Real Madrid ace Luka Modric has sung the praises of teammate Raphael Varane.
Varane predicted that Modric might win the award on the night of the World Cup final.
"He is one of the best players in the world and he congratulated me for winning the Ballon d'Or," Modric said of the centre-back in an interview with Telefoot.
"He wasn't sad not have won it himself.
"He reminded me recently of what he told me on the day of the World Cup, that with a bit of luck I was going to win the Ballon d'Or despite not winning the World Cup."