Luka Modrić was once again praised for his ability to unlock the opposing defense, with the award he received in Yokohama, Japan quite bizzare and yet appropriate for such a midfield master.
Real Madrid in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup beat Mexico City's Club América 2:0 with goals from Benzema and Ronaldo. Real Madrid, of course, was led by Luka Modrić, who after another great game this season was declared "Man of the Match", reports Index.hr on 16 December 2016.
The unusual prize for this offering was somehow fitting, and Modrić was gifted a huge golden key from the sponsors of the Club World Cup (perhaps their way of showing how well Luka “unlocks” the game?). Luka Modrić, who stands at only 174 centimeters tall, was quite literally towered over by the nearly life-sized key.
Modrić, regardless of his team’s victory and his stellar game, was bothered after the match and vocalized his dissatisfaction with the application of the video assistant referee (VAR) technology that occurred during the match. When Ronaldo hit his 500th goal in the back of the net, confusion immediately circulated afterwards in thoughts that the goal was offside, with the first official Enrique Caceres requesting the expertise of the video playback to properly judge the call. The official eventually ended up declaring the goal valid.
"I don't know what to say," the Croatian international said. "It is something new. To be honest, I don't like it. It creates a lot of confusion. We had a meeting with referees the other day. I did not listen too much as I don't expect it to continue. For me it is not what football is about. We will see what happens. The first sensation for me is not good."
