Croatia captain Luka Modrić was named Best FIFA Footballer of the Year at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2018 in London on Monday night.
In the latest incarnation of football’s governing body’s big awards ceremony there was some confusion as different players in the same position were recognised, after ‘fictional rapper’ Big Shaq opened the show.
Many also refused to approve of Mo Salah’s Puskás Award-winning goal and debated Dani Alves’s inclusion in the World XI.
Missing from the star-studded event were former contestants for the top prize, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, noted by the winner:
I don’t want to enter into the debate of whether it is deserved or not, I just want to thank all the people that voted for me for their support.
Everyone has their own reasons. Obviously I would have liked them to be here but they aren’t.
These were the best jokes from the FIFA Football Awards 2018:
If you know this man you should be married by now. #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/xP9APbWAFz
— Adebayo Eniola (@Ennyholar_) September 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Ben_Islington/status/1044294999683289093
https://twitter.com/HEAD_MASTA/status/1044295098962505728
https://twitter.com/MugambiRichie/status/1044295847448641536
https://twitter.com/McHarryzon/status/1044304890242224128
If you think I'm a joke love, wait till you see some of the decisions at the #FIFAFootballAwards #TheBest pic.twitter.com/SafeMtSMvi
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) September 24, 2018
#FIFAFootballAwards
Best Actor Award!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/NHbiQzsQ58— #HowFootballSavedHumans (@HowHumans_) September 24, 2018
A man won FIFA Women's Coach 2018
Over to you feminists!#FIFAFootballAwards
— Engr. Anyanime W. (@badass_builder) September 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Bhadoosky/status/1044312205880168449
https://twitter.com/Amchizzy/status/1044312969801330696
Probably the worst Football award show in history #FIFAFootballAwards
— MUHQ News (@MUHQNews) September 24, 2018
I don't think I can be friends with anyone who values this Fifa Best thing. It's not what I signed up to football for.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) September 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/ItsBravin/status/1044344180254953472
Luka wins it #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/a0RYl6Z8tH
— jangaffa (@gTownPsycho_) September 24, 2018
Worst joke of the year. #FIFAFootballAwards
— Sharaf Juhayr (@SharafJuhayr) September 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Phatill/status/1044314749213790209
https://twitter.com/RMadrid_FR/status/1044319998720847873
The Diego Maradona award at tonight's #FIFAFootballAwards went to René Higuita after his wildly incoherent "interview" with us on the Green Carpet pic.twitter.com/hp3lQzSg1t
— Neil Barker (@Mockneyrebel) September 24, 2018
One thing we have all learned today, never, ever, leave it up to fans to vote for the Pukas goal of the year award. #FIFAFootballAwards
— Football Tweets (@FutballTweets) September 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Engr_Series/status/1044325771630776327
Best Midfielder in the World!#TheBest #FIFAFootballAwardspic.twitter.com/nTatzyZEEk
— Never Forget Football (@NFFootball_) September 24, 2018
Think it's funny how Roberto Carlos has turned into an upside down Ronaldo with age….#FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/ofCfiYX68A
— MR T (@BigKyri) September 24, 2018
You almost wonder if there was a football season before the World Cup. #FIFAFootballAwards
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) September 24, 2018
Mo Salah is in the top 3 best players in the world, but he's not in the FIFA Pro 11. How is that possible?#FIFAFootballAwards #TheBest pic.twitter.com/SDU3nhhZoq
— O ji amụ eme Liberation １ (@maxxyfire) September 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/EnekemGreg/status/1044325092136824832
https://twitter.com/LazyWrita/status/1044315864391208960
Salah won the Puskas for a goal Messi scores at least once a month#FIFAFootballAwards #TheBest pic.twitter.com/5PcAsflnPV
— O ji amụ eme Liberation １ (@maxxyfire) September 24, 2018
Mo Salah is probably given this award as compensation because that's the worst goal to win a Puskas ever #FIFAFootballAwards
— Imoh (@ImohUmoren) September 24, 2018
Recap of the #FIFAFootballAwards
Courtois voted Best FIFA Goalkeeper, left out of World11
Salah nominated for the main award, left out of World11
Salah won Puskás Award for a goal that wasn't even nominated for the PL goal of the season
Idris Elba wore a Southgate waistcoat: pic.twitter.com/qSwiRDvDMN
— bet365 (@bet365) September 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/JonBenjamin19/status/1044314934732095488
This should've been the FIFA World XI#TheBest #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/XSMzOA7H1d
— Fredrik (@F_Edits) September 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Guru6525/status/1044315908502511616