Luka Modric defends the prestige of the Ballon d'Or

Luka Modric has defended the prestige of the Ballon d'Or, contrasting with recent criticisms from former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Modric, who won the award in 2018, described the honor as the “greatest individual recognition that exists,” noting the difficulty of winning it while representing a smaller footballing nation like Croatia.

While Ronaldo has questioned the award's credibility and suggested that objective statistics and Champions League success should carry more weight, Modric maintains that the achievement is a career highlight.

Regarding future recipients, Modric declined to name specific favorites for the 2026 award, stating that “people vote and decide who wins” and noting that there are many strong candidates from clubs like Real Madrid. The upcoming ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26.