Luka Modric won the Ballon d’Or on this day in 2018, marking the first time since 2007 the award did not go to either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder broke the stranglehold placed on France Football’s prestigious award by Messi and Ronaldo in the previous decade at a ceremony in Paris. Argentina forward Messi and former Real team-mate Ronaldo and had each won the Ballon d’Or on five occasions since Brazilian Kaka did so in 2007. In his acceptance speech, Modric said: “It’s a unique feeling. I am happy, proud and honoured. I have sensational emotions at the moment that are really hard to describe in words. “First of all, I would like to thank my team-mates and coaches at Real Madrid and all the people who work for Real Madrid, all my coaches and team-mates with the national team, all those who voted for me and of course, my family, my wife and kids. “They are fulfilling me as a person and helping me in all aspects to be successful as a professional. “As a kid, we all have dreams. My dream was to play for a big club, to win important trophies. I dreamed about it, but the Ballon d’Or was more than a childhood dream for me and it’s a real honour and a privilege to hold this trophy.” Modric’s recognition was reward for a fine 12 months during which he helped his club lift the Champions League for the third successive season before playing a key role in Croatia’s surge to the 2018 World Cup final. He won the Golden Ball for his contribution in Russia and was named the Best FIFA Footballer of the Year, and was the first Croatian to claim the Ballon d’Or. Modric, now 38, is still playing for Real Madrid and helped his country to the World Cup semi-finals last year in Qatar. Read More Eddie Howe salutes performance as Newcastle end gruelling week with Man Utd win Ding Junhui beats Judd Trump to set up UK final showdown with Ronnie O’Sullivan Pep Guardiola knows Man City fans will be behind team if ‘bad moments’ arrive Win ‘blows belief into Everton’ after points deduction – Sean Dyche Dwight McNeil fires Everton to morale-boosting win at Nottingham Forest Paul Heckingbottom stands by his work as Sheffield United lose again

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Rangers and PSV meet for a second year in succession with a place in the Champions League group stages on the line. The two-legged play-off encounter will determine which club is in the draw for the tournament proper on Thursday 31 August. It was the Scottish side that progressed from this stage in 2022 with a narrow away victory, but Michael Beale’s side have endured a mixed start to the new season. PSV, meanwhile, looked in good form in dispatching SK Sturm Graz by a 7-2 aggregate scoreline in the third qualifying round. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Rangers vs PSV? The first leg of the Champions League play-off between Rangers and PSV is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 22 August at Ibrox in Glasgow. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7.30pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+, the streaming home of the rebranded TNT Sports. Team news Ianis Hagi and Ridvan Yilmaz have been omitted from the Rangers squad, with the former potentially moving closer to an exit from the club. James Tavernier and Todd Cantwell were among those not involved in the cup win over Greenock Morton, but should return for the first leg. Phillipp Mwene and Patrick van Aanholt have remained in the Netherlands due to injuries, leaving Peter Bosz with a slight problem at left back. New signing Sergino Dest is available after his loan move from Barcelona went through on Monday, but this first leg may come too soon for a full debut. Predicted line-ups Rangers XI: Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Cifuentes, Cantwell, Jack, l; Sima, Danilo, Dessers. PSV Eindhoven: Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Boscagli, Sambo; Veerman, Sangare; Bakayoko, Til, Vertessen; De Jong. Odds Rangers win 2/1 Draw 13/5 PSV win 7/5 Prediction A score draw leaves things in the balance ahead of next week’s second leg. Rangers 2-2 PSV Read More England’s impact will last far longer than pain of World Cup final defeat Everton condemn ‘vile’ racist abuse aimed at midfielder Amadou Onana Mason Greenwood will not play for Manchester United again, club announce

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