Lionel Messi controversially missed out on the award as Modric broke the 10-year rein that the Argentine and Cristiano Ronaldo held on the award.
Despite having the best goals and assists stats in Europe last season, Messi only placed fifth in the rankings.
Modric, who dragged his Croatia team to the World Cup final in the summer and had an outstanding season with Real Madrid, was a near unanimous choice as winner of the prestigious award.
But, in an interview with Globoesporte, former Chelsea player Luis said that Messi deserved to win the award above anyone else.
“When I get on the pitch my mission is to not let the opponents do anything, be that Messi or any other player,” he said.
“But after so many years I see a guy who continues to reinvent himself - he's played out wide and now he plays in the middle.
“Suddenly, I hear that he didn't deserve to win the Ballon d'Or because he had a bad season in 2018?
Messi has been the best player in the world over the last few years (Image: GETTY )
Luis made the comments in an interview with Globoesporte (Image: GETTY)
Barcelona have won four Champions Leagues with Messi (Image: GETTY )
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“He won La Liga, he won the Copa del Rey, he was the top scorer in Europe and provided loads of assists.”
Luis went on to joke that he mustn’t know anything about football if Messi wasn’t deserving of the award he’s won five times previously.
“Whoever thinks Messi doesn't deserve the Ballon d'Or isn't seeing what I'm seeing. Either that or I don't know anything about football,” he added.
“He's the best player at Barcelona, he scores goals and when he doesn't do that he provides assists or starts the plays that lead to goals – and he's done that for the last 10 years."