalition party, ADCBuhari's Honour: Tinubu holds special FEC session as Nigerians Mourn late Hero, Statesman.Ā First Bank Crisis: In High-Stake Intrigues, Otedola Seizes Control with 40% Stake as Oba Otudeko Exits in N324.47bn DealElderstatesman, Emeka Anyaoku, Speaks Again , Urges Nigeria to Adopt a "People’s Democratic Constitution""Nigeria's challenges not about the constitution, but its operators", says ObasanjoNigeria Surpasses OPEC’s 1.5 Million Barrel Oil Quota in June 2025Natasha vs Akpabio: Senate President Heads to Court, Challenges Court Order to Reinstate SenatorOluwo Commends Awujale's Burial, Says Late Monarchs Shouldn't Be "Butchered Like Animals"Alleged N6.9Billion Fraud: Drama as Ex-Governor Fayose Wins in CourtOgun PDP Knocks Dapo Abiodun, Backs Striking Workers: "Strike Action is lawful, a response to Abuse"[Full Letter] Atiku Abubakar Quits PDP, Signals Major Political Shift Ahead of 2027 ElectionsNational Grid Crisis: Six Universities, MTN, NDA, 16 Others Exit Grid, Resort to Own Power GenerationOgun PDP Knocks Dapo Abiodun, Backs Striking Workers: "Strike Action is lawful, a response to Abuse"Alleged N6.9Billion Fraud: Drama as Ex-Governor Fayose Wins in CourtOluwo Commends Awujale's Burial, Says Late Monarchs Shouldn't Be "Butchered Like Animals"
X whatsapp