Modric: At the beginning a lot of people didn't believe in me

In an interview to be published in January, Luka Modric noted how most people didn't believe in him at the start of his career.

The Croatian has enjoyed a stellar career and was recently named as the Ballon d'Or, ending the 10-year reign of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

"It makes me happy that people have finally recognised everything I've achieved in my sports career," he said to GQ.

"I've had to win many things to make it happen and only then others have realised that football is not just goals, goals and goals."

The GQ Man of the Year Best Sportsman, after a fantastic year individually and collectively, the Croatian admitted that the path to the top hasn't been easy, and that he's had to overcome many obstacles.

"I've been surrounded by doubts since my childhood," he continued.

"Because of my physique, because of my height...

"Some thought those elements were important to succeed in life and in football, but I never doubted myself."

All of the difficulties that happened in his childhood helped him to become stronger.

"Thanks to that trust and that faith in myself, I came to the best club in the world," he added.

"At the beginning many people didn't believe in me either, it's part of my life, always surrounded by doubts, always hearing that no I won't reach the top.

"All the recognition, such as the FIFA World Player or the Ballon d'Or, are worth much more when you are aware that nobody has given you anything.

"Nothing has been given to me by anyone, I've had to work for it."