Tuttosport: Ballon d’Or winner returns to the Milan derby – Modric joins illustrious list

The Milan derby is a fixture steeped in history and there have been some huge names to play in it, with a new addition to the list coming.

As Tuttosport (via MilanPress) report this morning, the derby will see a Ballon d’Or winner return to the pitch thanks to Luka Modric’s arrival. He joined from Real Madrid in the summer on a free transfer, and he ends a drought that has lasted for over 10 years.

In fact, a Ballon d’Or winner has not been seen in the Milan derby since May 2014, when Kakà won his last derby against Inter (1-0). Since then, therefore, there has been over a decade without a player who has won the most prestigious individual award.

Throughout the history of the match, several winners of the award have played a starring role. The first was Luis Suarez in the 1960s, and it continued into the mid-2010s, when both Milanese clubs were in a bit of a decline.

In order, here’s who has played in the Milan derby at least once as a Ballon d’Or winner: Luis Suarez, Gianni Rivera, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Paolo Rossi, Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Lothar Matthaus, Jean-Pierre Papin, Roberto Baggio, George Weah, Matthias Sammer, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, Andriy Shevchenko, Fabio Cannavaro, Kaka.

Modric, despite being 40 years of age, has already shown that he is far from over the hill. In fact, he has become the literal centrepiece of Massimiliano Allegri’s tactical plans, having settled into the Regista role well thanks to his quality and experience.