Luka Modrić Wins Croatia’s ‘Football Oscar’ for 4th Time

Luka Modrić (photo: Mario Ćužić)

Real Madrid star Luka Modrić has won the ‘Football Oscar’ for the best Croatian footballer of the year for the fourth year in a row…

Modrić, who again lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy this season, was presented the award at a ceremony last night in the capital Zagreb. Croatia’s ‘Football Oscars’ are based on votes by all players and coaches in the Croatian first division.

“I can only once again express my gratitude to all my Croatian colleagues and coaches as we who again awarded me this prestigious award. If the Football Oscar went to Ivan Rakitić or Ivan Perišić, who were both nominated, it would be fully deserved, because they both had a great season. Personally I feel great and I hope that all team led by coach Čačić will justify ourselves, but also the expectations of Croatian fans, of course with the necessary dose of luck. We will do our best to achieve our goal, “Modrić said upon receiving the award.

The Oscar for the best U-21 player of the year went to Dinamo Zagreb’s talented midfielder Ante Ćorić.

“Thanks everyone for the award. I debuted for the national team and I am very happy because of that. Now all I thinking of is Dinamo and the Euro in France, ” he said award receiving the award from former Dinamo Zagreb star Mark Viduka.

Ante Ćorić with Mark Viduka (photo: Mario Ćužić)

Dinamo Zagreb striker Marko Pjaca won HNL Player of the Year, whilst Dinamo’s double-winning coach Zoran Mamić was named Coach of the Year.

Last night’s winners (photo: Mario Ćužić)

The HNL team of the year named last night was: Lovre Kalinić (Hajduk), Josip Pivarić (Dinamo), Gordon Schildenfeld (Dinamo), Stefan Ristovski (Rijeka) Marko Lešković (Rijeka), Tino Sven Sušić (Hajduk), Ante Ćorić (Dinamo) Marko Rog (Dinamo) Ilija Nestorovski (Inter-Zaprešić), Marin Tomasov (Rijeka) Marko Pjaca (Dinamo).