Luka Modrić Ballon d'Or

In 2018, Luka Modrić made history by winning the Ballon d'Or, breaking a decade-long dominance by Messi and Ronaldo. His exceptional performances for Real Madrid, including winning the UEFA Champions League, and leading Croatia to the FIFA World Cup final earned him the prestigious award. Modrić became the first Croatian player ever to win the Ballon d'Or.