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#1 Luka Modric (Croatia)
Luka Modric arrived at this World Cup with a reputation of being an overachiever with Real Madrid but often underperforming for Croatia. The national side had not seen the face of knockout stages since 1998. Leading the side in Russia, Modric not only managed to enhance his legendary status, he ensured the Croatian national team became a household name and also the neutral's favourites.
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From tearing Argentina apart in the group stage to missing a penalty against Denmark and then scoring one in the shootout, Modric was undoubtedly Croatia's go-to guy. He scored in the shootout against Russia and then proved to be unstoppable in the second half against England.
Getting into spaces between the lines, delivering passes with the perfect weight, knowing when to release and when to hold onto the ball, Modric displayed a midfield masterclass in the World Cup. The 32-year-old also combined his playmaking skills with an insane work rate. There were no apprehensions yesterday when Modric won the Golden Ball.
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