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'It's not going to go to Messi' - Modric backed to take Golden Ball from Argentina star

Zlatko Dalic hopes Croatia's talismanic playmaker can do enough at World Cup 2018 to inherit a prestigious individual prize from a Barcelona icon

Zlatko Dalic hopes Luka Modric will be named the best player at the 2018 World Cup as it will mean Croatia have done something "significant" in Russia.

Modric has been widely praised as one of the standout performers from the group stage, having inspired his side to take nine points out of nine against Iceland, Argentina and Nigeria.

All eyes will be on the Real Madrid midfielder again on Sunday, when he does battle with Denmark star Christian Eriksen in the last-16 clash in Nizhny Novgorod, where he scored a stunning goal in the 3-0 win over Argentina.