Modric - Golden Ball winner

poor decision for me.  he wasn't even Croatia's best player.

Croatia will never reach another final and FIFA probably felt they had to give them something once they lost. Mbappe getting young POTT, it was no brainer to give it to Modric and 1.01

Last time I bother with a market based on opinion.

No way has he looked a better or more influential player than Hazard. Did he take on and beat a player in the tournament? Loads of hanging about on the halfway line playing passes that meant nothing. You can't give it out based on some sort of consolation prize because Croatia were hard done by. That's what it looks like.

Maybe to soften the Croatian reaction on VAR?

But as you say, its an opinion based decision so why complain. I wanted to back Modric but before I pressed the trigger, I read the rules and realized Fifa and the media decide who wins. Cant risk money on something like that.

Modric won because he single-handedly dragged a pub team into the World Cup Final. It seems fair -- the only player who can claim to have been robbed was Mbappe and after scoring a goal to win the World Cup, I doubt he will let it fester.

But as some have said, it's based on opinion. It's a fun bet, not one to risk the rent money on.

modric won it because his manager ,hangers on hit the social media airwaves about his dad been killed in the conflict,etc,etc

no one mentioned the mercenary who left spuds for the kings shilling,is facing jail for tax evasion and for 60 mins the other night was outplayed by the water carrier henderson

very average player

^

was there much hoovering on this market?

You'd have to go back to 1994 to find a Golden Ball winner from a country that also won the World Cup.

Now Modric has won, 5 of the last 6 winners were from a team that finished Runners-Up, the other finished 4th.

No way was Modric best player at the tournament but it's fast become a sympathy award over the years based on how many players win it after losing the final.

At least they haven't turned it into a beauty contest

not a drop left for Modric in the market which was still open after announcement

was out but noticed on phone Mbappe was backed into 1.5. Looked 30 minutes later and Modric was 1.01 to lay

I read before the votes are cast at Half Time. Mbappe backer probably fooled by that.

OPTA had eden hazard as the best player, he won man of the match 5 times

At least they haven't turned it into a beauty contest


JK Rowling reportedly pleased.

I'm sure we've all woken up next to a Modric.

Hazard was MOTM 3 times not 5, Modric - Kane - Griezmann also had 3 MOTM awards.

This Modric win based on past stats goes against the grain, normally you'd have to be in the top 2 for joint goals and assists but he wasn't.

on OPTA's stats, which are different to FIFA, hazard won MOTM 5 times
hazard also had the highest dribble success rate in the world cup
and won possession in the final third more than any other player
but he gets no recognition so

I would have Hazard as well based on what I saw without looking at stats. Too many people think about the rather than feel it.

Hazard though played 7 matches at the World Cup and according to whoscored's own ratings in those game he had 4, Hazard-Lukaku-Fellaini-Hazard-Courtois-Hazard-Hazard

If I was a manager who could buy any player from the world cup it would be hazard

correct^^

Thorgan?

Harry kane top scorer crisp first name on the team sheet

never a wise move to buy players on a performance in the world cup/euros. hazard has been poor or very poor in 2 of the last 4 seasons for chelsea. the very best player don't drop their level like that

griezemen motm 3 times, , never lifted a leg for 7 matches ,they had to wake him up to take the pens actually think he was worse or equally as bad as giroud,who played 7 games as centre forward for the new world champions and never had a shot on target

You have to wonder how France won at all if their players well so sh*t.

Heard them say on tv that giroud didn’t have a shot on target the full tournament, how is that possible for the centre forward that plays for team that won it.... Don’t care what the experts say the guy is woeful, France must be some team, played with 10 for most of it.

so its a sympathy award yet voted for at half time

and not a mention of Adidas anywhere

Re hoovering. Right at the end, Modric was backed off the boards but just before that, the late market moves seemed very odd. Hazard was backed, and at one point Pogba was 1.01; Mbappe bobbed up and down, and Modric drifted almost to 5 at one point. Whether people were reacting to commentators spreading false information or perhaps it was bots reacting to each other.

who says it's voted for on half time, haven't read that anyway officially, before the tournament I read of FIFA's website the Golden ball is decided upon after the final, why in the world would they decide at Half time

Modric turned his back to Pogba when he shot  for the third goal , game over

cheers Ramruma, finding out Pogba was 1.01 is a metaphorical hobnailed boot to the testies.

bang on there bankit giroud is completly useless

its currently decided after the final whistle. in 2006 it was decided at half time via media vote hence Zidane winning it despite the headbutt. He was 30s in running as far as I remember

Hazard was the player of the tournament for me.
Lost his chance by not making the final so not being available for the presentation.
Modric was quality but got it over Mbappe based on sharing out the awards and both being there to collect.
Interesting market with more factors than just who's the best player.
Cheers for your input Mes.

Joke of an award basically, well, lesson learned.

kevin de bruyne was player of the tournament for me, only 1 goal and 2 assists, played in the wrong position for the first 3 matches he played in, otherwise could of scored more and got more assists

yes when they queried the golden ball award for zidane it was revealed that the award had been given before his red card, at half time, no idea why they would do it but if your small sample includes some that have been given before the final whistle then obviously its as flawed to suggest its given out of sympathy, just like the Adidas nonsense

the ballon d'or seems to be ring-fenced to world cup and champions league team achievement, given modric is/was a key player in the real madrid team and has been very influential in leading a small country like croatia to the final, then i'd have no problem with him getting that award, based on the rational they use

france totally uninspiring world cup winners
modric golden ball winner when its debatable if he was even Croatia,s best player,probably wouldn't get a game for belguim
golden boot winner kane 3 pens,2 tap ins and 1 ridiculous deflection, 1 pen since 2nd match
germany,spain,argentina,brazil all leaving early

yet Neville,lineker ,media etc trying to tell us it was the greatest world cup ever,now who said you can polish a turd,but 

Worst World Cup I have ever watched. All Mediocre teams.