Luka Modric has been named the 2014 Croatian Footballer of the Year thanks to his exploits with Real Madrid over the past 12 months.
Despite being currently injured, the midfielder played a key role in Los Blancos’ triumphant pursuit of a 10th European Cup last season to land the individual honour for a fourth time.
“My teammates ask me when I'll be back because they’d like me to be fit again soon, but the team are playing well without me,” he said upon receiving the award at a children’s hospital in Zagreb.
“My objective is to make a full return and be ready to play again.”
A succession of former Croatia internationals, including ex-La Liga stars Ivan Leko and Goran Vlaovic, acted as judges.
Prior to this year, Modric's last award came in 2011, having lost out to Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic – whom he beat by 13 votes – for successive terms.
