Modric Would Deserve Golden Ball, Says Croatia Teammate Mandzukic
Mario Mandzukic says teammate Luka Modric deserves to be a frontrunner for Russia 2018's Golden Ball after leading Croatia into the semifinals.
Luka Modric has been backed as a potential Golden Ball winner by Croatia team-mate Mario Mandzukic.
England await in Wednesday's last-four clash in Moscow, with the Real Madrid midfielder coming up against a number of his former Premier League rivals from his time at Tottenham.
Mandzukic says Modric deserves to be in contention for the Golden Ball, which was won by Lionel Messi in 2014.
"I've known Luka for a number of years, not only from the national team," Mandzukic told reporters.
"He deserves all the accolades he gets, from the media and public.
"He's worked very hard to get to this point, he's our captain and leader and if the team manages a great result and he gets the Golden Ball, he would deserve it."
