World Cup 2018 Final: Griezmann and Modric compete for the Golden Ball
The 2018 World Cup final, in addition to the Golden Cup title, promises to also be a battle for the Golden Ball between Antoine Griezmann and Luka Modric.
The 2018 World Cup has gone through 62 matches. The big stars have all disappointed, and left Russia early to travel to avoid the summer heat, such as Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar…
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| Griezmann and Modric are both aiming for the Golden Cup and the Golden Ball. |
So far, there are no outstanding individuals to win the 2018 Golden Ball. The 2018 World Cup final may decide the most prestigious individual award.
Griezmann and his determination to make amends
Antoine Griezmann still hasn't forgotten this moment two years ago, in the EURO 2016 final that France hosted.
In the semi-finals, France beat Germany - the strongest team in the world at that time - and Griezmann personally scored 6 goals. They were rated higher than Portugal.
But Les Bleus lost to Portugal in the final, with Eder scoring in extra time, a defeat that Griezmann, along with Paul Pogba, was a huge disappointment, as they failed to show their mettle.
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| Griezmann changes to make France stronger. |
“It was a really unforgettable moment. We cannot allow something like that to happen,” Griezmann said after France beat Belgium and reached the World Cup final after 12 years.
Griezmann is dreaming of the Gold Cup title. To succeed, this 27-year-old star has changed a lot of the way he plays, putting aside individual factors and contributing more to collective play.
After 6 matches, Griezmann has scored 3 goals, equal to the young player Mbappe. Instead, he organizes the game and creates opportunities. Grizi has had 2 passes to score, more than any of his teammates.
If France wins the World Cup after 12 years of waiting, it is likely that the Ballon d'Or will also belong to Griezmann. He has just had a very outstanding season with Atletico, being the hero of the Europa League final.
Modric, the master of the game
“The Ballon d'Or? Who else deserves it more than Modric!”, Ivan Rakitic answered in a short interview right on the pitch, after Croatia came from behind to eliminate England 2-1 in the semi-finals.
Modric played a great match against England, although he made a mistake that led to the goal in the 5th minute.
At 33, Modric has virtually no physical limitations. He played the full 120 minutes in the round of 16 and quarter-finals. In the semi-final, he only left the field in the 118th minute, when coach Dalic reinforced his defense to keep the score.
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| Modric is the master of Croatia's play. |
Modric is particularly good at passing. No player at the 2018 World Cup can compare to him in this regard.
Modric's passing is key to Croatia's tactics. He helps regulate the ball, control the tempo of the game, relieves pressure on the defense, and always has a very dangerous way to launch attacks.
This is likely to be Modric's last World Cup. That's why he is using all his leadership qualities to create miracles with Croatia.
Reaching the final is a new chapter in history. But Modric and Croatia want more, to win their first World Cup in history - and become the smallest team from the world's smallest nation to achieve this feat.
Victory for Croatia also means Modric will win the Ballon d'Or. He has just had a spectacular season with Real Madrid, winning the Champions League for the third consecutive time.
The last player to win the World Cup and the Ballon d'Or was Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, with Italy. Who among Griezmann and Modric will follow in Cannavaro's footsteps and end the decade-long dominance of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
