Modric threatens to end Ronaldo-Messi era as world's best

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messis decadelong domination of footballs individual awards is under threat from Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric and Liverpools Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah when FIFAs player of the year is announced on MondayFor the first time in 12 years Messi is not even nominated among the three finalists for the award after early exits for Argentina at the World Cup and Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Champions League Both Messi and Ronaldo have won FIFAs award in different guises five times each and the Portuguese can move out on his own after winning a third straight Champions League title with Real Madrid before heading for pastures new with Juventus in JulyFor a sixth straight season Ronaldo was the Champions Leagues top scorer with 15 goals and also scored four times at the World Cup including a hattrick against Spain in a thrilling 33 draw to open Portugals campaign However Portugals last 16 exit to Uruguay in Russia and Ronaldos failure to score in the semifinals or final of the Champions League has opened the door for ModricThe year of LukaCroatias captain was an inspirational figure as they surpassed all expectations to reach the World Cup final and also played a big role in Madrids Champions League and Club World Cup wins I hope that Luka will be the best player in the world Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic told AFP He deserves it because he was the best player in the Club World Cup and the best player in the World Cup Messi and Ronaldo are fantastic players but this year is the year of Luka Salah also makes the podium for the first time after an incredible 44goal debut season for Liverpool that carried the Reds to the Champions League finalHowever a shoulder injury suffered early on in the final robbed him of the chance to help Liverpool lift the trophy and also meant he wasnt in peak condition to lead Egypts World Cup bid Despite scoring in each of his two appearances in Russia The Pharaohs bowed out at the group stage with three defeats Frances World Cupwinning coach Didier Deschamps is favourite to win the best coach award ahead of Dalic and former Real coach Zinedine Zidane who stepped down in June after overseeing three Champions League triumphs in just two and a half years in charge Even if they lose out on the best player award Messi and Ronaldo could walk away with a prize as they are both nominated for the Puskas award for best goalMessis solitary World Cup goal against Nigeria and Ronaldos spectacular overhead kick against his future employers in the Champions League quarterfinals are two of 10 goals on the shortlist also including Gareth Bales acrobatic strike for Real in the Champions League final The best goalkeeper prize is to be contested by France captain Hugo Lloris Denmarks Kasper Schmeichel and Belgiums Thibaut Courtois whose World Cup heroics earned him a move to Madrid from Chelsea Lyons Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg and German midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan are joined by Brazilian fivetime winner Marta of Orlando Pride in the running for the best womens player after winning the Champions League with the French giants Reynold Pedros of Lyon Japan boss Asako Takakura and Netherlands coach Sarina Wiegman are in the running for best womens coachCatch up on all the latest sports news and updates here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever