Modrić: "I am proud of this great award"

After winning the silver medal at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Luka Modrić was pronounced UEFA Men's Player of the Year:

"It's an incredible moment for me. I feel really excited and proud of this great award. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me me to receive this reward, as well as my club Real Madrid, my teammates, and my coaches who supported me at all times."

Prompted to name one person as his greatest inspiration, Modrić pointed to his father:

"My father is the person who took me to my first training session. He always pushed me to fight for my dreams, to never give up, and to believe in myself. I owe him a lot for everything, and for getting where I am today."

In addition to winning Men's Player of the Year, Modrić was also pronounced 2017/18 Champions League Midfielder of the Season. When asked to explain Real Madrid's stunning success in the Champions League, he pointed to unity:

"First of all, everything we are achieving seems unreal. It's not easy, and I think teamwork is the key. Among other characteristics that this team posesses, we have character, quality and togetherness. Without being a team, being a family, it would be very difficult to achieve what we are doing."

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