As Croatians, we know how important Luka Modrić is – not just to Croatian football – but the entire country of Croatia.
But let’s take a step back for a second and view Luka Modrić on a global scale. Football has been the Ronaldo/Messi show for the past decade. There’s no question about it. Sure, you can sprinkle some Zlatan in there and talk about Robert Lewandowski’s snub in 2020 – when the Ballon d’Or was not awarded due to COVID – and again in 2021 when Lewandowski should have beat out Lionel Messi for the legendary award.
But at the end of the day, there has only been only player on planet Earth not named Ronaldo or Messi to win the Ballon d’Or since 2007, and that player’s name is Luka Modrić.
That is absolutely insane if you think about. A Croatian dethroned the great Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, taking a nation of 4.5 million people to the World Cup Final.
In an era of dominance between two players placed in the GOAT debate every day, Luka Modrić broke through to do the unthinkable. The 5’8″ midfield maestro won the Ballon d’Or in 2018 to be the third player since 2007 to be named “Best Footballer On The Planet.”
And if Ronaldo and Messi keep winning these things for the next 2-3 years, Modrić’s legend will only grow.
What a time to be Croatian.
Nice goals in the box by pasalic
Him and budimir could do some damage up front when the World Cup comes around
I really like our depth this time around
Even though we eventually lost to Spain I hope it had unlocked something for Dalic moving forward and yes it would appear it will not include rebic at this stage
yeah, I saw the highlights. Agree, all the goals were nice, no BS rebound goals or anything. He continues to show really nice movement off of the ball. He angles and times his runs well.
Ballon’Dor isn’t based on skill or performance. It’s a popularity trophy. The fact Messi won this year was a kick to the balls of Lewandowski or any other nominee. Lewandowski has the most goals in any league and Messi has been slowing down. It’s like when Modric won, a lot of people argued he didn’t deserve it because he didn’t win the World Cup. Modric is the best 21st century midfielder and there’s no denial in that. Still at top player at a top club and has been keeping Real at the top. I can’t stand these homer’s that argue both of them deserve it every year.
I see Pasalic has a hat-trick against Venezia this morning
This article is a pretty good assessment of Luka’s Quality, he’s named THIRD greatest European Footballer of all time. He’s ahead of Iniesta, Cryuff, Beckenbauer, Platini etc.
https://www.givemesport.com/1716153-ronaldo-zidane-beckham-the-30-greatest-european-footballers-of-all-time-ranked
It’s not just midfield we are talking about here, he’s one of the greatest footballers of ALL Time!
Messi is not in the top 30 of all time?????
Oh,, never mind.. Just saw top European players.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/therealchamps.com/2021/11/27/real-madrid-toni-kroos-rank-best-midfielders-history/amp/
“For me, Zinedine Zidane is at the top of the list. His sheer quality is enough to make me rate him as a player who stands above everyone else. Then he is followed closely by Andres Iniesta and Luka Modric, among whom I would give a slight edge to the Croatian genius.”
I read an article recently (I’ll see if I can find the link) where the author was debating whether Toni Kroos will be considered a midfield legend. Over the last 30 years, he ranked Zidane first and Modrić 2nd. So yeah, that’s how great his legacy is.