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Modric has been individually recognised for leading Croatia to its first World Cup final. The Croatian also won the best player at last week's Champions League awards. Real Madrid has been a top club in the past half-decade, and Modric has certainly been a huge factor for the success the club has achieved.
His playmaking abilities and equally effective defending skills have helped the Bernabeu outfit on several occasions. The Croatian has been part of Real Madrid since 2012, and the 32-year-old has won several trophies for the Los Blancos.
Modric has had a great season once again with Real Madrid, and with him also making it to the World Cup 2018 finals, the Croatian is a top contender to win the Ballon'dOr 2018.
Here are the reasons why I feel Modric should win the Ballon d'Or over the likes of Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohammad Salah, and Kylian Mbappe.
#3 Champions League glory
For the third time in three years, Modric has won the UEFA Champions League along with his Los Blancos teammates. A hattrick of UCL titles for the man from Croatia certainly gives him an upper hand over the others, excluding Ronaldo, to win the Ballon d'Or.
From being rated 'the worst transfer of 2012', Modric has turned the tables and he is on his way to end the Messi-Ronaldo domination.
Leo Messi and Kylian Mbappe had disappointing UCL campaigns, with Salah losing the finals to Real Madrid. This can turn out to be a key factor in deciding the winner. Ronaldo has not had a convincing start to his Juventus career, and the stage is set for Luka to make the Ballon d'Or his own.
#2 Impressive World Cup Campaign
One may claim that with the likes of Ronaldo and Benzema up front and Kroos alongside him, Modric may feel no pressure whatsoever to score and create often. However, the Croatian does not need world class players alongside him to showcase his abilities.
Modric had a wonderful World Cup campaign, and the 32-year-old has carried his team till the World Cup finals. Not only did he perform well individually, his partnership with Barcelona's mainstay Ivan Rakitic served them well in every knockout game they played.
His goal against Argentina was arguably one of the best goals he has ever scored. The magic he can produce is incomparable, and he certainly deserves the award.
Well, to support my argument, the Croatian also won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball 2018, which takes me to my next point.
#1 Winner of the FIFA Golden Ball 2018
The Golden Ball is an award given to the best player in a World Cup campaign, and there was no one as deserving as Modric for this award. The 32-year-old steered his country to a historic World Cup final but eventually lost to the Frenchmen.
Though they lost, not many will be willing to bet against Modric to win the Ballon d'Or 2018, as his season has been note-worthy and absolutely deserving. Is this the end of the Messi-Ronaldo era? If Modric is the man to do it, I'll be more than satisfied.
