Cristiano Ronaldo was running quite close to Croatia’s Luka Modric for winning the UEFA Player of the Year Award. However, Luka Modric walked away with the accolade and Ronaldo’s manager agent Gorge Mendis even slammed the body for overlooking the footballer. Ronaldo’s absence from the ceremony set the tongues wagging and adding on to the controversy. However, Modric revealed that Ronaldo messaged him after winning the UEFA Player of the Year Award via a text message.

While speaking to RTP3 Modric said, “Cristiano sent me a message, congratulated me and told me he is happy for me and I deserved it," said the 32-year-old Real Madrid midfielder. "He also said he can't wait to meet me again." The Croatian footballer also said that he is not obsessed with the award. Cristiano Ronaldo's son outshines his dad 

“I am happy to be in another big award final, we'll see what will happen. I have a good relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo and we'll have good relationship in the future too. Individual awards are important but I am not obsessed with them," he explained.

Portugal boss Fernando Santos also mentioned that Ronaldo was ahead of Santos and deserved the award and Modric is the second best footballer. “The vote for the best of FIFA is not mine. If it was mine, Ronaldo was the champion. Ronaldo is the champion for me. And in second place, I'd put Modric. But the rest of votes come from the public, journalists, other coaches, there are many people, so the decision will be announced at the right date,” he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2018 08:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).