Modric wins another individual award

Luka Modric won yet another footballer award on Wednesday, according to an official press release from Real Madrid. He made the trip to Zagreb where he would receive the ‘Croatian Sportsman of the Year’ award for 2018. The award is given through a survey distributed by Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti.

This latest award adds yet another achievement to an incredible year for Modric. He reacted to his win, which adds to his capture of the Ballon d’Or and UEFA’s Men’s Player of the Year awards.

“This is a huge honor. I’d like to congratulate all the other athletes on their successes and efforts.”

“Family is the most important thing in the world to me because they’re always by my side, especially at the most difficult times, so my special thanks are reserved for them.”

New rumors about Ramos leaving Real Madrid if Mourinho returns

According to a new report from Mundo Deportivo and the Daily Star, Sergio Ramos is willing to leave the club if Jose Mourinho returns as manager of Real Madrid. The reports claim that Ramos does not have a good relationship with Mourinho and would not be one to welcome him back with open arms.

They also claim that Santiago Solari is seen more of a ‘transitional manager’ for the club and not a long-term option, despite signing a contract through 2021.

Whether Ramos has a working relationship with Mourinho or not, I wouldn’t think Real are actually serious about bringing him back as manager. At this point, they are just easy rumors to stir up because he has a previous connection with the club. Ramos appears to have some pull in who becomes manager, as there were reports that he did not want Conte to join.

The report does say if Real are not an option, Mourinho may elect to manage in the Chinese Super League. Regardless of where he goes after Manchester United, I wouldn’t be on a return to the Bernabéu right now.

Real Madrid top 2018 list of UEFA coefficients

Real Madrid were put at the top of the list for UEFA’s coefficients in Europe. They were also named as the top European club in both the last five-year and 10-year periods, beating out Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

The seeding is based off success in these two time blocks, largely due in part to Real Madrid’s Champions League successes. At least according to UEFA, Real are the top dog in Europe this last decade.

Alongside Real’s appointment at the top, UEFA also named LaLiga as the top domestic league in Europe for 2018, as well as the top European league in the last decade.

An interesting bit, the Premier League (2), Serie A (3), and the Bundesliga (4) were ranked in this order for the past decade. However, UEFA named the Bundesliga as the second-best European league in the 2017/18 season.