Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, and Cristiano Ronaldo win UEFA positional player of the year honors
By Ben Sundock
Real Madrid had a great showing at the UEFA Champions League award show yesterday in Monaco with three players winning awards for best defender in Europe, best midfielder, and best forward. Here’s who won the awards and what it means for the club going forward.
Sergio Ramos – Best Defender of the 2016/2017 Champions League season
In a category that featured two Real Madrid nominees, both Ramos and Marcelo, the first team captain took home the trophy for the best defender in this past season’s Champions League.
It comes as no surprise that Ramos was able to beat Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci and left-back Marcelo, as he was crucial in leading Real to their second consecutive Champions League title.
The 31-year-old center back made 11 appearances in the competition, starting all 11 of those matches. While playing 1,001 minutes, Ramos scored a goal and added two assists, his only two assists in all competition this past season.
Ramos’ strength at the back was very noticeable as he accounted for 46 clearances, won an average of 2.5 ariels per match, made 2.6 interceptions per match, and also made 2.3 tackles per match. All incredible numbers.
Ramos has been a leader on and off the field for this club and is deserving of this honor.
Luka Modric – Best Midfielder of the 2016/17 Champions League season
The little engine that could in the midfield was able to beat out his two fellow teammates to win the best midfielder award. Luka won the award over Toni Kroos and Casemiro who both played incredibly during last season.
While I think all three of these guys could share this award for being the best midfield in Europe, I see why Modric was the one to take home the honors.
The Croatian had phenomenal stats in terms of defense in the midfield.
36 players have attempted 100+ take-ons in the Champions League since 2012/13.
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 24, 2017
Luka Modric has the highest success rate.
71.4% 👌 pic.twitter.com/Rq0O5QCaRa
He might not have scored a goal and only been credited with one assist in 11 appearances, but Luka was great on defense, and great passing the ball up to the forwards the entire competition.
Don’t forget, it was Luka who made the game winning assist to Cristiano Ronaldo in the UCL Final against Juventus after a great run and making a great pass.
Luka 100% deserved this award and I’m very happy it was him who won it.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Best Forward/UEFA Player of the Year for 2016/17
The legend himself can add yet another trophy to his ever growing collection. Not only did Cristiano beat out Paulo Dybala and his rival Leo Messi to win the best forward award, he then went on to beat out Gigi Buffon and Messi for the Male Player of the Year in Europe.
CR7 played in every match of the successful campaign, scoring 12 goals, adding 6 assists, while also winning Man of the Match three times. He finished the season with an average match rating of 8.06 according to WhoScored, the highest rating of any Real Madrid player throughout the competition.
Thanks to my teammates, coaches and staff who helped me win this trophy. I dedicate this to my family, friends and fans. This is also yours! pic.twitter.com/f9CIPyuYnX
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) August 24, 2017
Cristiano finished with the most goals of any player in the Champions League thanks to his incredible goal output in the knockout stage, scoring two hat-tricks and bagging a brace in the final.
It looks like this is just a prelude to yet another Ronaldo Ballon d’Or as it’s clear Cristiano is in the best form of any player in the world.
Next: Everything you need know about Real Madrid’s Champions League draw