World Cup 2018: Top 10 best players of group stages

#1 Luka Modric

Croatia's greatest ever

And the best player of the group stages in this year’s World Cup was Luka Modric. When someone like Robert Prosinecki – who is regarded by many as the best Croatian player ever – claims that you are the best the country has ever produced, it just shows the impact you have made in the game.

Luka Modric has already cemented his place as the best Croatian player in the history of the game. An argument can also be made about him being the best midfielder of the modern era.

For that, however, he will need to take Croatia far in this World Cup – and his form, thus far, has been promising.

He has been the midfield engine of Croatia in the tournament and is the soul of their system. He averages 1.7 key-passes and 3.7 long-balls-per-game. On top of that, he not only scored a great goal against Argentina but has also made 1.7 tackles and 1.3 interceptions-per-game, forging his place as one of the game’s best all-round midfielders.