Luka Modric Expresses Desire to Retire at Real Madrid

The midfield star becomes the first ever Croatian to win the Ballon d'Or.

Modric was fifth in the Ballon d'Or polling last year, and this year, he beat Cristiano Ronaldo, World Cup winners Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe in the vote to win the trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo and arch-rival Lionel Messi have won the award five times each over the past 10 years.

"The club shows me a lot of affection and I'd like to retire at Real Madrid". He has won the Champions League four times with Madrid. "My family enjoy it and I want to keep enjoying this huge club", goal.com quoted Modric, as saying.

Luka Modrić wins the 2018 Ballon d'Or

Modric, 33, finished ahead of 2017 victor Ronaldo of Juventus and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann for the prize, leaving Messi, who was fifth, outside the top three for the first time since 2006.

Modric, 33, helped Real Madrid win a third successive Champions League title in May and also captained Croatia to their first World Cup final, being named player of the tournament despite his side losing 4-2 to France. "I'm as surprised as anyone that he's not on the Ballon d'Or podium", Valverde said at his pre-match press conference."It's odd, he was the best player in the Champions League, but we don't decide these things, it's UEFA". "This success we achieved at the World Cup for such a small country like Croatia is something incredible".

"It feels incredible. I'm proud to win this lovely award".

Modric and Real Madrid are back in action on Thursday against Melilla in the Copa del Rey.

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