4 Things that aided Luka Modric's Ballon d'Or triumph

#3 The FIFA World Cup

Modric was the best player in the tournament

Although Luka Modric had already boosted his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or award with his success in the UEFA Champions League last season, it is actually his exploits in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup tournament which was held in Russia that really justifies his status as the best player in the world.

Shouldering an enormous responsibility of captaining an underdog nation on the grandest stage of all, the Croatian International made his impact felt with his eye-catching performances in the tournament - stepping up at the vital moments to guide his team through a number difficult encounters.

The Real Madrid superstar was undoubtedly the most impressive performer in Russia, bagging two vital goals and 1 assist to join with his role of controlling games from the middle of the pitch as well as running riot on his way to leading his nation to the final of the World Cup for the first time in their history.