By Michael Place
MOSCOW, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Luka Modric says he is not thinking about individual accolades as he focuses on helping Croatia to a historic victory in the World Cup final against France on Sunday.
The 32-year-old has been touted as a possible winner of this year's Ballon d'Or, awarded to the world's best player, for his performances at Russia 2018 and for playing a key role in Real Madrid's third straight Champions League title in May.
Not since Kaka in 2007 has a player other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo won football's top individual prize.
"I've repeated several times that I'm focused on the team's success," Modric told a news conference at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Saturday.
"When you're mentioned in that context, it's very nice, it's pleasing, but I don't worry myself about that. I want my team to win and hopefully we win [on Sunday]. Other things are outside my control. What I want is success for the national team. Individual awards are not a priority for me."
Modric hasn't always been so highly regarded and he was rejected by Hajduk Split when he was a teenager because of his small and slight frame. He was then signed by their rivals Dinamo Zagreb, which provided the launching pad for his career.
When asked about the difficulties he faced as a youngster, Modric, who stands 1.72 meters and weighs 66 kilograms, said he always had inner belief that he could succeed.
"I've always ignored such talk," the playmaker said. "I have never doubted myself even if others did, I always believed I could get to where I am today and thank God this came true.
"You don't have to be a giant to play football, I am happy with where I am and I never cared what anyone else said, it only further motivated me."
Modric hailed the impact of Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic, who took charge last October when the team's place in Russia was in doubt.
"We are in the World Cup final, that was the influence of the coach," he said. "He came into the picture at a very difficult moment ... In the first game, he talked us up to give us self-belief and told us we were still good players despite this crisis.
"He brought us calmness, he perked us up and what we most like is his sincerity and his attitude towards each and every player. We like having him around, he's shown his influence, not just as a coach but more importantly as a human being."
