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Ranking the 30 Ballon d’Or nominees

By Carter Mulvihill

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 11: FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid answer media questions during the FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 11: FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid answer media questions during the FIFA Ballon dOr 2015 press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /
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17. Luka Modric

Dortmund, Germany 27.09.2016, UEFA Champions League – 2016/17 Season, Group F – Matchday 2, BV Borussia Dortmund – Real Madrid, 2:2, Luka Modric (Real Madrid) (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Dortmund, Germany 27.09.2016, UEFA Champions League – 2016/17 Season, Group F – Matchday 2, BV Borussia Dortmund – Real Madrid, 2:2, Luka Modric (Real Madrid) (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Luka Modric was sensational in his first two seasons with Real Madrid. After an injury-marred 2014-15 season, the Croatian reverted back to form this year and earned a rightful Ballon d’Or nomination.

A classic playmaker who can operate as a No. 10 or in a deeper role, Modric thrived playing just in front of Toni Kroos last season. No Real Madrid player makes or completes as many passes as Modric, who was named to the 2015-16 La Liga Team of the Year after his outstanding campaign.

His real contributions, however, came in the Champions League. For the second time in three years, he helped lead Las Blancas  to glory in Europe’s highest competition, and for the second time in that span, he was named to the Champions League best XI, leading some pundits to say he’s Real Madrid’s top player after Ronaldo.

Though not a prolific goal scorer, Modric started his Euros with a bang as he scorched in a 25-yard missile in Croatia’s opening group stage game versus Turkey. It was his 11th goal for his country in his now decade-long international career.

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