5 superstars that could hinder Luka Modric from winning the Ballon d'Or 

#2 Lionel Messi

Messi was one of the top performers on the planet during the previous campaign

Despite missing out on the final shortlist during both the UEFA and FIFA Best Awards recently, there is no doubt Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi still ranks among the few superstars that could hinder Luka Modric from adding the Ballon d'Or award to his cabinet this year.

The Argentine was arguably the top performer in Europe during the previous campaign, bagging an amazing 44 goals and 18 assists for Barcelona across all competitions and claiming both the Pichichi trophy and the European Golden Shoe - having outscored every attacker on the continent during the course of the term.

Messi was a huge influence throughout the season, consistently producing scintillating performances and dragging the Catalans to claim both the La Liga title and the Copa Del Rey trophy to summarise another successful domestic campaign at the Nou Camp.