If Luka Modric played for Spain...

CROATIA defender Dejan Lovren says teammate Luka Modric would be a contender for the Ballon d’Or award if he was Spanish or German and is under-valued because of his nationality.

Modric scored a superb solo goal in Croatia’s impressive 3-0 win over Argentina and he was also on target, from the penalty spot, in the opening win over Nigeria.

The Real Madrid midfielder has formed a strong midfield partnership with Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic but Lovren feels that Modric’s ability is under-rated.

“It is a real pleasure to play with Luka Modric, who is one of the best players in the world right now,” said the Liverpool defender.

“Modric would probably be getting more attention than he is right now if he was a German or Spanish player. He would maybe even be a Ballon d’Or winner.

“Because we are a smaller country, he does get less attention than he deserves. But we are all football lovers and we know Modric is an incredible player. He is one of the best in the world right now,” he said.

No Croatian has ever won the annual award for the world’s best player although Davor Suker finished second in 1998, the year Croatia reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.

With Croatia already assured of a place in the last 16, coach Zlatko Dalic has indicated he will field a largely second string side against Iceland tomorrow as he looks to protect six players who have yellow cards against their name.

A second yellow would lead to a suspension.