5 Real Madrid stars that have been disappointing this season

#2 Luka Modric

Modric has not shown World Footballer of the Year form

When the brilliant Croatian was voted as The Best Player in the World for 2017, more than a few eyebrows were raised. This was because, despite Real Madrid's 13th UEFA Champions League win and Croatia getting to the World Cup final, he played a starring role in only one of these triumphs.

The victory was rightly seen as a result of voters' fatigue over the Ronaldo/Lionel Messi duopoly. It was believed that shorn of Ronaldo at club level and stalwarts like Mario Mandzukic and Danijel Subasic at the national level (both retired after Russia 2018), Modric would have to step up and do more.

This has failed to materialize as he has been one of the worst performers at Real Madrid. Stray passing, being caught in possession, being bypassed by the game's flow, these have been features of the much-loved Croatian's play this season.

The excuse of a World Cup hangover no longer holds water. 4 months into the new season, the 33-year-old has continued to underwhelm. Dani Ceballos has gotten more minutes this season as a result of the ineffectiveness of Madrid's starting midfielders; Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos.

It remains to be seen if he will pick up after the Christmas break but for the acclaimed best player in the world, Modric has had a torrid 2018/2019 season.