Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has credited his success this year on ‘hard work’ and believes people have realised ‘football isn’t just goals’.
The Croatian international ended the 10-year duopoly of success from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or this week, adding to his FIFA The Best title from earlier this year.
“The journey has been very long and tough, but because of that I am even happier about all that is happening now,” Modric told an interview with GQ Magazine.
“All of the recognition, such as the FIFA World Player award or the Ballon d'Or, tastes better when you're aware that nobody gifted you anything.
“Nobody has gifted anything to me, all that I have achieved has come through work and it makes me happy that people have finally recognised all that I've achieved in my sporting career.
“It is true that I have had to win a lot for this to happen, such as three Champions League title in a row and reaching the World Cup with a nation as small as Croatia, something that was unimaginable.
“Only then have others realised that football isn't just goals, goals and goals.”
