Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is tipped to end Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's decade of Ballon d'Or dominance when the winner is announced on Monday night.

Juventus striker Ronaldo and Barcelona forward Messi have both won the top prize, which has been awarded by France Football to the best male player every year since 1956, five times from 2008.

Brazilian playmaker Kaka was the last player other than Ronaldo and Messi to be victorious, in 2007 when starring for AC Milan.

However, Ronaldo and Messi could miss out this time around with speculation linking Croatian Modric with the Ballon d'Or, which will be presented at a ceremony hosted by David Ginola in Paris.

Former Tottenham player Modric has enjoyed an impressive year for both club and country.

The 33-year-old played an integral role in Real winning a fourth Champions League title in five years and then skippered Croatia to their first World Cup final in Russia.

As well as Ronaldo, Messi and Salah, France World Cup winners Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane plus Brazil skipper Neymar are among the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist that was released in October.

Source: Evening Standard

BDST: 1916 HRS, DEC 3, 2018
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