Luka Modric reveals the Real Madrid players all lost a bet about Cristiano Ronaldo before he left for Juventus
The Croatian dynamo said Real Madrid players were so convinced the Portuguese superstar would stay that they made bets on it with eachother
LUKA MODRIC has revealed that he and Real Madrid team-mates were so convinced Cristiano Ronaldo would stay in the summer that they made bets with each other on it.
For years there had always been speculation about a potential move for the five-time Ballon D'or winner - but his multi-million pound move to Juventus caught everyone by surprise.
So much so that Modric and his Madrid counterparts were willing to bet that he would stay.
Speaking to L'Equipe, he said: "I did not think that Zidane was going to go, nor Ronaldo.
"When the rumour about Cristiano came up we made bets among ourselves in the dressing room and we were sure he was going to stay, but everyone makes his life choices."
Modric has enjoyed a stunning year in the game, winning his third Champions League title for Real Madrid as well as captaining Croatia the World Cup final.
But the former Spurs midfielder does not believe he deserves the award
He said: "I do not appreciate the overexposure of the media, frankly, I do not care much about going further in this area.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is in another level of football and it is normal that he is also from the media point of view, I prefer simplicity.
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"To be honest, I do not like to talk like that and say: 'Yes, I'm the one who deserves the Ballon d'Or.'
"The important thing for me is to be in the field as I have been for months, this year 2018 has undoubtedly been the best of my career and my only goal is to continue at this level."
Ronaldo has had a good start to his Juve career, notching up four goals in eight appearances.
In recent weeks the Portuguese superstar has also been in the centre of rape accusations from an American woman - an allegation which he strongly denies.