Luka Modrić wins FIFA Club World Cup for 4th time
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Luka Modrić (Photo: Real Madrid)
ABU DHABI, 22 December 2018 – Croatian captain Luka Modrić has capped off a phenomenal year by winning his fourth FIFA Club World Cup trophy on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
Modrić opened the scoring in the final against UAE club Al Ain when he fired in from outside the box with his left foot in the 14th minute.
Marcos Llorente doubled the lead for Real Madrid in the 60th minute before captain Sergio Ramos found the back of the net with his head in the 79th minute to give the Spanish club a 3-0 lead.
Al Ain, coached by Croatian Zoran Mamić, pulled one back in the 86th minute through Shiotani but an own goal in the dying stages would eventually give Real Madrid a 4-1 win.
Modrić has now won the FIFA Club World Cup title four times with Real Madrid and his third in a row after winning it in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
It was the perfect end to a great year for the Croatian who this year won the UEFA Champions League, 2018 World Cup Golden Ball, UEFA Player of the Year, FIFA ‘Best’ Player of the Year, IFFHS Playmaker of the Year, runners-up medal at the World Cup and the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
