APRNEWS - Luka Modric’s journey from Croatian war child to the world’s best footballer was celebrated Monday when the Real Madrid midfielder hoisted the Ballon d’Or.

A national hero in his home country and crowned the best player on the planet, Modric was rewarded for his key role in Croatia’s historic run to the World Cup final and his club Real Madrid’s third straight Champions League trophy.

APRNEWS - Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici said Monday it was not easy to replace a player of the calibre of Cristiano Ronaldo as he also dismissed a return to Italy for Manchester United’s French World Cup winner Paul Pogba.

APRNEWS - Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah have been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or football trophy that is awarded to the best player in the world by France Football magazine.

Salah and Mane were nominated after their record breaking season with English club side, Liverpool that saw them reach the Champions League final that they lost to Real Madrid.

APRNEWS - Cristiano Ronaldo seems to have ended his battle with Lionel Messi by leaving Real Madrid and La Liga behind, says Barcelona boss, Ernesto Valverde.

THEGUARDIAN - In an age when individual awards are given ever greater importance, Saturday’s Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool — and Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah — could determine the winner of the next Ballon d’Or.