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 - The 2018 Ballon d’Or might end the 10-year duopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who have won the trophy five times each.

APRNEWS - Croatian international and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has been named the best footballer for the year 2018 by football’s world governing body, FIFA.

Modric beat off competition from Egypt and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and his former teammate and Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

APRNEWS - Egypt international and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been nominated for the 2018 FIFA best player award, football world governing body announced on Monday.

He was shortlisted along with Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Juventus) and Luka Modric (Croatia / Real Madrid).

APRNEWS - Cristiano Ronaldo was hopping mad at losing out to Croatia star Luka Modric for the UEFA Player of the Year, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri revealed on Friday.

Real Madrid and Croatia midfield star Modric beat his former teammate Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah to the prize which was awarded on Thursday in Monaco.

APRNEWS - Croatian international and Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, has been named the best European player by the continent’s football governing body, UEFA.

APRNEWS - World Cup finalists, Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric have been nominated to challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s stranglehold on the World Footballer of the Year title as announced by FIFA yesterday. They are among 10 candidates shortlisted for the title currently held by Ronaldo.