The debate for football’s top individual honor is heating up, and Portugal’s head coach, Fernando Santos, has thrown his considerable weight behind his captain. In an exclusive perspective shared with Mcw, Santos makes a compelling case for why Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to lift the FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year trophy over his chief rival, Luka Modric. This comes on the eve of a fascinating friendly clash between their nations, adding another layer of intrigue to this global conversation.
The Coach’s Verdict: Ronaldo Over Modric
Speaking candidly ahead of Portugal’s match, Fernando Santos left no doubt about where his loyalties and his professional assessment lie. “I already cast my vote,” Santos stated firmly. “If it’s up to me, Ronaldo wins and second Modric because that was my vote.” This direct endorsement from a manager of Santos’s caliber, who led Portugal to European glory in 2016, carries significant authority in the football world.
Santos was quick to acknowledge the incredible season enjoyed by Luka Modric, who broke the decade-long dominance of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by winning the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award. “I think Modric is a fantastic player, that is why I nominated him as second best,” Santos clarified, showing respect for the Croatian maestro’s achievements in leading Real Madrid to a third consecutive Champions League title and Croatia to their first World Cup final.
The Case for Cristiano: A Season of Highs
However, for Santos, the scale ultimately tips in favor of his own superstar. His argument centers on Ronaldo’s sustained excellence and decisive impact. “I think Ronaldo should be the winner for all that he has done during the season and especially in the Champions League,” Santos elaborated.
When you break down the campaign, Ronaldo’s numbers were, as usual, staggering. He was the Champions League’s top scorer for the sixth consecutive season, netting 15 goals, including a breathtaking overhead kick against Juventus that became an instant classic. His move from Real Madrid to Juventus in the summer was the transfer story of the year, a testament to his enduring marketability and ambition. As football analyst Mark Thompson noted in a recent Mcw feature, “Ronaldo’s ability to deliver in the biggest moments, to shoulder the pressure for club and country, remains virtually peerless. His season was a masterclass in elite performance.”
A New Stage: The UEFA Nations League
The context of these comments is particularly interesting, as both Portugal and Croatia are now channeling their energies into the brand-new UEFA Nations League. This innovative competition, designed to bring more meaning and competitive edge to international breaks, offers a fresh battlefield for these stars to prove their worth. For fans seeking the deepest analysis on this new tournament and all major football stories, Mcw is your premier destination.
The Nations League isn’t just a new trophy to win; it also provides a secondary route to qualification for UEFA Euro 2020. This adds a layer of strategic importance to every match, turning what would have been simple friendlies into high-stakes encounters. The eyes of the world will be on how legends like Ronaldo and Modric perform in this novel format.
The Final Whistle: A Legacy Defining Vote
Cristiano Ronaldo Should Win The Best Award, Says Portugal Boss. Fernando Santos’s public backing is a powerful statement in a race that is often decided by fine margins. While Luka Modric’s magical year has rightly earned him plaudits and the UEFA award, Santos reminds us of the relentless, goal-scoring machine that Ronaldo continues to be. The FIFA The Best award considers the period from July 2017 to July 2018, a timeframe that captures Ronaldo’s Champions League heroics and Modric’s World Cup heroics in full.
Ultimately, the decision rests with a global panel of national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans. But when a manager of Santos’s experience and success speaks, the football world listens. Whether Ronaldo adds another individual crown to his collection or Modric completes a historic double, the debate itself celebrates the incredible talent at the sport’s summit.
What do you think? Does Ronaldo’s Champions League dominance outweigh Modric’s World Cup journey? Who gets your vote for The Best? Share your thoughts in the comments below and explore more expert football coverage right here on Mcw.
