World Cup 2018 Final: Griezmann and Modric compete for the Golden Ball

The 2018 World Cup has gone through 62 matches. The big stars have all disappointed, and left Russia early to travel to avoid the summer heat, such as Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar...

So far, there are no outstanding individuals to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or. The 2018 World Cup final may decide the most prestigious individual award.

Griezmann and his determination to make amends

Antoine Griezmann still hasn't forgotten this moment two years ago, in the EURO 2016 final hosted by France.

In the semi-finals, France beat Germany - the strongest team in the world at that time - and Griezmann personally scored 6 goals. They were rated higher than Portugal.

But Les Bleus lost to Portugal in the final, with Eder scoring in extra time, a defeat that Griezmann, along with Paul Pogba, was a huge disappointment, as they failed to show their mettle.

“It was a really unforgettable moment. We can’t let that happen again,” Griezmann said after France beat Belgium and reached the World Cup final for the first time in 12 years.

Griezmann is dreaming of the Golden Cup title. To succeed, this 27-year-old star has changed a lot of the way he plays, putting aside individual factors and contributing more to the collective play.

After 6 matches, Griezmann has scored 3 goals, the same as young player Mbappe. Instead, he organizes the game and creates opportunities. Grizi has had 2 passes to score, more than any of his teammates.

If France win the World Cup after 12 years of waiting, the Ballon d'Or will most likely go to Griezmann. He just had a very outstanding season with Atletico, being the hero of the Europa League final.

Modric, the master of the game

“The Ballon d'Or? Who else deserves it more than Modric!”, Ivan Rakitic answered in a short interview right on the pitch, after Croatia came from behind to eliminate England 2-1 in the semi-finals.

Modric played a great match against England, although he made a mistake that led to a goal in the 5th minute.

At 33, Modric has virtually no physical limitations. He played the full 120 minutes in the last 16 and quarter-finals. In the semi-final, he only left the field in the 118th minute, when coach Dalic reinforced his defense to keep the score.

Modric is particularly good at passing. No player at the 2018 World Cup can match him in this regard.

Modric's passing is key to Croatia's tactics. He helps regulate the ball, control the pace of the game, relieves pressure on the defense, and always has a very dangerous way of launching attacks.

This is likely to be Modric's last World Cup. That's why he is using all his leadership qualities to create miracles with Croatia.

Reaching the final is a new chapter in history. But Modric and Croatia want more, to win their first World Cup - and become the smallest team from the world's smallest nation to achieve the feat.

Victory for Croatia also means Modric will win the Ballon d'Or. He has just had a spectacular season with Real Madrid, winning the Champions League for the third time in a row.

The last player to win the World Cup and the Ballon d'Or was Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, with Italy. Who among Griezmann and Modric will follow in Cannavaro's footsteps and end the decade-long dominance of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?