The Croatian signaled out past stars who were unable to win the award, including the former Inter midfielder
Wesley Sneijder took to Instagram to congratulate Luka Modric after the Real Madrid star dedicated his recent Ballon d'Or to the Dutchman and other players that were never able to capture the award.
Modric was recognized as the winner on Monday, topping Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann to win the award with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi rounding out the top five.
The Croatian's win ended Messi and Ronaldo's duopoly, with the two having won each of the last 10 awards dating back to 2007.
Modric became the first player since Kaka to upset the Messi-Ronaldo dominance, and the Real Madrid star went on to dedicate his award to "all these players that probably deserved to win but didn't".
He singled out Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sneijder, with the Dutch star, currently on the books at Qatar Stars League club Al-Gharafa, responding via Instagram.
"Playing against you was both difficult and enjoyable," the former Inter star said in the post.
"Seeing you dedicating the Ballon d'Or to other players including myself shows your greatness yet humbleness.
"Completely deserved Luka, congratulations!"
Sneijder was unlucky not to be recognized for his 2010 campaign, one which saw the midfielder lead Inter to the treble.
In addition, Sneijder guided the Netherlands to the World Cup final, where he was recognized with the Silver Ball despite falling to Spain in the final.
Despite his successes, Sneijder did not make the Ballon d'Or top three that season, with Lionel Messi topping Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Iniesta to win the award.
as_win10
180
Wesley Sneiijder Xavi Hernandez Andres Iniesta Steven Gerrard These four deserved Ballon d'Or once in their life. Four midfield legends.
SylvanusLahai
175
this award is not only given based on the amount of goals a player scores . Modric deserves it and I will like to say kudos to him for ending the duopoly of the two greatest players on the surface of this planet.
L10NELMPK
111
Do not doubt yourself, you are truly deserved this year 2018 Balond'or. Let "Check last Monday" fan boys cry even more harder.
Rohcdiopsy
59
The past ten years no football player has come anywhere near Messi and Ronaldo and it is a shame to bitterly try to water down the successes of these two guys,Modric's controversial awarding has not changed anything. Ronaldo and Messi have continued to deliver uninterrupted by the Ballon ďOŕ award. Neymar in my view was closing in very well until he shot himself in the foot by rolling all over the pitch in hyped exaggerated pain each time he perceived there was an infringement on him at the World Cup,those silly acts have taken something from his game and frankly he's not improved his game since he joined PSG. We shall still enjoy and witness Ronaldo and Messi continue to mesmerize the game of football and the other Doctored awards continue to lose the significance and fair play associated with football,already one journalist from South America says his submissions were twisted others probably don't want to come out for various reasons but eventually the truth will come out. If the award was given to one of the French players maybe it will have left a bit of some lingering doubts in me of the process used.