Luka Modrić won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, making history as:
The first player since 2007 to break the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who had shared the award for a decade.
The first Croatian player to win the Ballon d’Or.
Why Luka Modrić Won in 2018:
•Club Achievements with Real Madrid:
• Played a pivotal role in helping Real Madrid win their third consecutive UEFA Champions League title (2017–18).
• Instrumental in controlling games with his midfield mastery.
International Achievements with Croatia:
• Led Croatia to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, their best-ever performance in the tournament.
• Awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the World Cup.
3. Individual Recognition:
• Praised for his exceptional vision, passing, and work rate, Modrić was considered the heartbeat of both his club and national team.
