DOMINIC KING IN PARIS: Luka Modric's glorious 2018 received the ultimate recognition – and secured his place in history – when he received the Ballon d'Or. This prize has been the property of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the past 10 years but two vacant seats on the front row showed that, disappointingly, neither had accepted the invitation to be at the decadent Grand Palais in Paris for what was a glitzy ceremony. Modric – the first 'new' winner since Brazil great Kaka in 2007 – has had an exceptional 12 months. He was instrumental in helping his club, Real Madrid, win a third consecutive Champions League in May and then became the heartbeat in the Croatia team that reached the World Cup final.
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