Daily Times

Real Madrid’s Luka Modric was awarded the UEFA player of the year prize on Thursday, much to the surprise to many.

While the other two candidates in Cristiano Ronaldo and Muhammad Salah were strong contenders to win it too, and many Ronaldo fans still feel bitter about it, there is one guy who has completely, and unfairly, cancelled out of the equation.

Also read: Messi eyes another record as Barcelona draw Tottenham

Not saying that Modric did not deserve it, but Messi deserved it more and here are 4 reasons why.

Stats don’t lie

Just like hips, stats don’t lie too. Messi scored a total of 45 goals this season, had 18 assists and won a domestic double.

He was also instrumental in his team’s dominating Spanish league win, in which Barcelona lost a handful of just 1 fixture. In comparison, Cristiano scored less, assisted less, and won just 1 trophy. And if we are talking about the World Cup 2018, both went home in the very same round. Same is the case with Modric.

Barcelona’s main man

Messi has always been Barcelona main man. The most important person in the city. Last season, there was no Xavi and Andres Iniesta was not very consistent too. In such circumstances, Messi took charge of his club and won them a league and a cup. If that does not win a Balon d’Or, nothing will.

All in one

Messi was all in alone last season. He was scoring, assisting, passing, defending, playing as a striker, as a winger, as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder and even a defender. In simpler words, he was Barca’s most complete player.

Because he is the best player

Simply because Messi is the best. It needs no justification or factual explanation. What Lionel Messi does, no one else can, and therefore, he deserved the UEFA POTY more than the rest of the footballers.