Real Madrid averted a crisis in the best possible way on Saturday by beating Barcelona 3-1 in the first empty Clasico, landing an early blow in La Liga's title race.
Luka Modric spoke about how he would always carry his football and organise games in underground shelters during the Croatian War of Independence.
Luka Modric has faced Lionel Messi 21 times and is the only player since 2008 other than Cristiano Ronaldo to beat him to the Ballon d'Or.
Ballon D'Or, the holder of the men's award, Luka Modric, and the world's most expensive player Neymar missed out as France Football unveiled nominees in four categories.
Germany were put under immense pressure from a Netherlands side seeking a winner but the visitors snatched victory in the 90th minute through Nico Schulz.
Santiago Solari was speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Ajax at the Bernabeu in the Champions League.
Atletico Madrid had 19 shots and, unusually for them, dominated possession.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed on this year's Ballon d'Or after winning it five times.
NDTV brings to you a compilation of the major happenings from the world of football in 2018.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been rivals for the past decade winning five Ballon d'Or trophies each.
Luka Modric won the 2018 Ballon d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo was second, with France and Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann completing the podium.
Luka Modric will be hoping to finally end the 10-year Ballon d'Or duopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Zinedine Zidane stepped down as coach after leading Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles, while Cristiano Ronaldo ended his nine-year association with Spanish giants.
Modric's success means Ronaldo remains tied with Messi having won FIFA's award in different guises five times each.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who like Lionel Messi is a five-time winner of the award.
La Liga boss Javier Tebas criticised clubs such as Inter, PSG and Manchester City and claimed he had doubts whether the Italian club had the cash to buy Luka Modric.
Atletico Madrid scored two goals in extra-time to beat Real Madrid 4-2 in the UEFA Super Cup.
Luka Modric has developed himself as the premier midfielder at Real Madrid.
