Luka Modric has described his 2018 Ballon d’Or triumph as a particularly special achievement because it came during an era dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The Croatian midfielder, who now plays for Milan, reflected on the individual honour he won while representing Real Madrid.
“Winning the Ballon d’Or in the era of Ronaldo and Messi is something special,” Modric said.
Modric collected the award in 2018, ending a period in which the prize had been closely associated with Ronaldo and Messi. His success therefore carried significance beyond the personal recognition attached to the Ballon d’Or, marking a notable moment in the competition during the two players’ era.
At the time of his victory, Modric was a Real Madrid player. He had joined the Spanish club in 2012 and remained there until 2025, representing the side for 13 years before moving on to Milan.
His Ballon d’Or win remains linked to his career at Real Madrid, where he established himself as a key figure in the club’s midfield. The award came during his spell with the “royal” club and is the individual achievement he was discussing in his latest comments.
Modric’s remarks focus on the wider importance of receiving the prize while Ronaldo and Messi shaped the Ballon d’Or conversation. In that context, he considers the honour especially significant, rather than viewing it simply as another individual award.
The midfielder is now continuing his career with Milan, but his 2018 success remains the central achievement referenced in his comments. The award was won while he was playing for Real Madrid, the club he represented from 2012 through 2025.
Although the source of the comments provides no additional detail about the voting or the ceremony, Modric’s message is clear: winning the Ballon d’Or in that period had an importance of its own. His recognition stood out against the backdrop of Ronaldo and Messi’s influence over the award.
The Croatian’s comments also underline the place of the 2018 result within his career. It was achieved during his lengthy Real Madrid spell and before his current chapter with Milan. For Modric, the timing of the success is central to its meaning.
His description of the achievement presents the award as a distinctive moment in football history, shaped not only by the honour itself but also by the level of competition surrounding it. That is why Modric regards his Ballon d’Or victory as something special.