Luka Modric received a whopping 753 of the votes at the 2018 Ballon d’Or awards on Monday night at the Grand Palais in Paris, as the Croatian superstar ran away with the accolade, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (476), and Antoine Griezmann (414), but how did each country vote?
A ‘reputable’ journalist represented each of the 195 countries, and they were asked to select their top-5 players from 2018, with their top-ranked footballer receiving six points, 2nd four points, 3rd three points, then two and one points for their final picks.
A Tweet from @Sport_Witness shows that England’s representative was The Times journalist Henry Winter who opted for Modric, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Griezmann, and Raphael Varane. Pretty standard. Although there was no room for World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane.
Spain’s Alfredo Relano had Griezmann top of the pile, followed by Mbappe, Modric, Ronaldo, and Kante, while Italy’s Paolo Condo also went for Griezmann, ahead of Modric, Ronaldo, Mbappe, and Salah.
However, it’s fair to say there were a few clangers on show.
Kyrgyzstan journo, Bishkek Taras Hlypenko, bizarrely selected former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as his No.1 pick, making up half of the Belgian's overall points. Albert Stanislas Koumbobacko (Central African Republic) chose Frenchman Karim Benzema who didn't even feature at the World Cup - then Juventus' Mario Mandzukic in 5th, missing out Modric altogether! Very strange.
Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Merv-Ann Thompson went for Neymar, Sergio Ramos in second spot, followed by Luis Suarez, keeper Alisson, and Aguero - no sign of Modric whatsoever.
Tottenham fans will be pleased to hear that Raymond Nase from Vanuatu voted for Harry Kane above everyone else! The 25-year-old, who came 10th overall, received 25 votes in total, with Kenya picking the England captain 2nd, Uzbekistan and Togo 3rd, Mongolia and Bosnia Herzegovina 4th, then Croatia, Kingdom of Lesotho, Mauritania, Malta, and Sri Lanka backed him in 5th.
From France Football. #ballondor