Luka Modric reveals which teammate will win multiple Ballon d’Or

Luka Modric is now in his 22nd season as a professional and he’s achieved all that there is to win with Real Madrid. He’s played alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos but admitted recently that one current Madrid star is capable of doing things that he’s never seen before.

Last summer Kylian Mbappé finally arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu after a decade-long courtship. After a slightly shaky start, Mbappé now looks like an integral part of the Madrid starting XI and Modric explained what sets him apart from his contemporaries.

“He is one of the best players in the world. He has the ability to do things that have never been seen before. What impressed me most about Mbappé was his personality, his way of being. He’s an incredible guy, very humble, always willing to joke around, help his teammates. He’s very calm,” Modric explained.

‘Mbappé can win several Ballon d’Or’

After being linked with Real Madrid for so long, there was an assumption that Mbappé would slot effortlessly into the team crafted by Carlo Ancelotti in recent seasons. Madrid went into the 2024/25 season as the reigning Spanish and European champions and the addition of perhaps the world’s most unstoppable forward was expected to take the team to another level.

But in the early months there were some teething problems, as Mbappé found himself occupying the same spaces as Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham. The Frenchman has been deployed as a central striker this year and hasn’t always looked completely at home at the tip of the attack, but Modric points out that his numbers have been extremely impressive.

“From the outside, we can say that he hasn’t had his best season, but he’s scored 30 goals—imagine if it were his best season. One of the best players I’ve seen. He’s a wonderful guy," the Croatian said.

When he left Paris for Madrid it looked like a natural progression for a player who had outgrown the limitations of the French league. At Madrid the expectations are greater but the platform for his talents is greater still. Modric believes that if Mbappé can fire the team to more titles, he has the chance to establish himself as the world’s best player.

Modric said: “I tell him to keep helping Real Madrid win games, I’m sure he’ll be one of the favorites to win not just one Ballon d’Or, but several."

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.