Real Madrid and Croatia star Luka Modric has claimed the 2018 Ballon d'Or at a ceremony in Paris. It is the first time since 2007 that the award has gone to a player other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. Modric, who is the first Croatian to win the Ballon d'Or, beat off competition from former Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo, who was second, and France's World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann in third place. Real Madrid's Luka Modric celebrates with the Ballon d'Or award during the Golden Ball award ceremony at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, Monday, Dec. 3, 2018. Lyon's Ada Hegerberg was named the first winner of the women's Ballon d'Or.

Source: Evening echo December 03, 2018 21:56 UTC