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#1 Luka Modrić
The Golden Ball winner Luka Modrić. What a World Cup the 32-year-old had. Croatia were always burdened with the success of the side in the 1998 World Cup had. With the best players in this current golden generation around 30 years old, it was now or never to live up to what was accomplished 20 years ago. Not only did they match that side, they bettered their feat.
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And the talisman of this side was captain Modrić. Modrić was unplayable this month, setting Russia alight with his sensational play. 2 goals and an assist helped Modrić become the first ever Croatian to win the Golden Ball.
He inspired little Croatia to the world football's biggest game and in the process established himself as one of the greatest midfielders ever. A sad end to his World Cup shouldn't ever make people forget just how good Modrić was, a true master of the game.
