Luka Modrić played in the starting lineup and had a nearly perfect game until he was substituted in the 105th minute for fellow Croat Mateo Kovačić.
Real Madrid have won the Club World Cup Championship! In the final of the Club World Cup in Japan, Real Madrid beat home team Kashima Antlers 4:2, making this the 82nd trophy in the club's rich history, reports Vecernji List on 18 December 2016. The hero of the match was 2016 Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo who scored a hat-trick and also confirmed that in 2016, he is the best in the world.
Index.hr reports on 18 December 2016 that along with the dominant European champions winning the world title, a selection of FIFA jury also picked out who should be individually awarded for their play during the tournament.
Right behind this tournament's Golden Ball winner Cristiano Ronaldo was Luka Modrić who was the winner of the Silver Ball. In Japan, Modrić was his usual engine during Real’s matches and in the semifinals he was declared Man of the Match.
Index.hr reports on 18 December 2016 that since Modrić moved from London to Madrid in 2012, he is not only one of the best players in the world in his position, but he has won his 7th trophy with Real Madrid. Modrić has now twice raised his biggest trophy as winners of the Champions League, he won one Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, two UEFA Super Cups and today the title of World Club Champion. Modrić also has five titles with Dinamo, three league titles and two Croatian Cups.
