Luka Modric Wins the 2018 Ballon d’Or — A Break‑through After a Decade of Ronaldo & Messi Dominance
Imagine the drama of a European Championship but with fewer spills on the footie pitch: that’s what Luka Modric’s 2018 Ballon d’Or trophy looked like, amid Paris‑style glitter and a sea of journalists voting for each line of the winners’ story. At 33, Modric carried a heavy suitcase of triumphs into the Grand Palais — a third Champions League triumph with Real Madrid in May, and a World Cup final captaincy for Croatia that saw the team storm into the 2018 final for the first time ever.
Walking On Cloud Nine (but at least it’s the real Oscars)
In a tuxedo‑topped moment that made every sports sofa‑camera a little more dramatic, he told reporters: “It’s a unique feeling. I’m happy, proud, and honoured – I have a lot of emotions right now, and it’s hard to describe in words.” This was no mere selfie‑inspiration; it was genuine, raw, and, let’s face it, a lot of fun.
The Ballon d’Or: The This‑Act, That‑Act of Football’s Beloved Award
The French magazine France Football has been handing out the Ballon d’Or since 1956, and it was under a joint venture with FIFA (as “The Best”) from 2010‑2015 before becoming its own, star‑shining entity again.
Who Came Close (so close they almost smelled his sweat?)
- Ronaldo – 2nd place, still itching for that trophy’s prestige.
- Antoine Griezmann – 3rd, the Parisian striker who smoothed the way.
- Kylian Mbappé – 4th, still a dazzling midfielder‑turned‑goal‑scanner who also scooped the Kopa for Best U‑21.
- Lionel Messi – 5th, the Argentine who managed to cut both his own and the trophy’s history.
Remembering Kaka, the Swiss of Brazilian Smiles
If you’re deep in the history files, you’ll notice the trophy’s last non‑Messi Ronaldo winner until Modric is Kaka, who delivered it in 2007 while at AC Milan.
Women’s World: Ada Hegerberg, the Queen Who Won It All
In the inaugural Women’s Ballon d’Or, Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg shone bright, guiding her club to a Women’s Champions League title, scoring the winning goal in extra time in a 4-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg.
Final Takeaway: Modric’s Legacy, Emotion, and a Bit of Humor
Luka Modric’s win is more than a trophy. It’s a love letter to the fans, a blue‑bell for humility, and a fresh beat in the rhythm of football’s finest awards. The next chapters are written in the annals of football legends — who knows? In the meantime, we’ll keep cheering in the stands, watching that trophy shine under the Parisian sky.
