LONDON — The Croatian midfielder Luka Modric was named FIFA’s player of the year for the 2017-18 season on Monday, ending a decade of dominance by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Modric, 33, was honored for winning the Champions League with Real Madrid for the fourth time in five seasons and leading Croatia to its first World Cup final. In the women’s game, Marta won her sixth player of the year award, and her first since 2010, after leading Brazil to Copa América Femenina glory.
“This trophy is not just mine,” Modric said. “It’s for all my Real Madrid teammates.