France Football will present the award to the best footballer in the world on 13 December, with Luka Modrić as one of the candidates for the first time.

Last year, with FIFA and France Football awarding the Golden Ball, Ivan Rakitić was among the 23 nominees, and Modrić's credentials were this time summarized as "the beautiful continuity of quality performances on both club and country levels".

Upon Darijo Srna's international retirement following the EURO 2016, Modrić took over as Croatia captain, and his performances for Croatia and Real Madrid are praised on a regular basis.

Modrić is currently recovering from a knee injury, and has 94 Croatia caps. In 2016, he has won both Champions League and European Supercup with Real Madrid.

Alongside Modrić, the list of nominees includes Agüero, Aubameyang, Bale, Buffon, Cristiano Ronaldo, De Bruyne, Dybala, Godin, Griezmann, Higuain, Ibrahimović, Iniesta, Koke, Kroos, Lewandowski, Lloris, Mahrez, Messi, Müller, Neuer, Neymar, Payet, Pepe, Pogba, Rui Patricio, Ramos, Suarez, Vardy, and Vidal.