'People don't realise how good Benzema is'

Having claimed the Ballon d'Or last week, every media outlet worth its salt wants a piece of Modric, who has been giving interview after interview since picking up the gong.

On Sunday, it was the turn of 'Téléfoot' to release their exclusive interview with the Croat. Whilst a number of topics were tackled, one of the most eye-catching excerpts came when Modric lauded Benzema, calling him one of Madrid's "most important" players.

"Yes, Karim is a great person and a great goalscorer. I don't think people realise how good he is," Modric enthused.

"They don't know how important his qualities are to our team," he continued, before moving on to discuss fellow team-mate Raphael Varane.

Unsurprisingly, Modric claimed that Varane is one of the best in the world and recalled a couple of exchanges between the pair in recent months following the World Cup final and Ballon d'Or gala.

"Raphael is a great player, he's one of the best in the world in my opinion. He congratulated me on winning the Ballon d'Or and he wasn't sad (to have not won it himself)," Modric revealed.

"It reminded me of what he said to me after the World Cup final. That despite not winning the World Cup, with a bit of luck I was going to win the Ballon d'Or."