Ballon d'Or: Modric ends Messi and Ronaldo's dominance

World
Europe

01:54

“It will probably be near my bed in the first night, and then I will find a beautiful place where I could expose the trophy.”

With no doubt left, Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric won the 2018 Ballon d'Or on Monday, ending the dominance of a decade-long hold on the much-anticipated award by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The 33-year-old, after having already been crowned the best player in the 2018 World Cup, UEFA player of the year and FIFA best player, had a fantastic season with leading the Real Madrid to a third consecutive Champions League title before winning Golden Ball as the best player at the World Cup this year, in which Croatia reached the final for the first time.

Screenshot from Luka Modric's Twitter account.

Despite losing 4-2 to France in World Cup final, Modric was remembered by the world with a stunning achievement, joining Josef Masopust and Johan Cruyff to become the third World Cup finalist to be awarded the Ballon d'Or the same year.

Also, a breaking of the dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in FIFA best player, as well as the Ballon d'Or award, was amazing, “It's a unique feeling, I'm happy, proud and honored,” said Modric, after taking on the trophy from the former France forward David Ginola at the Grand Palais in Paris.

It has been 11 years since the last player to lift the Ballon d'Or award apart from Ronaldo and Messi when the Brazilian and AC Milan star Kaka was named in the highest vote with an excellent performance in UEFA Champions League in 2007.

“It's an inexplicable feeling for me to have won the Ballon d'Or, not because of holding a lead in the race with Ronaldo. The beautiful trophy made my year in all aspects.”

Real Madrid post a portrait for the Ballon d'Or winner Modric on Twitter account.

Five-time winner, Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo came second, while Atletico Madrid and France striker Antoine Griezmann came third. Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who tied with Ronaldo five times, finished fifth, ranking after Antoine Griezmann and Paris St Germain's France forward Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe poses after winning the Copa trophy on December 4, 2018. /VCG Photo

Mbappe, who does not turn 20 until later this month, took the stage with the France national team to lift the World Cup trophy this summer, winning the Copa trophy. The new award named after French former Ballon d'Or winner Raymond Kopa, has aimed to encourage and award the best under-21 players in the world.

Ballon d'Or was set up by France Football every year since 1956 and voted by the worldwide journalists. It has ever merged with FIFA best player awards from 2010 to 2015 and went back to its own awards again in 2016.

Top 10 ranking of the Men's Golden Ball:

1. Luka Modric (Real Madrid / Croatia)

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid / Juventus / Portugal)

3. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid / France)

4. Kylian Mbappe (Paris SG / France)

5. Lionel Messi (Barcelona / Argentina)

6. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool / Egypt)

7. Raphael Varane (Real Madrid / France)

8. Eden Hazard (Chelsea / Belgium)

9. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City / Belgium)

10. Harry Kane (Tottenham / England)