A window into the past: how Modric became the Ballon d’Or. He describes it all in his autobiography ‘My Game’

For an incredible ten years (2008 – 2017), world football was dominated by the phenomenal pair of footballers Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who fairly shared the most prestigious trophy, the Ballon d’Or of the French weekly France Football. The question of who would succeed in breaking their domination grew ever more pressing. Only Croatia’s Luka Modric, the best player of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where Croatia captured the silver medals, proved it. It is not only this success that he describes in his book ‘My Game’.

With Real Madrid, he conquered the most prestigious club competition, the Champions League, in 2017/2018, Croatia lost to France in the final at the World Cup in Russia, and he won the Best Player UEFA poll announced by the German magazine Kicker.

It seemed that nothing could top the dreary 2018. But the peak was yet to come. The end of the year was approaching and there was a lot of talk about who would succeed in the world’s Golden Ball journalists’ poll, which has been announced by the French magazine France Football since 1956. Whoever wins this trophy is considered – rightly – the crowned king.

“It was Monday 19 November 2018 and I had just woken up. After the UEFA Nations League match against England, I stayed in London with Vanya. I had a day off.

I was still tossing and turning in bed when I remembered I was going to get a call from France Football today. Or not. I’d showered and dressed and was about to eat breakfast when my phone rang. I could tell by the number on the display that it was the director of France Football calling, and I froze immediately.

I was paralysed because everything indicated that I had won the Ballon d’Or. But what if he dialed the wrong number? Or maybe he just wanted to tell me that he was sorry, but someone else had won the Ballon d’Or? I decided not to take it. I just wanted to hope for one more second.

I didn’t expect it to be such an adrenaline rush, especially since I had already won UEFA and FIFA awards. But the Ballon d’Or is special, magical. There is a long tradition attached to it and one immediately thinks of all the legends who have won this tremendous trophy.

I went to Vanja, who was taking a shower, and I said to her: “They called. France Football called me.”

“What did they say?” she asked, and I could see the excitement in her eyes.

“I didn’t answer,” I replied. Which was obviously utter madness.

“Why?! Then call them back.” Vanya was as composed as ever.

“Hold on, I have to wait a minute. I need to calm down.” I was a little out of it, but after five or six minutes I finally dialed the number. On the other end, France Football director Pascal Ferré answered and said:

“Congratulations, Luka, you have won the Ballon d’Or for 2018! I’m happy for you and I’m happy that a player like you won the Ballon d’Or. Your character and your performance really deserve this award!”

I listened and wondered in my mind if this was really happening.

“You’re first, and by a huge margin. No one has even come close to you. Congratulations again and I look forward to seeing you soon.”

I was in seventh heaven. I translated what Pascal had said to Vanja. We both burst into tears. This was the real icing on the cake – the Ballon d’Or to end a perfect 2018. We fell into each other’s arms and hugged long and hard.

We came to this moment together. It was our miracle. I had to call my parents, even though Pascal urged me not to tell anyone. I wanted to share this perfect moment with my dad, especially him.

This and similar experiences from his rich career are recounted in his autobiography ‘My Game’, published by Práh.